Archive for July 2016

This election is not Top Trumps

images (9)This election is not Top Trumps, it is not a game or a media ratings battle. It is about electing one of the most powerful people in the World.

Simply Donald Trump is not fit to be the next President of the United States of America.

Over the last two weeks we have seen two conventions. The Republican Convention, a picture of disunity and splits. The last four Republican Presidential candidates, including two former Presidents images (10)stayed away. The home Governor John Kasich stayed away. The leading contender, Sen Ted Cruz, during his speech failed to endorse Trump.

At the Democratic Convention all the leading party figures including President Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and main contender Bernie Sanders endorsed and rallied around Secretary Clinton. It was a display of an enthused party, well download (4)organised and hopeful for the future.

So as a Conservative, it was sad to see the great Republican Party, where it is now after a hostile takeover. The party of Reagan and Lincoln is now lead by a demagogue.

For my fellow UK readers the result of the USA election is of enormous importance. On one side we images (11)have a candidate who supports Nafta and Nato, the other does not. These two organisations are crucial to the UK – one helps to provide protection and peace, the other a vital trade opportunity in our post Brexit era.

We also need a person who will respect the special relationship between the USA and UK. Does Donald Trump? I doubt it. He already has insulted our
Government and our Country.

A divider in chief who has insulted many groups and people is not fit for the highest office.

images (13)To be clear I am no great fan of Secretary Clinton.The many issues including the emails and handling of Benghazi are a real concern.

However having someone competent and ready to serve over rides party politics.

I morally supported Bush, McCain and Romney. I even spent time on the McCain campaign download (5)on election day in Florida. So for me to go against our opposite number in the United States is not an easy one, but it is the right one. There are many great Conservatives down the ticket who will be elected; but I cannot and will not support the top of the ticket.

Donald Trump is not a fit choice for the United States nor for the global stage.

If you can for one moment imagine a President Trump, if that does not scare you, it should.

 

Why we must maintain our nuclear deterrent

AstuteFor any Government, there is no greater responsibility than ensuring the safety and security of it’s people.

We live in a very unpredictable world. Without a deterrent could potentially leave us in a vulnerable position.

Trident has afforded us a nuclear deterrent for nearly 50 years, with a British submarine carrying images (7)nuclear weapons – always on patrol.

The argument for Trident is that even if our conventional defence capabilities were destroyed, we would still be able to launch a retaliatory strike on an aggressor.

Once nuclear weapons have been given up it is almost impossible to get them back – and the process of creating a new deterrent may take decades. That is why the Conservative Party committed to renewing the Trident nuclear deterrent in it’s manifesto.

Some have said that we do not need to make a decision now. Whilst it is true that Trident has many years of use left, they cannot last images (8)indefinitely. Our current generation of four submarines would begin to end their working lives some time in the late 2020s.

Work on a replacement cannot be delayed because the submarines alone could take up to 17 years to develop.

To disarm would be a dangerous risk that would weaken our allies and strengthen our enemies. A gamble with the safety and security of families in Britain that we must never be prepared to take.

The nuclear defence industry is also a major UK employer. It is estimated that up to 15,000 jobs may be lost if a new submarines are not commissioned. In addition to the unique skills required.

In an uncertain world, we must maintain our deterrent defence posture – not weaken it.

Postgraduate Masters in Law – 1st year passed

download (1)Delighted to report that today I passed the first year of my Postgraduate Masters in Law (LPC LLM) studies.

Which has included; Criminal Law, Civil Litigation, Employment Law, Property Law and Solicitors Accounts.

This follows on from being the first person in my family to go to University, successfully securing in 2015 a Bachelor in Laws (LLB) undergraduate degree at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge.

It has opened up a whole new world to be and taking the next step on the path with the University of Westminster has been an exciting one in starting the second qualification.

I will enjoy the break, ahead of recommencing the final year of the Masters in Law in September!

David Cameron’s legacy to the UK

images (6)Today we saw David Cameron resign as Prime Minister. This was very much an end of an era after being Prime Minister for six years and Conservative Party leader for over 10 years. We welcome Theresa May as our new Prime Minister, who, I am sure will do a wonderful job succeeding Mr Cameron.

Let us reflect back on just some of David’s achievements:

  • The economy turned around with the deficit as a share of GDP cut by nearly two thirds;
  • There are 2.5 million more people in work with the security of a pay packet;
  • There are over 1.4 million more children in good or outstanding schools;
  • Introduced the new National Living Wage and we have lifted 4 million people, and rising, out of income tax altogether;
  • Almost 2.9 million new apprenticeships have been created;
  • A welfare cap so no family can earn more out of work, than the average family earns in work.
  • Protected the living standards of our elderly by delivering the triple lock on the basic state pension;
  • Corporate tax system will be the most attractive in the G20 by 2020, bringing jobs and investment into this country;
  • The NHS has been protected in real terms;
  • Saw the introduction of same-sex marriage
  • Keeping the promises to the poorest people in the world, and protecting our security, by maintaining our commitment to aid spending;
  • Britain is stronger in the world again – meeting the NATO two per cent target for defence spending with new aircraft carriers, world-class equipment for our armed forces, and the military covenant enshrined in law.

Eid Mubarak to all my Muslim friends

images (5)I would like to wish all my Muslim friends a very happy Eid.

Today is the end of Ramadan. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until sunset which includes refraining from eating, drinking and smoking . This is a major commitment in the summer with the fast lasting from early morning through to the evening, as late as 9.30pm.

Muslims use the term  Eid Mubarak after performing the Eid prayer. The celebration continues until the end of the day for Eid ul-Fitr (or al-Fitr) and can continue a further three days.

Today I am celebrating the joy of the day with family – it is a wonderful opportunity for a celebration with great food and drink. Eid Mubarak!

Today is National Stand Up To Bullying Day

Stand upToday is National Stand Up To Bullying Day. This has been launched by The Diana Award organisation. Their focus is that the campaign is an opportunity to help change behaviour and attitude by educating the public about behaviour.

The Duke of Cambridge has urged the country to “stand up, not stand by” to combat bullying, which has become “unrelenting” because of social media.

Bullying is an issue which affects people from all walks of life and can happen at any point.

Research confirms the long-lasting and damaging outcomes for images (4)the individual being bullied including prolonged absenteeism from school. The NatCen study commissioned by Red Balloon showed that 16,000 children are outside education because of this.

Bullying can have long lasting effects as well.     The King’s College Institute of Psychiatry commissioned a substantial study of over 7,700 people, who were born in 1958, who were bullied at 7 or 11 download (3)years old. The study then followed up with the participants until they were 50 years old.

Stand Up to Bullying Day is a campaign that focuses on childhood bullying as well as bullying in the wider community. We are encouraging the nation to take a stand against bullying and demonstrate everyone has a role to play in tackling it.

The ant-bullying cause is one that I have been involved in for many years. This includes having commissioned my own report into tackling school bullying: www.conservativehome.com/platform/2015/10/cllr-james-hockney-why-school-bullying-must-be-tackled.html

Together, as a society this is an issue we can solve.