Wednesday 6 January 2010
Do we like him? No we certainly do not!
When Mum had her fall my first question upon reaching her was "Who is the Prime Minister?" to similarly check whether she had suffered a stroke. Her answer was "Gordon Brown".
My follow up question being "Do we like him?".
Her answer: "No, we most certainly do not."
I asked the questions and she answered them every day up until Monday.
Made me smile.
Tuesday 5 January 2010
My Mum
Friday 1 January 2010
Wednesday 30 December 2009
Iranian Protests
Nick, I'm interested what your views are on the protester deaths in Iran, not however the typical response of it's awful, but what practically can the UK do? What can we as citizens do. I became aware of the reality of this through a youtube video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sW2oy9c5NiM&skipcontrinter=1
talking about the twitter revolution (which really is worth watching) but now it seems to be coming to a head with the bbc reporting between 8 and 10 deaths and opposition leaders being arrested in Tehran. Thanks, J
My response:
Hi J
That's a tough one, and to be honest my answer is 'I don't really know'.
It's very easy, as you say, to jump to a response that says 'it's awful and they should be conforming to western standards of human rights and democracy.' I'm not sure though that that's the right answer.
As an aside, I think one of our fundamental errors in Afghanistan is to try and impose a western style system on a society that is culturally opposed to such a thing. To try and impose an external solution on the situation could be doing a similar thing.
That said, we can not turn a blind eye to a government which is clearly using repression against its own people and you've asked what we can practically do.
Listening to the remenisences marking the twentieth anniversary of the fall of the Eastern European dicatorships, I've been struck by the fact that the growth of access to western media, people and influences played a significant role in making the populations of those countries aware of the failings of their regimes.
I'm therefore led to a conclusion that the best thing our Government can do is to support those organisations, like the BBC's Farsi service, who broadcast independent news and information in to Iran. When those broadcasts are jammed we should find ways around that jamming and do what we can to ensure that people have access to an independent news source.
As individuals, the best thing we can do is to do exactly what you have done, ask questions, highlight the Youtube videos, support and encourage those in Iran who are making sure the world is aware of what is going on.
I don't believe we have the right to intervene in Iran and/or to impose our values on them. However we should do all we can to give access to information and an independent perspective to people there and encouragement to those who are fighting for their rights.
Sorry for such a long answer, I hope that helps a little.
All the best
Nick
Sunday 8 November 2009
UKIPs Remembrance Service Shame
Each year it becomes more moving as the old soldiers become older yet also become more determined to pay their respects. As their places are replaced by younger men returned from more recent conflicts. And as the crowds grow ever larger around the cenotaph.
This year though there was a difference. A demonstration by members of UKIP holding political placards during at the end of the Service.
I understand they also layed a wreath under their party colours with a similarly political note attached.
That's not jsut direspectful, it's appalling and despicable and is a mark of the people who took part. They should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.
Remembrance Service is not, and must never be, about politics. It's far too important for that.
Sunday 4 October 2009
Abseiling for Cancer Research UK
I'm doing it again for another cause in a few weeks time and am splitting the sponsorship between the two causes. At that moment it looks as though each should get around £750.00.
Well done to all the people who were there helping, organising and taking part.
Friday 18 September 2009
off to speak with disability groups on Canford Heath
Nick King
Parliamentary Spokesman
Mid Dorset and North Poole
2 Westfield Close
Wimborne Minster
Dorset BH21 1ES
t: 01202 884402
m: 07771 727402
Facebook: Nick for Mid Dorset and North Poole
Twitter: nickking
Thursday 17 September 2009
Monday 24 August 2009
The Cost of EU Membership
Apparently we 'should be sharing the burden of membership' with the new countries from Eastern Europe according to the Government.
Hopefully someone will do a cost benefit analysis of this. I for one increasingly wonder whether the cost is worth it. I'm sure there are many others who will be thinking the same this evening.
Saturday 8 August 2009
Wimborne Post Office Petition - Street Stalls
We set up two street stalls, one by Somerfields and the other in the Square. Both were incredibly busy, with people queueing up to sign the petition. We estimate we collected over 500 signatures this morning alone.
Thanks to the team that took part, and in particular thanks to Robin Cook and Anthony Oliver for sorting the positions out and to Anthony for staying all morning to help out.
Monday 25 May 2009
MPs Expenses - Sorry
I haven't posted anything for almost two months, no excuses really, just very busy running the businesses (the early Summer is often the busiest time of year for us both in relocation and at Rubyz) and also the County Council and European elections have been taking a lot of time too.
An anonymous person made this comment yesterday on the thread following the last post I made, entitled 'Funny and Apt':
Ok now please make a comment about the Tory MPs who have made claims and have been found out.
Whats your views on Sir Peter Viggers and others
I do not think this is a case for political point scoring.Tax payers money was abused by people put in a position of trust and yet they acted like common criminals.
Are you really the right candidate for my area.Have you the maturity,intellect and desire or are you jumping on the gravy train.
You certainly need putting in your place and after this blog it may come back to haunt you as you have lost my vote.
He or she is right. Looking back that post now seems crass and ridiculous.
The post was made on April 1st, an appropriate date for it. Who could have thought that the kind of information we have been seeing over the last few weeks would have come out at that point. I certainly didn't.
The behaviour of MPs from all parties has shamed anyone involved in politics. I'm ashamed now to have made fun of it with that post.
Am I going to remove it? No.
I think it's better to leave it where it is and to make sure those comments remain too to show that there was a point at which the whole thing seemed incredible. And more importantly to show that sometimes you can be wrong and need to say sorry.
In hindsight I shouldn't have published that post. I was wrong and I am sorry.