Al Gore, Ian Tomlinson and more

So, Al Gore (carbon whore) will not be prosecuted over allegations made against him by a masseuse.

Which means he can go back to hiding from U.S. 'We Are Change' activists. And to being far too scared busy to accept the repeated offer of a televised debate on the climate with Lord Monckton.

In other news, you'll have probably noticed very little corporate media reporting of the protests over the decision not to prosecute ANYONE over the death of Ian Tomlinson. There is, however, this article in the more independent online media.

Not that the mainstream have forgotten Mr. Tomlinson. The Sun newspaper has a photograph it wants you to see.

Fellow blogger Corrugated Soundbite has another news story, with a UK relevant angle.

This blog won't comment on the latter just yet...

Did anybody in the UK hear the news headline of 'France declares war'..?

Didn't see this on any news report in the UK. Interesting.

Anyway, it seems that France has formally "declared war" on Al Qaeda.

Which is a bit strange.

We thought it was just America and us in the UK who declared unwinnable wars on some puddled ideology.

Except, as Robin Cook told us just before he died, that's not exactly what Al Qaeda originally was...

Now, we understand that France's catalyst was something pretty awful and it is, in many ways, good to see a country reacting angrily to something that has been done to one of it's citizens. Really, good for them... bravo.

Our UK Government seemingly prefers to deport all British citizens to all and sundry - for "crimes" such as questioning 'climate change', no doubt - rather than defending our rights and freedoms under our national constitution.

But how winnable will France's war be?

We've been in Afghanistan for how long? Doing what? Having the might of two of the strongest military forces in the world trying to defeat some blokes in sandals armed with pea-shooters and mobilising themselves on camels?

Come on...

Any more pointless wars the global elite fancy getting us into?

Iran? North Korea? World War III?

We have Israel and Palestine at it again today.

Economic crisis, curtailing of civil liberties, lots of war...

...sound familiar?

Take your pick of the source for the French declaration of war story. You can have Al Jazeera or you can have Australia's Sydney Morning Herald. Sit on Google and you'll find a few more.

Read your news from lots of global sources. Put all the stories together and, if things start sounding dodgy, head for the hills.

Now, where are those storable food websites? Really must stop procrastinating and - instead - start planning for how to try and survive what the political idiots are getting the planet into.

Climate change? Might take hundreds of years, even if the propaganda is true.

A great big war following an economic collapse on a global scale. Uhh-ohh. Scary times, these be.

And with December 21st, 2012 just around the corner, too.

Are you a Conservative still hoping to see 'Eurosceptism' from your party? Don't hold your breath... says the Minister for Europe.

So, did you hold your nose and vote Conservative hoping for the best? Well, that was a waste of a vote then.

Here's David Lidington MP, Minister for Europe, telling you that the Government is going to just carry on - defending anything and everything and being prepared to argue with the British people who want their sovereignty back in the process.

He doesn't even know his own history. Listen to him laughingly try to suggest that the European Common Market was a British idea, that we were the originator.

No, Lidington. The entire thing was the brainwave of the Nazis and other European fascists of the time chipped in. If you didn't know that already, please go to Amazon or Play and buy 'The Tainted Source' by John Laughland - ISBN 0-7515-2324-0.

Anyway, enough dribble. Onto the cock-waffle:

Meanwhile - following the announcement of a referendum to permit some electoral gerrymandering - it has been announced that we might get a referendum once every blue moon about excessive Council Tax rises. These are the referendum votes that British people couldn't be trusted with when it came to the Lisbon Treaty. Now they're spitting out referendum proposals left, right and centre - on all range of topics barring the one we want and were promised by all three establishment parties... the referendum on on our relationship with Europe.

Don't blame me, I voted UKIP!

Message to Prime Minister Frank Spencer: Pull the other one!

The Prime Minister, Frank Spencer David Cameron, has done a little whoopsie again.

Faced with a lot of harassments from his own backbenchers, he has written them all a letter.

But his words have about as much basis in fact and truth as one of little baby Jessica's bedtime lullabies about the man-in-the-moon.

He writes: "You can see our manifesto priorities set out in the coalition agreement and the Queen’s Speech: radical welfare reform, free schools, protecting the NHS, scrapping Labour’s job tax, a cap on immigration, and a referendum guaranteed by law on any future European treaty that shifts powers from Britain to the EU."

Now, obviously, the bold text is our own emphasis - duh! - but come off it Spencer Cameron. A guaranteed referendum by law on shifting any more powers from Britain?

I suppose we imagined - just the other day - Theresa May deciding to allow foreign coppers the jurisdiction to come on to British soil then, did we? (despite it being contrary to our national constitution)

Nope, hang on... we didn't imagine it. It's all detailed here.

Seems our Prime Minister can't tell the truth to his own backbenchers - so what hope have we idiots, the people got?

Some mothers do 'ave 'em, huh?

Resign Frank 'Dave'. Give the job to a conservative.

The Week in Review

The ten most read posts on The Talking Clock over the last seven days were:

1. Our Sunday Paper Review from 25th July
2. UKIP & Lord Monckton warn of gathering New World Order
3. EU backlash as Daily Mail readers tell Cameron to quit
4. Modern Britain - Tomlinson death and rendition
5. Treacherous Brokeback Coalition betrays the British public
6. Depleted uranium used in Labour's 'illegal' war
7. Magna Carta protecting your freedoms and liberties
8. BBC Question Time - burqas and being butt-naked
9. Brands Backing Britain - the launch of our campaign
10. Ian Tomlinson cop and a bit of history

A varied mix of interesting blog posts from indie bloggers and paid contributors from the mainstream this week. Here were the reads which most caught our eye:

1. UK News Network launches The Crisis Report
2. Gerald Warner exposes the terms 'left' and 'right'
3. Gerald Warner hits out over Ian Tomlinson
4. Dick Puddlecote deconstructs one MP quite nicely
5. EU Referendum not liking being ruled by Europe
6. EU Referendum on Greeks baring rifts
7. EU Referendum finds the conspiracy in plain sight
8. The Slog on policing and Theresa May's surrender
9. Dan Hannan continues bating 'the lefties'
10. Big Brother Watch on Big Brother, the cottage queen

Thank you to all those of you who have visited this humble blog over the last week and a special thanks to those who have contributed some thoughtful comments.

It is nice to know that there is a community of like-minded, freedom-loving, patriotic libertarians out there, after all.

Ian Tomlinson: A Public Service Announcement

See also Old Holborn.

If, like we, you cannot be there - or feel unsafe in attending for any reason (can't think why!) - then be sure to contact your MP to support the EDM proposed by Green MP Caroline Lucas.

No one prosecuted over Ian Tomlinson death, but man sent to jail for six weeks for throwing eggs at Tory Sayeeda Warsi

Remember George Galloway talking about a 'simmering rage' brewing amongst members of the public?

Well, one wonders how this story helps.

Ian Tomlinson, an innocent man, dies in the middle of a G20 protest of which he is not part just after being battered by a baton wielding thug in a police uniform.

Jean Charles de Menezes, an innocent man, is shot and killed on the tube after being 'mistaken' for a terrorist. No one responsible is ever held to account.

A 23-year old man throws eggs at Sayeeda Warsi, the Conservative Party's co-Chairman.

He gets sent to prison for six weeks.

And what happened when John Prescott punched someone - admittedly under provocation - while out canvassing?

Nothing.

And how many of the hundreds of MPs who fiddled their expenses have been prosecuted?

God forbid that someone should throw an egg. How ever did those early theatre actors cope when audiences were far more interactive than they are today?

Disgraceful.

All animals are equal. But some animals are more equal than others.

Obviously.

Addendum: This original post was written based on a report from The Guardian. After reading a fuller description of the background in the Daily Mail, we retract a large amount of our criticism. In fact, now that the full story is indicated, we think the egg thrower in this case deserved everything he has got.

Oooh, Betty! Frank Spencer, Prime Minister speaking...

The Prime Minister sets out UK Foreign Policy

"There is no one more patriotic about Britain, our history, our place in the world, our potential, than me," claims PM David Cameron.

Really? I think we, your electorate will be the judge of that.

As you know, Cameron is on his World Tour.

He went to America and forgot when they joined the Second World War (insulting many at home), he then insulted Israel while trying to clumsily say something about Palestine, next he called on the EU to allow Turkey in while allowing his Home Secretary to trash British national sovereignty still further, now he's upsetting Pakistan and causing a huge diplomatic row with them...

...do we think we might get him back to Britain before or after he causes World War III..?

Does anybody have the uneasy feeling yet that we have, somehow, managed to end up with Frank Spencer as Prime Minister?

The Prime Minister has done a whoopsie. It's not his fault; he's had a spot of trouble. He's had a lot of harassments, lately...

...him and the man-in-the-moon, eh Jessica?

Goodness, let's hope no-one at the Foreign Office lets him get involved with North Korea or Iran. Some mothers will flipping-well have 'em if he does...

Are there any patriots NOT entering into 'Lawful Rebellion'..?

First, we saw Captain Ranty's 'How To...' guide.

Now Corrugated Soundbite is following suit.

We've followed the 'Lawful Rebellion' and declaration of 'Freeman' status websites for quite a while.

Mrs. Clock has been more an avid reader of websites like TPUC than your own host, The Talking Clock.

Has anyone who has sent one of these affidavits to the Palace any experiences that they would like to share?

One understands that there is a blanket policy of just forwarding these from Buck House to the Foreign Office. And then what?

Under the last lot, we feared that would mean ending up on a database with the risk of being dragged from our beds and forced onto a train to end up in a camp somewhere.

Anyone sent one of these affidavits off since the different-branded-same-Government took up the masquerade of governing?

Obviously, we ask as, having read the constitution and knowing what is going on, we do believe that this is the only course of action left...

Magna Carta says... naff off, EU. Naff off, Big Brother.

How interesting. When one sits down and reads our nation's great documents... you know - those documents that we are brainwashed into believing do not exist.

So, when you find the text of them on the statute books - yes, even on the statute books (a strange place to find something we're conned into believing is not written) - one really should find someone to make good use of them.

How about this from the 1297 version of Magna Carta?

"We nor our Heirs shall procure or do any thing whereby the Liberties in this Charter contained shall be infringed or broken. And if any thing be procured by any person contrary to the premises, it shall be had of no force nor effect."

Make merry, wise Englishmen.

Quote of the Day: 28th July 2010

"We all know the old phrase about the disaster supposed to follow when the lunatics are put in charge of the asylum. There could be no better illustration of it than the decision to put [Lib Dem MP Chris] Huhne in charge of Britain's energy policy. The only way he can hope to honour his promise that 'the lights will not go out on my watch' is for him to be removed from his post before darkness engulfs us all."

- Christopher Booker, 'Has any minister in history seemed more hopelessly unfit to do his job?' in the Daily Mail

..and that's only one of the more flirtatious lines Booker offers on the topic...

Ian Tomlinson death: Cop 'might be' sacked

While there is still much public outrage at news no-one will be prosecuted over the death of Ian Tomlinson, the Evening Standard reports that the riot squad officer at the centre of controversy faces disciplinary action which could lead to him getting the sack.

The news comes after Dominic Grieve, the Conservative Attorney General gave his support to the CPS decision to prosecute absolutely no-one over Tomlinson's death.

Grieve was responding to a question from a Labour MP which, while being worded in line with public opinion conveniently overlooked the fact that Mr. Tomlinson's death happened on the Labour Government's watch.

The Labour MP concerned, Emily Thornberry, had asked: "Do you believe that if a member of the public had launched an unprovoked attack on a police officer, which immediately followed in the officer's death, and all that incident was on film, that a pathologist of highly dubious professionalism would have been appointed to investigate?"

Meanwhile, this blog has noted a number of people coming here having searched for details of any protest against the failure to give justice to Mr. Tomlinson.

For those people, you may like to know that a demonstration is due to take place in London on Friday. Details are online at the Old Holborn blog.

For our part, we demand that London Mayor Boris Johnson take control of this situation and make a public statement of what he intends to do to make sure that the events surrounding Ian Tomlinson's death - including the brutal response to legitimate political protest of which Tomlinson was not even part - are never allowed to occur on the streets of London ever again.

We want to know what Boris Johnson is doing about it, and we would like to hear him outline his position on the CPS decision.

EU backlash: Hundreds of Daily Mail online readers say David Cameron should quit; Theresa May signs up to the the final death warrant of sovereignty

Well, well. The honeymoon for the 'Brokeback Coalition' really is over.

Since the election in May, media commentators have pondered how long the coalition will stay together, speculated on what issue they might fall out, and tried to play soothsayer over whether it might be the LibDems or the Conservative backbenchers who revolt against the marriage-of-political-convenience first.

Yet, as it turns out, it would seem that it is the British public - you know, the people who matter - who may be the people to cause the rift.

The issue? The European Empire. And it's a double whammy...

One interesting barometer of public opinion is the online comments from members of the public that accompany 'newspaper' stories.

Over on the Daily Mail, there's a story about David Cameron calling for Turkey to be admitted to the European Empire. And, to paraphrase what he says, if you don't agree with him, then you're a racist.

Where have we heard such nonsense before? New Labour label-throwing tactic in place of a debate, anyone?

In response, hundreds of readers of that article have posted comments. The one which most catches our eye is the second most popular.

Posted by a 'Mike' from Thailand (?), it has garnered huge support. It expresses the view that: "Cameron must go, lets have a new election now. UKIP must be the new British peoples party."

Now, for the uninitiated, the Daily Mail comments system allows you to thumb up or thumb down.

The above comment - at the time of writing - has a positive score of over 1,500.

So, more than 1,500 Daily Mail online readers already want to see Cameron out of power than disagree with such a suggestion.

Meanwhile, flying in the face of public opinion, Theresa May has told the House of Commons that the 'Brokeback Coalition' is willing to sign the death warrant of British national sovereignty by opting-in to the European Investigation Order which will allow foreign police forces jurisdiction in the UK.

Theresa May, sweetheart, such a move is TREASON, dearest. Or have you not read the national constitution?

So, we again put the Government on notice. We will not accept a foreign police force on the shores of Britain.

We also give notice that we will disobey any statute that is signed which is unlawful under our national constitution. Sign what you like - we'll ignore it.

Fair Trials International are quoted by even the EU loving BBC as warning: "The Government has signed us up to a measure that has serious implications for stretched police forces and for civil liberties. Despite this, our elected representatives have had no opportunity to debate the proposal or the issues it raises. Unless vital new safeguards are introduced, the decision to rush into this ill thought-out measure will be regretted across Europe."

UKIP's leader Lord Pearson has condemned the move as 'disgraceful', warning: "This is a basic threat to our civil liberties."

Conservative backbencher Dominic Raab has bravely gone public with his discomfort - well, bravely when compared to most of the rest of his spineless colleagues. He is quoted by the Daily Express as saying: "Far from a tidying up exercise, this directive hands the EU strong powers over UK policing. It will put immense operational strain on British police forces, and undermine safeguards protecting innocent British citizens."

Open Europe are also warning of the effects of the treachery announced today. They write:

"The truth is that, although May did her best to push the 'nothing to see here line', the Government cannot guarantee how the final directive will look until after negotiations with other member states and MEPs in the European Parliament, which under the Lisbon Treaty now have powers to co-decide in justice and home affairs."

"May said that signing up to the directive did not present a loss of sovereignty. But John Redwood made the valid and important point that if the UK doesn't have the ability (which it doesn't) to opt out of the European Investigation Order if it ends up as something "different to what was advertised" after negotiations then this must imply a loss of sovereignty."

So much for your 'cast iron guarantee' or your 'lack democratic legitimacy' so 'we will not let matters rest there' soundbites, huh?

Betrayed by the spineless and treacherous.

So glad that we did our part by voting for UKIP... who did you vote for?

See also: UKIP - 'Continental Police Handover a Disgrace'

You tell 'em Monckton: UKIP's viral alert on the gathering New World Order

Quote of the Day: Hear this, you Tory tossers special

As the 'Brokeback Coalition' gets to the end of term, we thought we'd let the Conservative part of the love-in go off on their holidays with some very precise words ringing in their ears.

"We have not successfully rolled back the frontiers of the state in Britain, only to see them re-imposed at a European level with a European super-state exercising a new dominance from Brussels."

- Margaret Thatcher, September 1988

Got the hint from your recent glorious leader, you spineless Tory treachery-supporters?

We, the people will soon refuse to comply with or recognise ANYTHING that comes out of Europe. All three main Westminster parties have been put on notice.

We will not salute anything trying to rule over these shores from overseas, especially not from a fascist inspired organisation.

Not ever.

Dr. David Kelly won't go quietly, either...

While being very wrapped up in the fascinating reader comments on the Daily Mail's story regarding the EU (see previous blog post), there was another story in the Daily Mail which we wanted to mention, too.

Seems that the Dr. David Kelly story is not going to go away.

Now we have a former KGB agent claiming that he was told by a British spook contractor that the Iraqi weapons inspector was "exterminated".

And, fascinatingly, the overwhelming consensus of public opinion in the comments section seems to be suspicious of how Kelly met his death at the very least.

So, we have the Daily Mail pressurising for the truth over Dr. David Kelly's strange death; the Daily Express keeping it's ears open for any new evidence into Princess Diana's strange death; the Guardian and the Independent on Sunday being brave when it comes to the Bilderberg group...

...who said the mainstream media was crap?

One just needs to read the whole lot of them to find the information.

The cumulative effect seems to be a rapid awakening of the British public. If comments on mainstream newspaper websites are an indicator, the public awakening to such bizarre questions and related issues is certainly accelerating.

We may still, in this lifetime, find out what really happened to Dr. David Kelly - and Diana - after all.

Certainly, more people than ever seem to be aware that something isn't quite right.

Treacherous 'Brokeback Coalition' sides with foreign power to erode British civil liberties and freedoms

So much for 'referendum locks' and protecting and restoring British civil liberties.

Seems that the 'Brokeback Coalition' are bowing down to their Brussels masters and are set to allow foreign police forces jurisdiction on British soil; allowing them the ability to spy on us, to demand our DNA and to order our arrest.

Yet again, it seems that our written constitution, Magna Carta and Habeas Corpus and being subverted and are at risk of falling.

And all in the name of ignoring the will of the people while pledging blind obedience to the masters who nobody has ever elected in the fascist-inspired European Empire.

Don't believe us? The normally Conservative supporting Daily Mail tells it like it is. Don't like that source? How about the same story in the Daily Telegraph..?

The rights of the people under our constitution are being subverted so that, the biggest party in Parliament which claimed to be 'Eurosceptic' can, in fact, treacherously betray us as their Labour and LibDem colleagues did before them.

A plague on all their houses.

Our Government is corrupt and subverts the will of the people and the constitution, no matter who we elect. Parliament, therefore, no longer serves or represents the people. Our Parliament is illegitimate.

ADDENDUM: Are the British people getting clued up and waking up? Quite a few of the hundreds of reader's comments on the Daily Mail website make reference to 'treason' and 'New World Order'. Huge anti-Conservative Party, anti-David Cameron backlash too.

Sunday Paper Review: 25th July 2010

The Independent on Sunday bravely exposes Labour leadership hopeful Ed Balls as a Bilderberg member. It writes that he: "confessed that he had twice flown as a guest" in the private jet of former media tycoon Lord Black "after both had attended meetings of the shadowy international organisation the Bilderberg Group."

Exposed! Well done, Independent on Sunday for being brave enough.

Carne Ross - the UK’s Iraq expert at the UN from 1997-2002 - who recently told the Chilcot Inquiry to their face that they were allowing themselves to become seen as a whitewash - is back in the newspapers. Writing for The Observer, he claims that "the inquiry is being prevented by 'deep state' forces from establishing the government's true motivation for invading Iraq." He also tells how: "It was made clear to me, and to journalists attending the hearing, that if I mentioned specific documents the broadcast of my testimony would be cut off. Other forms of retribution (Official Secrets Act prosecution?) hung in the air. It was a form of subtle intimidation."

You're very brave, Mr. Ross. And with threats of "other forms of retribution" in the air, we remind you to put on public record that you are not now, never have been and never will be the type of person to contemplate suicide...

The Sunday Telegraph has a story that will test the bonds of love in the Brokeback Coalition. They report on their 'investigation' which has found that huge cuts are being planned for NHS services which will include massive reductions in "some of the most basic and common operations, including hip and knee replacements, cataract surgery and orthodontic procedures." Well, as long as they make us pay more tax for it and don't trouble their global banking friends for any of our trillions of pounds back, huh?

The Mail on Sunday has a story about Labour's Harriet Harman who, it claims, "lobbied the Home Office on behalf of a Labour Party donor's immigrant wife who is living in Britain unlawfully." Need we add any comment? This is the Labour Party, they're talking about.

The News of the World goes serious and reveals the findings of an investigation which reveals more from the politician expenses scandal. As the NOTW puts it: "EIGHT MPs who went at the last Election stand to walk off with over £1MILLION between them after flogging off second homes largely paid for and done up on handouts."

The Sunday Express asserts that the tyranny against smokers in Britain could have some unlikely victors - Taliban and Al Qaeda terrorists. The claim arises from a defence report examining how cigarette smuggling is likely to hugely increase should the Labour ban on tobacco sale displays be implemented.

Smoking bans in pubs have, of course, 'radicalised' many smokers... who have switched to buying all of their booze from supermarkets instead of going out to pubs. A large number of idiotic MPs do not see the link, apparently...

The People has "shocking images" of "a gang of drunken teens" who are "shamelessly fondling each other on a beach" in Newquay. Oh, the joys of being young and being able to 'pull'. Some folk are obviously very uncomfortable with that. Can't think of any reasons to suggest as to why...

And finally... anyone for seeing boyband McFly getting their clothes off? Yet again? The News of the World has the pictures. They should just become the world's first ever full-time naturist boyband and be done with it.

Labour's "illegal" war - depleted uranium was used in Iraq, Minister states

After Nick Clegg's proclamation as Deputy Prime Minister (who may or may not have been speaking in a 'personal capacity') that the Iraq war was illegal, the story gets even worse.

In a written ministerial answer to Colchester's Liberal Democrat MP Bob Russell, Liam Fox - the Conservative Secretary of State for Defence - has told Parliament, and the nation, yet another dirty little secret about Labour's war.

His written answer states: "Approximately 1.9 metric tonnes of DU ammunition was expended in the 2003 Iraq War by UK forces."

And here's the full thing in Hansard.

Not in our mainstream news, the hat-tip for this story comes from Alex Jones, citing Press TV.

Press TV reports that "Iraq's Ministry for Human Rights is expected to file a lawsuit against Britain and the US over their use of depleted uranium bombs in Iraq."

Looking further at Press TV, we find another possible cause for concern.

They quote former US Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney as warning: "And not only is the use of depleted uranium contaminating the areas that are considered the war theater but because of air current the contamination by depleted uranium is spreading over major world cities like for example London where the air has tested positive for depleted uranium."

So, Saddam Hussein may not have got us with nuclear, chemical or biological weapons, but our own Government may have done. Nice.

Ian Tomlinson cop had been 're-hired'

We appreciate that not all of you see the Evening Standard so we're sharing this with little comment, just so that you see the story.

So... oh dear. The Ian Tomlinson story gets even more incredible... seems the G20 cop at the centre of events has an interesting back-story of his own.

Click here for the latest revelations.

The Week in Review

The ten most read articles on The Talking Clock over the last seven days were:

1. BBC Question Time review from 15th July
2. Ian Tomlinson fails to get justice in death from CPS
3. European Empire Stasi coming to UK streets soon
4. Nick Griffin blows whistle on EU climate thought crime
5. European Empire and petitioning our local MPs to quit
6. Nigel Farage turns to satirical comedy
7. Internet censorship fears as 37,000 blogs vanish
8. Democracy and why we fear it's a waste of time
9. Sunday Paper Review from 18th July
10. James Delingpole gets our 'quote of the day' spot

Our favourite blog posts and articles elsewhere list contains a nice mix of topics, but one particular blog demonstrated itself to be a tour-de-force of thought provoking articles. Can you tell which one we really liked this week?

1. The Slog 'How the Geithner/Banker club defrauded America'
2. Gerald Warner 'surreal theatre ft. the defeated Western allies'
3. Gerald Warner 'Dave's Big Society is not a top-down project'
4. EU Referendum 'Cannon Fodder'
5. EU Referendum 'A Different Set Of Pigs'
6. EU Referendum 'Hungary's Revolt'
7. EU Referendum 'Silly mood'
8. EU Referendum 'Take Your Pick'
9. Witterings From Witney 'Parties Without Purpose'
10. Libertarian Party 'A Warning From History'

Thank you to those of you who have kindly linked to us and to you wonderful folk who contributed comments to our wafflings. And thank you, as ever, to you for visiting The Talking Clock.

BBC Question Time: A thought stemming from the 'live and let live' burka debate

We can't be bothered to write up much from yesterday's BBC Question Time.

However, one thought regarding "debate" (I'll be the judge of that) about whether it is a good idea to ban the burka.

Now, this blog has said before - we generally do not support banning things.

And that seemed to be the consensus of the panellists on the BBC's Question Time.

So, a challenge to the Conservative MP Damien Green, Labour's Sadiq Khan, to the Muslim Council of Great Britain and to anyone else with a right mind.

If we support a 'live and let live' attitude... which this blog shares.

If we think it would be ridiculous - Sadiq Khan - to tell people what they can and cannot wear...

If those - not this blogger - who want to see the burka banned will not get their wish for these 'live and let live' reasons, then...

Why has naked rambler Steve Gough spent the best part of A DECADE IN PRISON FOR CHOOSING TO BE NAKED..?

Now, Steve Gough's prison sentences - which have run one after the other - have all been served in Scotland.

Shouldn't Gough be deported back to his own country - England - to serve his sentence, at least?

England, where - as we understand it - there are NO laws against being naked. The law here in England - we believe - states that it would be wrong to be naked and INTEND to cause alarm, harassment or distress.

But in Scotland, Hampshire man Steve Gough's refusal to dress has led to almost a decade in prison.

So maybe the Scottish authorities should just follow the advice of politicians over the wearing of the burka - 'live and let live'..?

It seems odd that the Scottish would release Libyan terrorists but won't show a 'live and let live' attitude towards a man who just wants to walk around naked.

Or does 'live and let live' only apply in certain circumstances?

Welcome to Modern Britain? Such a depressing place...

Two interesting stories to depress you with today.

The Guardian - unsurprisingly but with the support of the overwhelming majority of the British public, one suspects - continues to crusade for justice for Ian Tomlinson.

In one of their pieces today, they carry a quote from the second pathologist to examine Mr. Tomlinson's body.

Dr. Nat Cary says that he challenges the CPS conclusion that the poor man's injuries were "relatively minor".

He tells the newspaper: "I'm quite happy to challenge that. The injuries were not relatively minor. He sustained quite a large area of bruising. Such injuries are consistent with a baton strike, which could amount to ABH. It's extraordinary. If that's not ABH I would like to know what is."

Meanwhile, The Independent has a report which states that our very own spooks have been engaging in our very own programme of rendition. No collaboration with the Americans needed here. All our own doing, the newspaper says.

Of course, this blogger might be simply a conspiracy theorist. We might have imagined that two respectable broadsheets are reporting these stories. We have provided links to them, but there's no guarantee that if you read these stories for yourself, that you won't simply be imagining them either.

Dear, dear. That a once proud nation of liberties and freedoms should have ever ended up like this.

On the rendition story, The Independent carries a quote from Conservative MP Andrew Tyrie who says: "Stories such as this underline the need for an inquiry to get to the bottom of what happened after 11 September."

We'd start an inquiry by looking from the morning of 9/11 and then work forward.

But what is the point of any inquiry, anyway? From Diana to Dr. David Kelly to Iraq and now to Ian Tomlinson... aren't the conclusions foregone before these things have started (and before the taxpayer starts bankrolling these whitewashes)?

Our masters appear to now be acting with complete impunity.

And it's all very depressing.

No wonder 35,000 people misguidedly made killer Raoul Moat into some kind of bizarre anti-hero.

Quote of the Day

"I'm not going to dump on Gordon."
- Ed Miliband on BBC1's This Week.

Well, Gordon, Miliband and the Labour Party certainly crapped all over us... and they were certainly sh** as a Government...

Now, what was Gordon's surname again..?

No prosecution over Ian Tomlinson

So, the CPS are just now announcing that no-one will be prosecuted over Ian Tomlinson's death at the G20 protests in London last year.

Not even for common assault.

Bet this will go down well in the court of public opinion...

It is astonishing. And pretty well outrageous, frankly.

What an outrage. What an utter, total disgrace.

Conservative Minister Spelman trashes the ZaNuLabour dustbin Stasi

A warm hand of praise to the Conservative Party minister Caroline Spelman who, in her role as Environment Secretary has effectively - according to the Daily Mail - forbidden councils from conducting the New Labour Stasi created inspections of people's household dustbins.

The newspaper quotes her as writing to local authorities:

Dear Sir,

Further to the article in yesterday's Daily Mail, Council Race Spies Rummage Through Your Bin, I would like to take this opportunity to remind colleagues in local government the the guidance cited in the article is now outdated and is no longer current guidance by DEFRA.

The new Government has made clear its commitment to defending individual freedoms and protecting the freedoms and liberties which are a rich part of our British tradition.

Yours Sincerely

Caroline Spelman MP

Earlier this weeek, Spelman raised an eyebrow or three by describing the burka as 'empowering'.

Today's move to prevent councils following one aspect of the New Labour Stasi tyranny is much more like it.

We hearily congratulate and thank her for this move, and give praise to the Daily Mail for their making an issue out of the practise.

However, there is much more to do.

New Labour committed hell-like tyranny against the people of this country and there is much to be done in a short space of time to reverse all of Labour's wrongdoings.

But little by little, we're liking every little step like this we see.

Good work, Caroline Spelman. Good work, Daily Mail.

Clegg's accusation against Labour's war

One of the remarkable things about today's PMQ's between the unlikely form of Nick Clegg and Jack Straw was this.

Nick Clegg accused Labour of having taken this country into an illegal war.

Nothing remarkable there.

Now, let's write this another way.

The Deputy Prime Minister has accused the former Foreign Secretary, over the despatch box of the House of Commons, of having been part of a Government that took this nation into a war which breached international law.

Take the name 'Nick Clegg' out of it, and look at how serious it sounds.

As for Labour? The Hague beckons, and we ain't talking about William...

...and when The Hague have finished with them, we want one or two of them charged in this country with treason, and with crimes against our national constitution.

See also: Daily Telegraph - 'Coalition confusion as Nick Clegg tells Commons that the Iraq war was illegal'

UKIP's Nigel Farage tries his hand at satirical comedy

After Lembit Opik turned to stand-up comedy, here comes...

Nigel Farage, the satirist.

The former UKIP leader - and still the party's public 'face' - is due to go onto the BBC's Question Time show on Thursday.

He says: "It's always good to do Question Time because it's such a popular forum for serious discussion."

We love you dearly, Nigel and it's such a pity that UKIP's website doesn't have a video clip showing you pissing yourself laughing while saying that.

Expect the studio audience on Thursday to be extremely over-run with people traditionally associated with the political 'far left' parties.

Isn't it always?

Why has it taken the BNP's Nick Griffin to warn us about the European Empire's 'climate change' thought crime..?

We are told, nay warned, that the European Empire is bringing in a new thought crime - the 'crime' of asking any questions about the science behind 'climate change'.

Now, the criminalising of scientific questions means that any 'science' being defended against enquiring minds is not actually 'science' at all.

True science is a process whereby a hypothesis is subjected to robust and continuing probes, enquiries, questions and tests.

A process that eliminates through criminalisation any of these questions or tests is not really science.

You do not need to take the opinions of a political blog for it.

Go and ask a scientist for a definition of the words 'science' and 'hypothesis'.

So, what do we have now?

We have the European Empire proposing to criminalise 'climate change denial'.

And it takes Nick Griffin of the BNP to blow the whistle.

Where's your Guardian or BBC outrage at potential 'thought crime'..?

Where are the scientists opposing this in order to defend the entire reputation of their field of work?

Nope... we are now dependent on people like Nick Griffin of the BNP to tell us what is being planned next.

I mean... what the..?

Ex-spook boss demonstrates why it's the Labour Party that needs to be put under a control order

More dead bodies of British soldiers coming home in coffins this afternoon.

The people of Wootton Bassett did their proud, patriotic duty as ever.

And let us remember that these brave British troops gave their lives to defend the homeland. Or so they thought.

More news of more deaths in Afghanistan today. What for? Seriously, do any of the human beings on any side of the uniform or barbed wire even know why they are killing each other anymore?

We have interesting testimony at Chilcot from ex-spook boss Baroness Manningham-Buller today. She tells us nothing new.

However, there it is on record again - Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11 and invading Iraq increased the threat to Britain from 'terrorists'.

Now, we don't mind admitting - we think this whole 'terrorist' threat is a load of exaggerated nonsense and, even if true, we'd rather take our risks with the idiots than be tyrannised by the State.

But, this so called 'terror' threat in Britain as a result of invading Iraq... what did the Labour Government do? Dismantled our ancient freedoms, liberties and rights and placed us all into police state tyranny.

So, the Labour Government knew that Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11.

The Labour Government knew that - or was told that - invading Iraq would increase the risk of domestic terrorism.

Rather than backing down on the grand lie, the Labour Government continued with their plans for Iraq and...

...then proceeded to terrorise and tyrannise the British people.

With corporate responsibility in mind, we say that it is the entire Labour Party that should be subject to a 'control order'... for it is their collective responsibility for allowing this global tyranny against both the people of Iraq and against the people of Britain.

The Labour Government made victims of us all.

And when Chilcot delivers, the only verdict that will prevent claims of a whitewash must be a grave conclusion directed - not at our troops or spooks or 'terrorists' - but at the Labour Party...

-

Addendum: The Washington Post has started revealing a brilliant investigative journalism series exposing the potential tyranny that the people of America might be going under...

...and we in the UK get X Factor, Strictly Come Dancing and - ironically - Big Brother. Goodness sake...

Quote of the Day - 19th July 2010

"Doesn't history teach us that trouble lies ahead when a regime feels free to break its own laws with impunity, when it is supported by a puppet court and when its people are powerless to get rid of it? Isn't that exactly what we have now got in the European Union?"

- UKIP's leader Lord Pearson says his bit about the Evil Empire from the benches of the House of Lords... steady on, old chap. You could almost be describing our own country there, too!

(P.S. UKIP's leader has been doing a lot of very worthwhile haranguing of officials with worthwhile and productive questions recently. Shame little of it makes the corporate media, but we do hope - at least - you're following the link to his blog. You might be pleasantly impressed with what he's been getting up to.)

Watch it while you can... Alex Jones' globally sensational film 'The Obama Deception'

Watch it while you can... the film seen by tens of millions worldwide which is now at threat from internet censorship.

This is The Obama Deception, an Alex Jones film:

The Big Society, Redefined

UK plc was one of a number of nations looted by the global banking corporations.

We gave them trillions, and now the coffers are empty.

We had to give them all that money, otherwise there would have been a disaster with no banker getting a seven-figure bonus.

We also have to give billions of pounds to the European Empire.

We know you don't approve, but unless we give the European Empire billions of pounds, there would be a disaster of high unemployment amongst failed politicians.

With those circumstances in place, we can't afford anything else.

So, we're scrapping all public services.

In order to pay for all of these services that YOU are not going to get any more, we're going to have to put your taxes up massively.

Hey, think of the bankers and politicians. Your taxes are their charity.

So, if you want anything doing now, you're going to have to do it all yourself.

Go on, set up local volunteering groups and do your unpaid community service.

Of course, we're Government. We're clever. And we have an idea.

Just to make you feel better about paying more taxes to get absolutely nothing, we sat down and came up with a great big marketing slogan: The Big Society.

Now, doesn't that think-tank generated slogan make you feel better about paying all of those taxes and still having to do community service?

See, we're not entirely useless.

Anyway, we're off to talk to the global banking corporations about how we might get more money out of you by promoting a fictitious Armageddon.

That should also help us to raise enough money in new taxes to pay for even more jobs for failed politicians.

Aren't we clever?

Now, get to work! You've got all those taxes to pay and don't forget your community service tonight.

What? You think the Government should actually do something, too?

Okay... we will.

Just give us five years to find something that hasn't been banned already. When we do, be sure we'll ban it for you.

We're Government. We're great.

Enjoy your Big Society. We're off to the House of Commons bar for a pint and a cigarette now. Oh, what do you mean, some animals are more equal than others?

You're right, darn it! We have to find a way of making politicians' wage packets as big as those of the global banking elite.

One day, come the revolution, all politicans will get seven-figure bonuses for nothing, too.

...though we did pay a huge bonus to the person who dreamed up the marketing slogan of 'The Big Society'.

Community Service never sounded so good.

Watch out fellow bloggers - it's wipeout censorship! 73,000 blogs - gone!

Good evening fellow bloggers. This may be disturbing news.

Free speech may be on the wane. Read this. 73,000 blogs wiped out in mysterious circumstances.

Meanwhile, the globally huge Alex Jones movie The Obama Deception was also mysteriously targeted on YouTube this weekend and - according to the broadcaster - was specifically deleted in a hack-attack.

Quote of the Day - 18th July 2010

This 'quote of the day' is actually a bit of a cheat as it comes from an article first published in The Spectator on 10th July. However, the author - James Delingpole (a man whose opinions often resonate positively with this blog author) - has only blogged the heads up to it today. It's a very good article, and probably has broad appeal to our fellow libertarian bloggers who've been cast into wearing political 'right wing' badges by the fake liberals of British politics.

Background set, here's the quote:

"I don’t think any of us can come even close to imagining how it must be to be Michael White, assistant editor of the Guardian, in a debate on the subject of liberty. Well, think about it. You’ve spent the last 12 years cheerleading on behalf of perhaps the most repressive, statist, controlling regime to govern Britain since the days of Oliver Cromwell. Taxes are rising, income levels are falling, ancient freedoms have been stolen — all because of the ignorance and vandalism that you encouraged."

- James Delingpole, 'Lefties have got away with feeling superior for too long — let the fightback begin' in The Spectator.

Sunday Paper Review: 18th July 2010

Still only just hitting the heights of summer, so the Sunday papers are becoming more of a mixed bag.

There's a rather disturbing story in The Observer which made this blogger feel very uncomfortable and ever so slightly sick. The newspaper has obtained a Government document or manual called Physical Control in Care which details instruction on how officials should administer some quite brutal sounding methods of control, used on children as young as twelve in secure training centres. The document was published in 2005 - under New Labour's stewardship of the nation. The newspaper quotes Carolyne Willow, national co-ordinator of the Children's Rights Alliance for England as responding to the detail by saying: "The manual is deeply disturbing and stands as state authorisation of institutionalised child abuse."

Having read the detail of the methods reported in the newspaper article, we have to agree wholeheartedly with Ms. Willow... we found it to be quite disgusting sounding. Really quite repugnant. And if, as a parent, you were to do even half of what is detailed to your own kids, you'd probably end up behind bars yourself - and you'd get little sympathy for such an outcome here.

The Independent on Sunday runs with a story about how pissed off the Americans are and, apparently, they are determined to find out what - if any - links there are between our Government, oil firm BP, and the release of 'Lockerbie bomber' Abdelbaset al-Megrahi. Being ever so helpful, Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond has suggested the Americans prod a finger in the direction of Tony Blair. The report quotes him as saying: "It is important to understand that what the American senators want to inquire about is whether there was a deal in the desert with Col Gaddafi. The best [way] to answer that would be to call Mr Blair and ask him directly."

The SNP leader probably won't see that happen... the Americans just keep giving Blair important-sounding medals, honours and huge cash prizes for being a great heroic peacemaker or some such, don't they?

While the Raoul Moat 'Facebook' groups are causing faux-outrage amongst the printed press - as opposed to their TV cousins who turned the affair into a grisly sick case of snuff-voyeurism - the whole thing takes on another mysterious twist. The Mail on Sunday claims that the two police officers who shot Moat with yet-to-be-approved 'super Tasers' had "received only ten minutes’ training" which "took place at a food-processing plant in Rothbury."

If true, that's shocking as well. While we have little to no sympathy for Moat ourselves, if there has been much more detail like this kicking around, then perhaps some people's sympathies (with a man who, after all, was apparently a killer) might deserve closer consideration. What a bizarre tale - and ultimately tragic for all involved - this whole affair seems to have been.

And those Facebook supporters of the man? Well, they could take a moment to see Raoul Moat's "peaceful", "final resting place" if they head over to The People.

Utterly bizarre.

The Sunday Telegraph reports on a declaration by Damian Green, the Conservative Immigration Minister, that there will be no proposal by the coalition to follow the lead of France and a number of other nations in banning the burka.

Public opinion is, according to recent survey, strongly in favour of a ban with two out of three supporting such a move. This blogger feels that it is an emotive and complex issue with weighty arguments on both side of the debate. This blogger would probably feel a bit uncomfortable if there were to be any suddenly noticeable increase of the prevalence of the burka. Generally speaking though, this blogger is not in favour of banning things.

The Sunday Express is getting it's knickers in a twist at news that the poppy wreaths laid in commemoration of our war dead by Prince Charles are to be part-made in China, as part of a cost-cutting exercise by the Poppy Factory.

And finally... the News of the World's magazine has photographs of rugby player Gavin Henson in the nude. You don't quite see everything. If that's what you want, it's French rugby players you need to track down... ooh la la!

European Union - couldn't we pick off our MPs, one by one?

Just thinking out loud here...

We know what we want with regards to Britain's relationship with the European Union.

Instead of petitioning 'the Government', how about an alternative..?

What would happen if we organised a petition within each individual constituency and - once we got, say, a thousand signatures - we presented that petition to each of our individual local MPs..?

Would they not be duty bound then to represent the views of their constituents..?

And if they refused, would we not have a good story to give to local and national press demonstrating how our locally elected representatives were refusing to represent the people whose views they were elected to serve..?

Would we not, then, have good grounds for trying to force those MPs to resign from their post?

At the very least, would we not expose the sham of democracy in this country?

As I say, just thinking out loud.

But surely, if they are elected to represent the people and refuse, we should pick them off one by one - not let them hide behind the machinations of political party policy.

Stuff political party! They are paid to represent us.

If they refuse to do so and we can demonstrate it, we perhaps could and definitely should try to force them to resign.

Is democracy a complete and utter waste of time and space?

One of the things that seems very clear is that there is a great big divide between what the political class tell us and the reality of the nature of 'democracy'.

Once every five years, we're meant to turn out and give our little pencil cross of approval to some politician or another.

Yet, no matter who we vote for, the Government always gets in.

The consequence of that is that, for the five years which follow, no matter who you are or what you want, you may as well bang your head against a brick wall.

Now, this blogger does write to our elected representative. However, there has not been a single issue on which that MP has acted to represent this blogger's views.

Civil liberties? Nope, said MP was part of the disgraceful outfit which was dismantling our rights and freedoms.

European Union? Nope, said MP was part of the (continuing) disgraceful outfit - in this case the whole of Parliament - that removed our sovereignty without our say so.

Smoking ban? Nope. They can't explain why the pubs are going to the wall, but they're sure that the smoking ban is obviously not the reason. I mean... duh!

So, just hang on a freaking minute... isn't this person supposed to represent me? But this person never does? So, what is the point of them?

What... just in case I spot a blocked drain in the street someday? Call out the National Guard.

When it comes to the big issues, these public servants don't actually listen, do they? So what is the point of them?

And it's not isolated, is it? They do not serve the public.

Look at Nick Clegg's sham consultation of the people, and his flippant dismissal of the huge number of people who want to choose whether they can smoke with a pint.

What's the point of the consultation if they don't listen?

What's the point of an MP who never represents your views?

This whole democracy thing is a great big sham.

It's certainly not working. Because no matter who we vote for, the Government keeps getting in.

-

UPDATE: The Talking Clock has received a reader's comment which we really do want to share, especially as a blog that believes in free speech. However, we have had to edit it slightly. We'll indicate exactly where we've edited using '[...]', so you can see where this comment has had to receive particular attention. We love passionate comments (thank you for sharing!), but we do have to keep within certain parameters! So, we'll share this one particular passionate comment, but we have had to take a couple of names out of this...

"People in this country need to wake up and realise we have already forfeited our rights, freedom et al due to treasonous deception on the part of our so called "leaders" who have nothing but contempt for us the people.

Why else can we not freely vote on inclusion or otherwise of the evil empire....'cause the traitorous scum who brought us here by lies, deceit etc. are making too much money to ever discover integrity and responsibility to the voters. The bilderbergs in any case pre-select our "rulers" who simply dance to their masters tune. Countrymen and Women, the time for "lawful rebellion" peaceful protest, & activism is long past and the creeping fascism of the evil empire is going to enslave us all. Rubbish you say? ONE of the top men in UK is [...] as he's "common purpose" along with [...] ([...]) Just wait until the new europol para-militaries are on our streets anforcing evil empire diktat and subjugation of the British population en-masse. [...] traitors who prevented a free (lisbon MIS-treaty)referendum and who will prevent our overdue and life saving withdrawel from the evil empire. If OUR services & benefits are being slashed then why the hell are we still being bled dry by the politburo in brussels?"

Be afraid... the European Empire's Stasi stormtroopers, coming to Britain

"The proposed power would allow officers from an EU country to demand information on anyone they suspect of an offence, no matter how minor or whether it is even criminal in the UK." - the Daily Telegraph reports.

Isn't it amazing how the European Empire's 'Stasi-like' snooping police forces sound exactly like a project from the hated and despised tyrannical New Labour..?

One wonders whether all of the tyranny inflicted on us by New Labour - under the guise of 'terrorism' - was actually the preparing of the ground for the European Empire's tyranny to follow.

Watch out everyone... if this happens, we're heading to hell in a wonky supermarket trolley. Blindfold, obviously.

If the Conservative Party let this happen, then we'll need to kick them out of office, too... though, one fears, by then it will be too late.

UPDATE: We're pleased to know that this story stirs the passions of people who share our concerns about the European Empire project. However, while we truly support free speech, there are some comments that we really cannot approve for publication. They'd have this blog - and other blogs - taken offline if we let some things through - much as we might love to!

The Week in Review

The top ten, most read posts on The Talking Clock over the last week were:

1. Spain win the World Cup, but will Enrique get naked?
2. PMQs from 14th July
3. Theresa May shames the tyrannical Labour Party
4. World Cup over, patriots to be insulted again
5. Dr. David Kelly "conspiracy theories" are back
6. Dr. David Kelly and Diana, predicting own deaths?
7. Iraq war claims a pack of lies, says star witness
8. Sunday Paper Review from 11th July
9. Hansard with a voting record blooper?
10. UKIP's Mike Nattrass fighting to save Great British Pub

A whole batch of interesting, quality reads from fellow bloggers this week - it was really difficult to pick out the best of the bunch to share with you. However, these are the blogposts seen elsewhere that we thought really special...

1. Underdogs Bite Upwards - 'Nick's Nasties'
2. Dick Puddlecoat - The Great Repeal Swindle
3. Taking Liberties - Your Freedom, His Choice
4. Better Off Out - The EU and Your Freedoms
5. The Slog - Denial of the natural may yet destroy Europe
6. EU Referendum - The Assumption of Stupidity
7. England Expects - Whither Euro?
8. The Boiling Frog - Tories Approve of Lisbon Treaty

Thank you to those lovely people who posted thoughtful comments over the last week.

And, as ever, thank you to everyone who popped by this humble little blog and took the time to read what we have to say.

BBC Question Time: 15th July 2010

Francis Maude (Conservative) had some positive words for Mandelson but expressed the view that the Mandelson memoirs were damaging for both Labour, and the man himself. Was shouted down by someone in the audience for even daring to talk about the ruinous state of the economy left by Labour. Well, this is a BBC recruited audience. Dimbleby had to urge two women in the front row to allow Francis Maude to speak at the next question. Tried - with a small degree of struggle - to sell the arguments for reform of the NHS, falling back on the line that the NHS is there to serve patients not the bureaucracy. Pointed out that only a Labour government - with Andy Burnham as health secretary - had ever put a NHS hospital up for private tender. Spoke very eloquently on the issue of prison, talking about issues such as illiteracy and drug dependency.
Our Rating: Had to struggle with a BBC recruited studio audience. By the time the show was over, he finally appeared to know those odds were stacked against him and rose better to the challenge. 7/12

Andy Burnham (Labour) drew groans from the studio audience when he said Peter Mandelson had served the country well. However, he then added that he felt it was time for Mandelson to exit the public stage. Was subject to some difficult questions for his party from host Dimbleby over briefing that appears to still be going on... and some of it has been aimed at Burnham himself. Described himself as representing "aspirational socialism" in his bid for the Labour leadership. Criticised the twenty-four hour media coverage of the Raoul Moat story for building up a cult status around the man. Worryingly, he then started talking about regulation of online content, citing Facebook and YouTube. Typical, controlling New Labour, huh? Scary. Said the white paper on the NHS made him want to weep and is the most dangerous threat to the NHS in sixty-two years.
Our Rating: The BBC recruited studio audience might have liked most of what he had to say, but this blogger just found his constant need to be heard somewhat annoying. 3/12

George Galloway (former Respect MP) said he hoped Mandelson's memoirs were the end of the 'New Labour' era. Said the book demonstrated that Tony Blair was a liar in both the public and private spheres and that it was Blair who came out of the memoirs looking most poorly. Made some very interesting observations regarding the Raoul Moat story, saying that the 'Facebook' tribute pages were a worrying indicator of a disconnect and alienation - a 'swelling rage' - being felt by white working-class people. Said plans to reform the NHS were part of Conservative plans to hand over large amounts of taxpayer money to their rich, private provider friends. Warned that 'The Tories are abolishing the National Health Service'. Made the link between crime figures and financial status. Said he 'definitely' backs Ken Clarke's approach to changing the way that prison works, to address the issue of offender rehabilitation.
Our Rating: He really doesn't like the Conservatives, does he? Not sure which he dislikes more - Tories... or Tony Blair. Made some interesting observations throughout, showing that he is capable of offering alternative insights which many may be overlooking. 9/12

Sally Bercow (Labour activist) said Raoul Moat was not a hero and the Facebook tribute site demonstrated that the world had gone completely bonkers. She did, however, speak in favour of 'freedom of speech'. Suggested that Andrew Lansley is treating the NHS like a four-year old child plays with a toy to destructive effect. Gave support to Ken Clarke for his "enlightened" approach to criminal justice policy and rehabilitation.
Our Rating: Liked her support for all matters 'free speech'. Liked her non-partisan ability to offer support for Ken Clarke's policies on criminal justice. Not as irritating as most Labour people can be. She actually seemed to be quite likable. 7/12

Nick Ferrari (broadcaster) held no punches as he lambasted Labour in light of the Mandelson memoirs, saying that it said a lot about a party who were more interested in managing their own image than managing the affairs of the country. Spoke quite forcefully about Raoul Moat, with absolutely no sympathies for the man whatsoever. 'Sort out your life with individual responsibility' being his over-riding message. Said any NHS review should aim to give nurses decent pay. Stated that he does not 'buy the baloney' of the crime figures which supposedly show a fall. Accused Labour of moving some crimes out of the crime figures.
Our Rating: Did not agree with him that much, but we admired the passion with which he expressed his viewpoints. 7/12

More on the BBC Question Time site here.

Non-smoking UKIP MEP rallies to fight to save Great British Pub

Kudos and respect to UKIP MEP Mike Nattrass.

The non-smoking elected representative for the West Midlands has come out fighting to protect 150 jobs in a Wolverhampton based firm which makes cigarette vending machines - due to be outlawed under yet more draconian attacks on those who enjoy a smoke with their pint.

Explaining why he is choosing to champion the cause of the pub industry and aspects of the smoking ban, Nattrass says: "The public smoking ban was a major hammer blow to the UK’s struggling pub industry, as well as a blow against individual freedom of choice and forced many public houses to close."

UKIP policy favours something similar to a Spanish system, whereby smoking is permitted in ventilated dedicated smoking rooms.

Some Spanish bars, however - under a particular size - allow their bar owners to simply decide whether to allow smoking or not.

Deputy PM Nick Clegg has said that - no matter how many members of the public lobby on the issue - the Government will not even look at overturning the smoking ban. He would, of course, know that alternative systems to an outright ban - such as that operating in Spain - can be successful... his wife is Spanish.

- If you are a smoker, it is time that you lobbied the Government to overturn the smoking ban. If Mike Nattrass, a non-smoker, can fight our corner, we really ought to make sure we're doing the same for ourselves.

Direct your letters at not-so-liberal, not-so-democratic Nick Clegg here...

Hansard blooper?

MP's might think they're expected to be in two places at once, but we have to question this, spotted in the Hansard voting record for yesterday.

In the list of 'Aye' votes, you'll find the name of Justin Tomlinson.

And then in the 'noes', you guessed it... Justin Tomlinson again.

A Hansard typo? Something very weird going on?

So, Mr. Tomlinson MP - if you're reading... which way did you actually vote?

We find it hard to believe he might have voted 'yes' AND 'no' AND got away with it... so somebody somewhere has cocked up...

Lockerbie bomber and BP: Who needs conspiracy theories, anyway?

A seal of approval from this blog to the Evening Standard for reporting this...

When Labour decided they would free the Lockerbie bomber on compassionate grounds, there did appear to be something ever so slightly fishy sounding about what was going on.

Now, as a blogger, I'm quite neutral on the issue of releasing the supposed 'terrorist' bomber - for a number of reasons.

No, the reason that this story is interesting is because it provides a backdrop against which to measure some of those supposed 'conspiracy theories' that you see doing the rounds.

For, what do we see? Well, a lot of the decision-making that went on there owed - according to the Evening Standard's report - more than a nod to controversial oil firm BP.

I mean... what kind of democracy is it when a multinational oil company has input on the release of someone convicted of a terror crime?

And if a multinational oil company pulls such strings behind the scenes, who else is a string pulling influence..?

On whose behest is political policy being written, policy choices effecting a nation made?

Only, it doesn't seem that Governments serve those who elect them.

It seems that they only serve their globalist multinational company pals and THEIR interests - not ours.

So, that's the influence of BP highlighted. Will we get some journalists to tell we, the people more? Or can we expect to be kept in the dark as usual by mainstream media repeaters?

What is clear is this - it would seem pretty obvious that a multinational organisation like this unduly influencing the actions of Government would not be an isolated instance.

We would like to know, therefore, which other multinationals have effected Government policy and in which area.

Optimistic voices

Hopefully, first-time readers of this blog will excuse this post of pure self-indulgence. It does, however, have a message.

Last night, the author of this humble blog had the pleasure of attending a freedom-loving, pro-choice party called 'Smoke on the Water' which you can read about on the Taking Liberties website.

Your humble blog author even took a moment to not be incognito in order to pass on a couple of kind words of encouragement and support to a couple of libertarian folk who deserve it.

Had a moment of raising an eyebrow in jest beforehand when I read at the eleventh hour that the author of Witterings from Witney would be there. Alas, I did not (knowingly?) meet that particularly wonderful fellow blogger... but I did have a joke to myself about a gathering of blog authors on a big boat. Thankfully, there were no conspiracies afoot, no Titanic moments and nobody even got their feet wet.

I won't name-drop as to people who I did meet at last night's event - that would be unseemly, but for those of you who are libertarians...

...one of the interesting things about the evening was the sense of optimism that one came away with.

A number of MPs were in attendance at the event and a number of prominent civil liberty campaigners.

So, why the optimism?

First of all, because it was obvious - from talking to people - that the issues that I blog about here at The Talking Clock are concerns shared by a large number of people. They are not just issues where party politics govern opinions, but concerns that are felt by people irrespective of party allegiances.

The right to freedom, the right of adults to make their own choices, the right to privacy from an over-bearing state.

And, of course, concerns about the European Empire.

For those of you who smoke, be assured that - no matter what Nick Clegg says - there are a large number of groups and individuals who will campaign endlessly to restore the rights of business owners and you, the customer and taxpayer, to make decisions and choices for yourself.

The pro-smoking choice issue is not one that this blog has covered too deeply - there are some excellent blogs out there already which specifically focus on the matter. However, it is an issue that we'll keep a close eye on in future.

For today, everyone concerned at the threat to our liberties and all of those of you who smoke... don't feel down-hearted. This blogger has met some of the people who are fighting on YOUR side - and a committed and wonderful group of people they are, too.

Help them to help you by dropping your MP a line about these issues.

Also, check out some of the following resources:
The Free Society
Save Our Pubs and Clubs
FOREST
No2id
Big Brother Watch
The People's Movement of Britain

Righty-ho... this is one blogger with a mother-of-all hangovers so we're off to consume vast quantities of coffee. And have a cigarette or two, too.

PMQs: 14th July 2010

As ever, PMQs opened with the sombre reading out of names of those young soldiers who had been killed in Afghanistan. For how much longer is this whole Afghanistan thing going to carry on? What for?

Cameron vs. Harman - The Labour opposition leader's main body of query was regarding the NHS, from cancer targets to reorganisation of the bureaucracy. Harman started off quite well, but by the time their exchange ended, it was Cameron who landed the sucker-punch saying: "We're not reorganising the bureaucracy, we're scrapping it."
Our view: Cameron victory

A brilliant question from Nadine Dorries (Conservative) who asked whether the huge sums of money being sent to the European Empire would also be subject to 40% cuts. The answer she got was woefully inadequate. Well done for asking, Nadine. Shame the answer from the Prime Minister was so wishy-washy.

Cameron, at one point, referred to the Labour frontbench as 'deficit deniers'. While the sentiment may have some traction, this blog does not think this name calling is befitting of a true Statesman. He should leave such horrid name-calling to the Labour Party and show that he is above such things.

He did, however, exploit the Mandelson memoirs to very good effect - including making a very good quip at the expense of Gordon Brown.

Overall: Cameron breezed his way through this question session with barely a hair being blown out of place, though his partial dodging of the brilliant question from Nadine Dorries was truly shocking.

Tory Theresa May shames tyrannical Labour, who fail to learn from election defeat and continue to advocate a liberty-devoid police state

A brilliant line from Conservative Home Secretary Theresa May today.

Speaking of plans to review the supposed 'anti-terror laws', she promised that the review would seek to "...restore the ancient civil liberties that should be synonymous with the name of our country."

Bravo!

How wonderful to see a Conservative politician advocating a return to 'small 'c' conservative' values of liberty and freedom.

If Theresa May keeps going at this rate, we might actually get her to read the Bill of Rights and our other constitutional documents and put our country back in line with them. Should that happen, we can pack up our blog and go home...

Meanwhile, Labour Shadow Home Secretary Alan Johnson still doesn't get it. All those references that we - as a population - filled the internet with concerning Labour and their police state, totalitarian prison island... wasted on them. They haven't learnt.

Johnson had the audacity to say to Theresa May: "...In what way does she consider the previous government to have ridden roughshod over civil liberties..."

Errrr.... how long have you got, Johnson? Obviously, a few years in opposition - hopefully an eternity there.

But, how about we break it down simply?

We were not 'terrorised' by the Luftwaffe. We were not 'terrorised' by the IRA. The gay and non-white communities were not 'terrorised' by a sick nail-bomber. We were not and are not 'terrorised' by a supposed ideology known as 'Al Qaeda'.

However, we were 'terrorised' by Labour and their tyrannical police state.

We could sit here and list it all, but we'd be here for longer than the duration of the next three Parliaments just trying to detail each individual element which Labour used to turn this land into a place where fear stalked every sunlit street. But it was fear of a tyrannical state that people were waking up to.

So, carry on tyrannising Labour. But remember. We, the people are the masters. You are public servants. You work for us. We are not your slaves.

Until Labour get that message, they deserve to languish in Opposition for ever.

'Futile, finished and fucked'..? We can think of harsher words, but we don't want to stoop to Labour's level.

P.S. Nick Clegg, you seemingly not so liberal, anti-smoking public servant who thinks he's our master - you need laugh, with your fraudulent 'public consultation' exercise. You've been nicely rumbled...

See also:
Politics.co.uk - 'Counter-terrorism review promises restoration of civil liberties'

Iraq War inquiry: Star witness says claims against Iraq amounted to lies - and suggests to inquiry's face that they are simply a whitewash

We take our hat off and bow with respect to Carne Ross, a former UK diplomat described by one newspaper as a "whistle blower", after the evidence he gave to the Chilcot Inquiry today.

As a thank you for the bravery demonstrated in telling we the people the truth, can we humbly suggest that Mr. Ross goes on public record now stating that:

- he is not now, never has been and never will be someone to become suicidally depressed

- he hates fast cars, Parisian tunnels, and that he knows a drunk when he sees and smells one and would not ever risk it

Just a thought... but we'd put those sorts of points all publicly on record, sunshine.

And why? Well, his evidence to the Chilcot Inquiry can be roughly boiled down to this - the US and UK claims against Iraq were a pack of lies.

No surprises there.

So, then he goes on to accomplish what one Guardian newspaper writer describes thus: to "[imply] that Chilcot and his team have allowed themselves to be misled" which will "reinforce the suspicions of those who claim that that inquiry is turning out to be a whitewash."

The Independent and The Guardian seem to want to run big on this story. The BBC, however, hasn't mentioned it in the time we've been half-watching... odd that.