tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62740163572211661752024-02-08T05:49:09.531+00:00Yorkshire LibertariansThe Unofficial blog of Yorkshire LibertariansIanPJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17911432983440475284noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274016357221166175.post-1970751559430728242011-03-30T07:58:00.002+01:002011-03-30T07:58:26.196+01:00New LPUK Website and Blog Goes Live 31st March<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPop2ogZIi8Z4sHWGvw__34WsuRYctVydK9EylDaoef5rMMP7hJBBdnNZ_Dg_-ub3FwXy1MEhYq_eOr5dSyLgDool35kffHkTrpy502dJX3Sc5Jg0Nk7v9hDoSZ68uYoeoZC7Qnao8ldQ/s1600/LPUK+BANNER.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPop2ogZIi8Z4sHWGvw__34WsuRYctVydK9EylDaoef5rMMP7hJBBdnNZ_Dg_-ub3FwXy1MEhYq_eOr5dSyLgDool35kffHkTrpy502dJX3Sc5Jg0Nk7v9hDoSZ68uYoeoZC7Qnao8ldQ/s320/LPUK+BANNER.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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The new integrated LPUK website and blog goes live on 31st March 2011 at <a href="http://www.lpuk.org/">www.lpuk.org</a> in a more user friendly magazine version. You should redirect to this site.<br />
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Thanks to Ken Ferguson LPUK's Communication Director and the rest of the team who have put so much of their time and expertise into this project in the last three months.Guthrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17499979740864497256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274016357221166175.post-72594790002112688952010-11-05T14:16:00.002+00:002010-11-05T14:16:24.137+00:00Gregg Beaman To Stand In Oldham East For Libertarian Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivntsvJJttThrhPLMzPBfR8TuyqBcyk2NvPqMVsGrLkan9AZgIHMDQZ5dyKpiajIQA0Y-X4PfQmAG86S1Dd0wXpWhg_qD0DxLMWpq3MOgXnmBUUotI6gXAq9pEg31SJixo7UAXXz_z_6Jy/s1600/greggbeaman2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivntsvJJttThrhPLMzPBfR8TuyqBcyk2NvPqMVsGrLkan9AZgIHMDQZ5dyKpiajIQA0Y-X4PfQmAG86S1Dd0wXpWhg_qD0DxLMWpq3MOgXnmBUUotI6gXAq9pEg31SJixo7UAXXz_z_6Jy/s320/greggbeaman2.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><br />
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Following the welcome news that Phil Woolas now ex MP has been gound guilty of electoral wrong doing<br />
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Gregg Beaman has announced his decision to run for the Libertarian Party in Oldham East.Guthrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17499979740864497256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274016357221166175.post-14481380392298012262010-10-05T14:29:00.004+01:002010-10-05T15:11:14.979+01:002010 Libertarian Conference- 27th November 2010<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0nbyxVvrPjjVR2n8adiJd2cpNQ4G0rKXVzU3oKZ1GIkJXgzt0lhrUeL-0KD5rBpNNbmp86DL-Yb09fFxVGqSNfyJklRtyE94qZBbXcmR428JKlkO9HYxgbMJIue3bV7wqJvtiJX2Rf9oG/s1600/Email_Header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0nbyxVvrPjjVR2n8adiJd2cpNQ4G0rKXVzU3oKZ1GIkJXgzt0lhrUeL-0KD5rBpNNbmp86DL-Yb09fFxVGqSNfyJklRtyE94qZBbXcmR428JKlkO9HYxgbMJIue3bV7wqJvtiJX2Rf9oG/s1600/Email_Header.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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This will be held at the Punch Tavern, 99 Fleet Street, London EC4Y 1 DE 27th November 2010 as we rotate for the third year back to London, from York 2008 and Bristol 2009.<br />
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You will need to register and pay £10 to off set costs by <b>Nov 1st</b> to receive your voting card and agenda. I do not propose to take money on the day.<br />
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Please pay via our account at HSBC noting your membership number and LP2010 as the reference.<br />
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If you would like to make a donation over and above (Please) mark as Donation.<br />
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<b>40-28-20 Sort Code Account Number 92635313 </b><br />
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It is envisaged that Libertarians of the non member variety can be invited but cannot obviously vote, hence the voting card.<br />
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Postal votes are obtainable from 1984@lpuk.org for NCC positions.Guthrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17499979740864497256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274016357221166175.post-67856984758344599912010-09-07T11:34:00.001+01:002010-09-07T11:34:39.827+01:00Tax Blunder Rebellion<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqW4i8y5e7KpkLfa7rU7hOm6NkvBv776nFV9NX5DpY_vzD7222IjaNbwxdqR9I7qUfBPFTFI8dVwMCzs5aHMFTYt5SBzOKZw4nIpcVIw94bTc6yDRUNuQi3d-lTv-f10u5hZxDuxhKt4/s1600/TaxMan-640x1024.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqW4i8y5e7KpkLfa7rU7hOm6NkvBv776nFV9NX5DpY_vzD7222IjaNbwxdqR9I7qUfBPFTFI8dVwMCzs5aHMFTYt5SBzOKZw4nIpcVIw94bTc6yDRUNuQi3d-lTv-f10u5hZxDuxhKt4/s400/TaxMan-640x1024.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514115089254401186" /></a><br /><br />Never mind the politics of whether or not William Hague is gay (not in the slightest importance to me) this is serious stuff, and should make any sensible person question why they should not be a Libertarian. I reprint in full the following from the <a href="http://www.annaraccoon.com/politics/the-state-will-decide-how-much-money-you-get">Anna Raccoon</a> site in the hope people are going to start waking up.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Start</span><br /><br />It’s been a while since there has been a story in the press that left me with my jaw so far down that it hurt. But today, I believe, we are firmly back in <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/7985181/HMRC-could-take-direct-control-of-pay-cheques-after-tax-errors.html">the deranged world of government gone completely insane:</a><br /><br /> HM Revenue and Customs could take direct control of every worker’s monthly pay cheque under plans to overhaul the error-prone income tax system.<br /><br /> Instead of employers deducting income tax then paying gross salaries to employees, the gross monthly payment would go to an HMRC-run tax “calculator”, which would then pass the net salary to the worker.<br /><br /> The reform would mean the end of traditional monthly payslips, because employers would no longer be able to tell workers how much tax they had paid each month.<br /><br />The immediate thought that comes to mind is: what do we do when (and not if!) this all goes wrong? What happens when, as will inevitably happen, HMRC makes a balls up and takes your whole month’s salary? Who will you fight with? Without a payslip, how do you budget for the forthcoming month, especially if you are on highly variable wages? What about people with all sorts of different sources of income? How will this “help” them? What about people who have valid reasons for submitting an annual return to claw money back?<br /><br />Inevitably, this kind of glorious “lateral thinking” is a result of the many failings of the people in HMRC. Why is the long-suffering taxpayer being exposed to this extraordinary risk? It’s not like the government exactly has a fantastic track record when it comes to grandiose computer systems.<br /><br />I’m going to do something that I don’t generally do, because I’m not as erudite at campaigning as Anna: I’m going to ask you to spread the word about this as far as you can; I’m going to ask you to write to your useless MP and complain in the strongest possible terms about this insane idea; write to your local newspaper, tell all your friends and do everything you can think of to stop this insane idea from becoming reality.<br /><br />Because although Anna is a wonderful campaigner, I don’t think there’s enough of her to go around to save each and every one of us!<br /><br />UPDATE: I am generally loathe to update articles, especially if they have only just been published, but I feel that this information may be of great value to 1.4 million taxpayers:<br /><br /> The first batch of 45,000 letters demanding cash to be repaid will start to arrive on Tuesday – with the rest sent out over the next four months.<br /><br /> But accountants said recipients should act swiftly to use a <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1309639/Tax-blunder-rebellion-Experts-urge-1-4m-pay-taxmans-mistake.html">little-known loophole</a> which forces HM Revenue and Customs to abandon ‘out of the blue’ demands and effectively write off the money.<br /><br /> They also insisted many of those affected are entitled to argue that they or their employer have done nothing wrong and should not be penalised for someone else’s blunder.<br /><br />Enough is enough. It is time to starve these incompetent thieves of our hard-earned money!Guthrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17499979740864497256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274016357221166175.post-52358218063085028102010-08-22T09:22:00.001+01:002010-08-22T09:22:24.399+01:00Still Fighting 'them' on the beaches<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6NJHRSrMLpwUx4ViX-vfjEdQxHTSpwpNmygwiWYgruszwN-9GvPL8TX7RJkvbiN5U0TV05tIo7wWtaG0-VWF5A7cgyRtLpdbgquGR_VGjJGEv5XXCgb-b7yotAWX6tmTt7iiLpGxYgaZ/s1600/Raccoon-Soldier-227781.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6NJHRSrMLpwUx4ViX-vfjEdQxHTSpwpNmygwiWYgruszwN-9GvPL8TX7RJkvbiN5U0TV05tIo7wWtaG0-VWF5A7cgyRtLpdbgquGR_VGjJGEv5XXCgb-b7yotAWX6tmTt7iiLpGxYgaZ/s400/Raccoon-Soldier-227781.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508144666053859490" /></a><br /><br />The War goes on ! The war against Fascism (The marriage of the big State with big Corporations) we were told ended in 1945. Another skirmish has broken out, that the Libertarian Party is pleased to be part of-<br /><br />All the links in the following article reproduced in full are to be found here on the <a href="http://www.annaraccoon.com/politics/fighting-them-on-the-sandwell/#comments">Anna Raccoon site</a><br /><br /><br /><br />70 years ago this week, Winston Churchill made his famous speech immortalising the words ‘Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.’ He did so to rally every man and woman in these Isles to support the war effort:<br /><br />“because we have been nurtured in freedom and individual responsibility and are the products, not of totalitarian uniformity, but of tolerance and variety.”<br /><br />Sheila Martin was a fragile babe in arms when her Mother heard those words. Too young to understand the menace behind the Messerschmitts and Heinkels screaming overhead and disturbing her slumber. She was the intended beneficiary of Churchill’s words, one of the generation of children that depended on the bravery of British men such as her Father, away in France fighting for the freedom, tolerance and variety that was Britain’s hallmark.<br /><br />Today, Sheila is once more fragile; she is 70 years old and was widowed 30 years ago. She tells me she has survived five heart attacks; she suffers from asthma, angina and high blood pressure. She only smokes the occasional cigarette these days, partly for health reasons, partly because her minimal state pension doesn’t stretch to any more.<br /><br />70 years after Churchill’s speech was made, she has retired from a lifetime of hard work.<br /><br />She was part of that unsung army of hard working, clean living, decent individuals, who cheerfully got up every morning and trudged off to put in a decent days work for a paltry wage as a ‘Mrs Mop’, raised her family, nurtured her marriage, made ends meet, saved little, but asked little in return, save the freedom, and tolerance that her older relatives had fought to provide. She is not a politically aware lady, nor insolent, nor ambitious for financial rewards.<br /><br />In common with other ‘Smokers’ who may not like the new laws prohibiting them from smoking where others may be offended by the practice, she respected the law of the land, and complied. She is no campaigner against such laws.<br /><br />Thus it was that she found herself standing at a bus stop, waiting for the bus which would take her home, and taking the opportunity to smoke a cigarette in the open air – there was no bus shelter. She could no longer smoke a cigarette on the top deck of the bus. She had not been able to smoke a cigarette with the cup of tea she shared with her daughter in town. Now she must stand in the road to enjoy the ‘freedom, tolerance and variety’ of the British Isles.<br /><br />She only smoked half the cigarette; as the time drew close for the bus to arrive, she ‘nibbed’ the cigarette, letting the lit end fall to the ground, and thriftily stowing the other half of the cigarette in her handbag for a later occasion. It was her last cigarette until pension day.<br /><br />Two of Sandwell’s famed ‘enforcement wardens’ approached her – a man and a woman. They told her that they were issuing a ‘Fixed Penalty Fine’ of £75 under Section 87 (1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 as amended by Section 18 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. This mouthful of gobblygook was lost on Sheila; she had no idea what she had done wrong and put the piece of paper in her pocket.<br /><br />Once home, friends and neighbours clustered round to read this piece of officialdom. Sheila still had the ‘end’ of the cigarette, with its precious inch or so of un-smoked tobacco in her handbag, so how could she be accused of littering the street – it had to be the cigarette ash they were talking about?<br /><br />I have spoken to Sandwell Council, they tell me that they do not issue fixed penalty notices for cigarette ‘ash’ – I am sure they don’t. I am equally sure that Mrs Martin is telling the truth when she tells me that the half cigarette with its ‘butt’ was still safely in her handbag when she returned home. So we are left with the quandary of whether the ‘lit’ end of a cigarette, which will become cigarette ‘ash’ within seconds, constitutes parliament’s intention when they defined litter as including:<br /><br />In section 98 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (definitions), after subsection (5) insert—<br /><br />“(5A)“Litter” includes—<br /><br />(a) the discarded ends of cigarettes, cigars and like products, and<br /><br />(b) discarded chewing-gum and the discarded remains of other products designed for chewing.”<br /><br />If a court holds that it does, then every smoker is liable for a £75 fine every time they smoke a cigarette in the street. I do not believe that to be parliament’s intention.<br /><br />On Friday, the threatening ‘Final Demand’ from Sandwell Council, warning her that she now faces a £2,500 fine plus costs (and possible imprisonment if she does not pay that) expired. The next opportunity for Mrs Martin to contest this matter will come in ‘some months time’ – the council cannot tell me when her case will arrive at the top of their back log of cases to appear in the Magistrates court.<br /><br />Sheila Martin is frightened, intimidated, and feels helpless in the face of this prosecution. She is in delicate health, aggravated by stress, and I have asked the council to reconsider their decision to press ahead with what may well be an interesting test case defining a cigarette end, but which will be at the expense of a frail and elderly person. They have referred me to their ‘revised Enforcement Policy’ – which makes for terrifying reading, a fine example of the totalitarian government Sheila’s Father fought so bravely to prevent. (available HERE)<br /><br />Nick Hogan, who I was instrumental in rescuing from prison after similar council action, has joined with me, the Libertarian Party and the Sunday Mercury, to ensure that Sheila suffers as little as possible from the council’s intransience.<br /><br />We have already arranged for some very high powered legal representation for her, to put her mind at rest, and I have promised her that she will go to prison ‘over my dead body’ – she is obviously unable to pay this fine, or incremental increases of it, and I have personally guaranteed her that somehow I will make sure that she doesn’t have to pay it herself, nor go to prison.<br /><br />There is no need for money at present, all the legal beagles so far involved are kindly donating their time and expertise free of charge – although if there are any other lawyers out there who would like to join the team, this is one broth that will not be spoiled by too many cooks. My e-mail address is on the contact section of this blog.<br /><br />70 years ago we were prepared to ‘fight them on the beaches’ – how appropriate that today we prepare to f’ight them on the Sandwell……’Guthrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17499979740864497256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274016357221166175.post-24231329794501342652010-08-08T09:27:00.001+01:002010-08-08T09:27:15.809+01:00Couldn't We All Just Have A Whip Around?Fascinating to see Aunty reporting on <a HREF=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10904958>the return of the milk snatcher</a> this morning:<br /><br /><blockquote><i>The government is considering cutting a UK-wide scheme offering free milk for under-fives in nursery or daycare, the BBC has learned.</blockquote></i><br /><br />A few obvious things first:<br /><br />1. As the ~£60 million price tag shows (no doubt actually costing about £90 after it's churned through HMRC) it is hardly "free".<br />2. Who it's not "free" to: we've been piling up the IOUs so long it's no longer the kids drinking it that are paying but their children; and we've debt interests eclipsing our Education and armed forces budget they're paying over the odds as is.<br /><br />That all said is it really beyond the realms of possibility to pay for this through charitable means? The outcry will be state-paid milk being stolen from the poor; is paying through a consortium of private charities at local level with nationally agreed pricing with milk companies really that difficult? Assuming the simple shopper isn't paying over the odds it a little under a quid each a year to keep 5 year olds in milk.<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274016357221166175.post-82518191360045324192010-08-04T08:16:00.002+01:002010-08-04T08:19:14.237+01:00Note From The Treasurer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGb4rTxG0mJEP1q9azxrcC2x5LjgtQdpzr8SRbkF5Dj6OkS06pYSptD8eKhzd6nnfehnYTuGeZ5swMuv4VXPSLx-kG6nuVtz9-VAhSVcEYNi26Xo_Pn5yUD0Lzasbq2q9_igOqOTcf8o/s1600/LPUK+LOGO+99.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGb4rTxG0mJEP1q9azxrcC2x5LjgtQdpzr8SRbkF5Dj6OkS06pYSptD8eKhzd6nnfehnYTuGeZ5swMuv4VXPSLx-kG6nuVtz9-VAhSVcEYNi26Xo_Pn5yUD0Lzasbq2q9_igOqOTcf8o/s400/LPUK+LOGO+99.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501450735233714370" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I would like to thank everybody, Member and supporters who so generously made a donation to the Party in July, however made. We do not get the support of major companies or unions and are totally reliant on your generosity.<br /><br />There is so much more that the Libertarian Party can and must do. Tim Carpenter and Andrew Withers have been on mainstream TV and Radio in the last few weeks, so we are slowly prizing the door open.<br /><br />We are painfully aware that we are in a difficult economic period, which is why I am trying to build a war chest for next May slowly and surely. Therefore every pound we collect in is so valuable.<br /><br /><br />Please keep the donations coming in of whatever size. Whilst I am speaking to some serious donors it is your £5, £10 , £20 plus that keeps us going.<br /><br /><br />Direct bank transfer to:<br /><br />sort code 40-28-20<br /><br />account 92635313<br /><br /><br />Please put your surname and if you have one a membership number as a reference.Guthrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17499979740864497256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274016357221166175.post-33769016537265666422010-08-03T15:55:00.001+01:002010-08-03T15:55:42.562+01:00Fill Yer Boots<blockquote><I>Has the TV licence had its day?<br />Free market thinktank the Adam Smith Institute has called for the TV licence fee to be scrapped, arguing that a BBC subscription model would be better for the industry and avoid criminalising poorer people. Is this the best way forward?</blockquote></I><br /><br /><a href=http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/poll/2010/aug/02/bbc-tv-licence-fee-adam-smith-institute>Get</a> stuck in.<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274016357221166175.post-81921864711006685232010-07-04T23:58:00.001+01:002010-07-04T23:58:46.221+01:00Next Yorkshire Libertarians MeetupI owe you all a massive apology.<br /><br />The last 3 months have been a fierce battle to put food on the table and keep myself working and I have neglected my post as coordinator.<br /><br />I would very much like to make up for that and apologise in person to our members at the next regional meeting, after which I hope to make the meetings a considerably more regular occurence.<br /><br />A general email will go out soon but if people can suggest dates when their free this month and next I would grateful; email me at tjerubbaal@googlemail.com or leave comments in this post - will respond as they come.<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274016357221166175.post-88959075251238526432010-07-04T23:53:00.000+01:002010-07-04T23:54:16.754+01:00Benefits?DK <a href=http://www.devilskitchen.me.uk/2010/07/poor-and-choices.html>provides a succinct rebuttal to Shuggy on the subject of the poor, benefits and choices</a>.<br /><br /><blockquote>But the money given to the poor is supposed to serve a certain purpose—that is, to allow them to stay alive. Even Beveridge maintained that benefits should only be at a "subsistance level".<br /><br />If there is a social contract, it is that those of us who work agree to be taxed to ensure that those who have no work are not lying about, starving in the streets. This is a cost of living in a society, and it also answers the demands of basic humanity.<br /><br />But the money does not belong to the poor to do what they want with it, it is not provided to give them "choices": it is there for a specific purpose—to ensure that they can stay alive. If they want "choices" then they must go out and earn their own cash.</blockquote><br /><br />This morning at Breakfast Mrs Tomrat and I discussed the insanity that is out education system; she relayed a story her student teacher told her about one of our youth group members, who's first placement had been at their school- they told us they were one (of many) who was provided with a PE kit whilst the teachers washed and dried their school uniform and any other clothes they had brought. Another needed to be provided with sanitary towels.<br /><br />In neither case was this a result of financial poverty; were it, the parents could have asked a half dozen agencies for help; no, this was a result of <I>parents not caring</I>- the former being sent in with dirty clothes by work-shy wasters, the latter by a parent telling their daughter to use school toilet roll.<br /><br />What have we become? I cannot conceive in my head using my child as a meal ticket*. Nor can I fully comprehend the sheer level we have debased ourselves to for a few scraps from our leaders tables, filled ironically from our own pantries.<br /><br />I've an alternative suggestion that I've mooted before: <I>make the individuals tax free allowance exchangeable, tax-interchangeable and set no minimum/maximum pricing for it's sale (unfortunately requiring an income tax for obvious reasons).</I><br /><br />So married couple want to have a stay at home parent/part time worker; this is made easier to achieve by transfer of all/part of their tax credit, leaving more money for them to make more choices.<br /><br />A NEET uses his to subsidise training and work placements, bartering for accommodation and a living wage whilst doing so via his company, who use it to lower their corporate tax take.<br /><br />An unemployed middle-aged man cashes his piecemeal at a negotiated rate to a private friendly society who sell it as a commoditised corporate tax subsidy - charities and business alike shoot up to thrive in this environment; businesses carry charity and friendly-society logos on their websites stating they give competitive rates of exchange/services in return for their tax credits.<br /><br />Their is a natural cyclical nature to how the subsidy works: in a recession the tax take goes down as does the costs of maintaining the unemployed, carried by those surviving businesses building up the necessary capital to be profitable, invest and create jobs. As more people are laid off there is more tax credits competing for less money, incentivising the owners to seek the best use of their voucher, whether by work or by exchange.<br /><br />You will not fix the problem of worklessness, faux-entitlement and children-abuse with schemes encouraging sucking at the teat of the state; they need to take charge and see the consequences of their actions - that needn't be starving children because of greedy, frankly evil and conceited parents, nor do we need to put them in such an impoverished state they have few places to turn, merely getting people addicted to responsibility and the freedom it affords will be enough.<br /><br /><I>* = yes as a father I do claim tax credits and child benefit and I do so with a straight face- as far as I'm concerned this is a tax rebate and would swap it tomorrow if I could for a smaller state, lower taxes and less fanning around.<br /><br />Whilst I'm sure folks like the <a HREF=http://www.boatangdemetriou.com/>Popular Front of Judea</a> would balk at the prospect of taking the man's money so regularly I am perfectly content - I become more or less tax neutral at my current salary and I have no problems with the waste coming out of other peoples pockets, after all, if you don't like it, stop voting the twerps in.</I><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274016357221166175.post-57635712767269479522010-06-29T22:19:00.001+01:002010-06-29T22:19:40.421+01:00The Target For This Month<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoT915LpkhX-DjxZB9FNY-BQiuOCJeuBIz5W9uRW_jxr2u-bIEPptTe9n4IjEpkLN0zNBn9hXR-qB7j7I3xp1C7TjJSJziiTqNpZIe9hpB36gnoZnRtPlvz2q85XwW1pool7jJAXzozLxx/s1600/LPUK+LOGO+99.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoT915LpkhX-DjxZB9FNY-BQiuOCJeuBIz5W9uRW_jxr2u-bIEPptTe9n4IjEpkLN0zNBn9hXR-qB7j7I3xp1C7TjJSJziiTqNpZIe9hpB36gnoZnRtPlvz2q85XwW1pool7jJAXzozLxx/s400/LPUK+LOGO+99.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488305635449888754" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We need to start raising funds for the local Elections in 2011, I would like to appeal to all members and supporters to donate what you can this month.<br /><br />Our account number is 92635313 Sort Code 40-28-20<br /><br />Our immediate target is £2000. We are looking to open a permanent office to handle donations and all the other administration and membership applications.<br /><br />Times are hard but every £5 and £10 is income in the right direction.Guthrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17499979740864497256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274016357221166175.post-27925326771101135182010-05-28T15:55:00.001+01:002010-05-28T15:55:23.318+01:00Working For The Man<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YfI3YxzwGtg&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YfI3YxzwGtg&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Guthrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17499979740864497256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274016357221166175.post-76569201533492273412010-05-11T16:43:00.000+01:002010-05-11T16:44:04.249+01:00Day Of Days !<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8fKVDJRqybxD5z8H_UbQjkL2bnbm1I5Iely2ISH7uuLIHb4GAJxwCZxEDMGtNmePTAAbF-R78VZeOdF6cSnW2sEVrUD_A4jRs4UXArItG46iIy-IUMRTWlrSfBsvfuHQ2HN4pTmo4fSk/s1600/Brown+Quits.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 315px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8fKVDJRqybxD5z8H_UbQjkL2bnbm1I5Iely2ISH7uuLIHb4GAJxwCZxEDMGtNmePTAAbF-R78VZeOdF6cSnW2sEVrUD_A4jRs4UXArItG46iIy-IUMRTWlrSfBsvfuHQ2HN4pTmo4fSk/s400/Brown+Quits.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470033878347805826" /></a><br /><br />Guido has unconfirmed Reports he has gone.<br /><br />Quick Get a stake to drive through Mandelson's 'heart' to make sureGuthrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17499979740864497256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274016357221166175.post-1968294049447926212010-04-30T09:18:00.002+01:002010-05-11T16:44:36.063+01:00ELECTORAL REFORM NOW !<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/g76l5wUgjb4&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/g76l5wUgjb4&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Guthrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17499979740864497256noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274016357221166175.post-30174163628826765432010-04-30T08:30:00.001+01:002010-04-30T08:30:26.268+01:00Something We Should SupportFrom my inbox yesterday:<br /><br /><blockquote><i>Dear Friend, <br /><br />As election day gets closer and closer it is vital that the expenses crisis isn't drowned out in promises and spin. Over the last two years the Sunlight Centre's largest campaigns and investigations have been into the Smith Institute and former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith. With your help we want to remind voters about this in the run up to polling day.<br /><br />Not many people, and certainly not many of his constituents, know the role that Ed Balls played in the scandal around Gordon Brown's favourite, think-tank The Smith Institute, and its breach of the charity laws covering party political activity. <br /> <br />Following the Charity Commission investigation initiated by the Sunlight COPs, the board of the charity had to resign. In the year between leaving the Treasury as Brown's Special Adviser and becoming an MP, <b>Ed Balls was paid close to £89,000 to write two pamphlets for the sham organisation</b>. We want to tell the voters in his constituency of Morley and Outwood about this so the Sunlight Centre will be running an advert highlighting this and his expenses claims throughout the local paper websites in his constituency. We also want to remind Jacqui Smith's constituents of her role as the "poster girl" of the expenses crisis. <br /> <br />Electoral Laws allow us to spend £500 in each constituency, <b>but we need your help in order to raise these funds.</b> If you could please <a href=http://www.sunlight-cops.org.uk/donate/>contribute perhaps £10, £20, or £50</a> then together we can make sure that these two rotten elements of the last rotten parliament are not returned on election day. <br /> <br />Thank you in advance,<br /> <br />Harry Cole<br /><br />Media Director <br />The Sunlight Centre</I></blockquote><br /><br />LPUK has asked it membership and friends to donate what they can. Frequently. And it has enabled us to grow, gain new members and expand beyond just being 5 men on the Internet getting together with an idea.<br /><br />Our membership is not made up of rich City workers managing the bailout money this government has taken from our pockets. Our donors are not rent seeking public sector union proto-communists or big-business lobbyists; our membership is the vast unsung heroes of the real free England, the kind who understand that wealth is more than shiny baubles, but that the pennies are important, including the ones the government takes from them and squanders. It is those who are stopped in the street for no good reason and are imprisoned for telling the agent of the state that what they are doing is none of their business.<br /><br />I ask <I>our</I> membership, yet again to support a cause out of self-interest; it is in your interests to tell these thieves, these flippers and their petty, flacid authority where to go- the dole queue.<br /><br />Put what you can towards it. <br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274016357221166175.post-13726759327832677352010-04-28T14:21:00.001+01:002010-04-28T14:21:18.948+01:00Libertarian Party Manifesto 2010We have seen much of the big three party's manifesto pledges. To this end I submit for review the Libertarian Party manifesto. Please note that you can compare this manifesto by carrying out a search for your party's name along with the terms manifesto and the year.<br /><br />If the views presented are more to your liking perhaps you should contact the party, donate, become involved or a combination of all of the three!<br /><br />In a country where we are individuals having choice is important. We should be aware of the decisions our representatives are making, the impact they have not just on our lives but that of all people and ensure our voices are being heard.<br /><br /><a title="View Libertarian+Manifesto on Scribd" href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/30632138/Libertarian-Manifesto" style="margin: 12px auto 6px auto; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; display: block; text-decoration: underline;">Libertarian+Manifesto</a> <object id="doc_542655412980512" name="doc_542655412980512" height="600" width="450" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf" style="outline:none;" > <param name="movie" value="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf"><param name="wmode" value="opaque"><param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="FlashVars" value="document_id=30632138&access_key=key-2bxq7sdxbqdu31gq30a3&page=1&viewMode=list"><embed id="doc_542655412980512" name="doc_542655412980512" src="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=30632138&access_key=key-2bxq7sdxbqdu31gq30a3&page=1&viewMode=list" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="600" width="450" wmode="opaque" bgcolor="#ffffff"></embed> </object><br /><br />EDIT: For those of you that require this document in another format please email <br />sutton @lpuk.orgGuthrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17499979740864497256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274016357221166175.post-20933883129633766652010-04-27T16:08:00.001+01:002010-04-27T16:08:54.241+01:00Too Good, Or Depressing?, To Let Drift Back Into The Ether<a HREF=http://freedominourtime.blogspot.com/2010/04/borders-are-closing-in.html>All freedom-loving peoples should read this; what happens in America happens here a few years later</a>. <br /><br />What a sad turn of events.<br /><br />Fools the lot of them.<br /><br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274016357221166175.post-79217799979125844872010-04-20T16:58:00.000+01:002010-04-20T16:59:26.541+01:00Right Problem, Idiotically Wrong Solution<blockquote><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/04/20/672.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/04/20/s_672.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><I>Finally someone gets it</i></blockquote><br /><br />Had a very early morning today when my daughter decided sleep was for the weak at 3am. Still serendipity meant I took a different commute this morning which enabled to pass closer to the uni than usual, in turn passing some beardy wierdy, sandalista's handing out the above; the lower half is here: <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/04/20/674.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/04/20/s_674.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Isn't it amazing how so many people arrive at the right conclusion to our present idiots in power- that they are all clones - but end up at radically different solutions?<br /><br />Where the AGS see a change in who controls the knobs of power I just see a bunch of knobs, needing to be thrown out.<br /><br />Nice to see common ground though.<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274016357221166175.post-48211434886201589292010-04-15T13:13:00.001+01:002010-04-15T13:13:36.014+01:00When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUf3nQd5WDK33uLzzGAU9ab9KAnMe2TpVPiAfz0B897ATCy0l6HqIDhrc1GOyk8rLP90RMiol-KfFDugAzGiNgDkyVJKlmazb4xyPwRqEGionO3Hogc2YgwP4uXrpkY6tmTIYmcPVTWNn/s1600/Neill.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 235px; height: 350px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUf3nQd5WDK33uLzzGAU9ab9KAnMe2TpVPiAfz0B897ATCy0l6HqIDhrc1GOyk8rLP90RMiol-KfFDugAzGiNgDkyVJKlmazb4xyPwRqEGionO3Hogc2YgwP4uXrpkY6tmTIYmcPVTWNn/s400/Neill.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460328963767817282" /></a><br /><br />Apologies for the late comment on yesterday's Daily Politics show with this delectable washed up hack <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Neil">Mr Andrew Neil</a> (61). Pictured here with yet another young lovely not the one that had previously been photographed with wearing a baseball hat that Private Eye repeatedly reprinted.<br /><br />Anyway, the disgust that this hack produced yesterday has led to a glut of membership applications and donations to our tiny and irrelevant party in the last twenty four hours.<br /><br />Neill and the BBC do not understand the meaning of 'Public Service Broadcasting' for which the BBC has a charter and the ability to enforce a TV tax to pay for itself. Neill felt that it was not his task to question Mounsey on his party's policies, but to play the man himself, attacking his blog. The wee balding scotsman is not fond of anybody who has any association with public schools, so Mounsey was never going to be off to a good start.<br /><br />This morning Chris has deleted his blog, and has made a personal decision to tone down the visceral anger that has been his trademark. <br /><br />Unlike the rest of the BBC, professional politicians and Neil himself sucking off the teat of the public purse, the members of the Libertarian Party are committed amateurs. We cannot afford to have our real jobs and lives threatened by those who feel threatened by having been caught fleecing the public purse in 'Rotten Parliament' and in the BBC.<br /><br />Neill appears in another show were he sits around chuckling with the hypocrite Diane Abbott and the ever bizarre Portillo. If these three are what the BBC thinks represents politics no wonder forty per cent of the population don't vote, and the rest are utterly disillusioned with what is on offer, including the sterile 'Leaders' debate tonight.<br /><br />Dinosaurs ruled the earth once, they do not do so now as they were unable to adapt to a new reality.Guthrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17499979740864497256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274016357221166175.post-30179392875702763502010-04-14T07:50:00.001+01:002010-04-14T07:50:27.526+01:00Cameron A Halfway House Libertarian?Where a libertarian party would simply decree that it is for the individual to build a strong family, get their children into a good school and find work, Cameron's conservatism wants to actively help people secure those three fundamental building blocks of the good life. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/apr/13/david-cameron-change-instalments">Tim Montgomerie</a><br /><br />Yes, it is the Libertarian Party's belief that it is upto you to build your family, get the best education and get work. It is nothing to do with a raft of Quangocrats,Social Workers and politicians setting targets. All of these have removed tesponsibility from the family, along with crushing taxes that would make it financially easier.<br /><br />Cameron has already stated infront of his party conference, that he does not lead a Libertarian Party. I don't want to be a partner in Government, I do not want to govern anybody else.<br /><br />I do want <span style="font-weight:bold;">Government off my back</span>Guthrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17499979740864497256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274016357221166175.post-44790607950530843612010-04-13T09:09:00.001+01:002010-04-13T09:09:29.230+01:00Libertarian Party Leader On 'BBC DAILY POLITICS' Wednesday 14th April<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9G5CtSOJ8WUJFB5hUJKv-ySy2XyyzmlKOQSJIvqRwdGztFwY5LeTpSuyOTlmVkIsEifGq9hTM7TjiuQ-o5hYkOeNHzuU6qbFonDq8dJI0LlUfvY1QqUw1OqIxvg8FLoMyvEINX8ExGy1/s1600/Chris+M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 338px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9G5CtSOJ8WUJFB5hUJKv-ySy2XyyzmlKOQSJIvqRwdGztFwY5LeTpSuyOTlmVkIsEifGq9hTM7TjiuQ-o5hYkOeNHzuU6qbFonDq8dJI0LlUfvY1QqUw1OqIxvg8FLoMyvEINX8ExGy1/s400/Chris+M.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459528901233652658" /></a><br /><br />Fresh from the bearpit that was 'The Big Question' on BBC last Sunday (available on BBC iPlayer) Chris Mounsey is on the Daily Politics Show tomorrow Wednesday 14th.<br /><br />Hopefully there will not be a member of the medical profession on the programme as per last Sunday who said 'I'm a Libertarian too, but I want everything banned' (paraphrasing a bit there I know)<br /><br />Chris will be putting forward the proposition that the State should get out of our lives.Guthrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17499979740864497256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274016357221166175.post-25552431601010852912010-04-13T08:29:00.001+01:002010-04-13T08:29:25.154+01:00Appeal For FundsI would like to thank everybody members,supporters and non members for their financial support over the last week, however we have to up our income significantly over the next few weeks to support our candidates.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">PLEASE DONATE WHAT YOU CAN</span>Guthrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17499979740864497256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274016357221166175.post-5357840904872131232010-04-12T10:33:00.001+01:002010-04-12T10:33:16.957+01:00Martin Cullip to stand in Sutton & Cheam<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFj8OOQc-iDq-a79AqUF5TqGYB187RkgWG91YXwRVGOa4-eoa0eqYDPftaBS-cnMlpQwFdBslpJ0XHU9bsv8F97KZlUuTMeT2nyBAxdZybUIt8pKsLw17GboGpxdLH_VtYmwneb6oNwVQ/s1600/Martin+Cullip.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 314px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFj8OOQc-iDq-a79AqUF5TqGYB187RkgWG91YXwRVGOa4-eoa0eqYDPftaBS-cnMlpQwFdBslpJ0XHU9bsv8F97KZlUuTMeT2nyBAxdZybUIt8pKsLw17GboGpxdLH_VtYmwneb6oNwVQ/s400/Martin+Cullip.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459181333689356482" /></a><br /><br />Martin's website will be going live shortly.Guthrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17499979740864497256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274016357221166175.post-54418503620243447552010-04-12T08:55:00.000+01:002010-04-12T08:56:18.981+01:00Long OverdueIn my role as regional coordinator I sent out a message to our regions members inviting them out for a drink to discuss views, concerns and the like and be surrounded by like-minded people.<br /><br />The date proposed was this Sunday, 17th April - as there were some issues last time with some individuals wanting to show up to cause trouble I will refrain from putting the time and place up here, so if you would like tone reminded, or if your not a member and would like to know more then please email me at:<br /><br />thomas.howell@lpuk.org.uk<br /><br />If you have any concerns/ideas I'm the interim please do not hesitate to contact me.<br /><br />See you Sunday!<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274016357221166175.post-25631363473703701732010-04-11T14:35:00.000+01:002010-04-11T14:38:11.232+01:00Brilliant Dilbert Illustrating How The Law Can Pervert Justice<br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/04/11/603.jpg'><img src='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/04/11/s_603.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='125' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Remember if it doesn't cover the rights you bear intrinsically it is most likely to screw over someone. <br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0