Massive opportunity to destroy the UK

Dear [MP's name],

I'm sure you've seen the news.

http://www.politics.co.uk/news/2016/11/15/john-mcdonnell-backs-brexit-enormous-opportunity-britain

Labour today promised to get behind Britain's exit from the European Union, saying they now believed Brexit is an enormous opportunity for the country.

The only thing Brexit represents is an enormous opportunity to destroy our unity, civil rights, workers rights, social services, and economy.

You are a good MP and an intelligent, responsible person. The Labour Party you know and love is no more. Please reconsider your decision to stay. 

Our government needs you, but the Labour Party doesn't want you. If you don't want to join the LibDems, join the Greens, start a new party, open a London branch of the SNP — something, anything. 

Please, for the survival of the UK, consider this.

Kind regards, 

[your name] 

[your address]

Read More

Sleaford and North Hykeham By-election

Dear Lincoln, Sleaford, and North Hykeham Liberal Democrats,

As you know, Stephen Phillips' resignation as an MP was due to irreconcilable differences with Theresa May's government on "child refugees, keeping the UK in the Single Market and the Government's reaction to the Brexit court case to name but three." 

This is our chance to show both the Tories and Labour how reasonable adults behave.

Lincolnshire had some of the highest Leave results in the UK. They're not going to elect a pro-EU candidate — but they might elect one who opposes the worst kind of Brexit. They might elect one who opposes May's totalitarian regime.

I know that Labour have so far refused to cooperate or work together in Richmond Park. This is our chance to be "the bigger man".

Together we can create a more open, inclusive, educated, engaged society, in which everyone has the tools to improve their own lives. Together we can defeat the cataclysm of Brexit — or at least a hard Brexit.

I implore you, please do not field a candidate in the Sleaford and North Hykeham by-election. The harsh reality of this constituency is that neither a LibDem candidate nor a Green one can win. Only a Labour candidate can defeat the far right.

Reject hate. Embrace openness. We don't need to agree on everything, but we must work together to bring our country back from the brink of self-imposed destruction.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

Shannon Clarke 

CC: Tim Farron, LibDem Press Office, More United, Vote for Europe, Open Britain, InFacts, Vote Leave Watch, CommonGround, Represent Us

Read More

Which Is Worse?

I am not American. I have never lived in the US. In the past two decades I've probably spent a combined total of 48 hours there, mainly inside airports.

And yet…

The American presidential election — this American presidential election — is happening on the world stage. It affects us all.

Over the past few days and weeks, I've been growing more and more frightened about this election. I genuinely don't know which outcome is worse. No, I don't mean I can't tell whether a tax-dodging, misogynist, fraud-committing, xenophobic, narcissistic, fascist, homophobic, vain, racist, vengeful, angry, hateful, paedo-rapist cult leader is better or worse than a competent woman who happens to be a bit stern-looking. I'm not a moron.


What I mean is, which is worse:
Donald Trump wins the election and single-handedly sets about destroying the country and the planet?
or
Donald Trump loses the election and his rabid hordes of supporters run riot — raping, pillaging, burning, and murdering everyone and everything in the country?

Genuinely, I do not know.

I know the election will be closer than it ought to be. I know Trump has more supporters than he has any right to. I know the left hates Hillary and many will abstain rather than vote for a candidate who is further right than they would wish. I know many on the right can't bring themselves to vote for a candidate from the "wrong" party and so will abstain. I know many people have bought into the line that she's corrupt and untrustworthy (in spite of all evidence to the contrary) and so will either abstain or vote for the Orange Hitler. I know that many people are frustrated and alienated by the current political establishment and will "protest vote" — much as a similar set of people did here in the UK a few months ago.

I'm terrified for this world and everyone in it.

Read More

Together We Can

Dear Ms Lucas, Mr Corbyn, Ms Sturgeon, Ms Wood, and Mr Farron,

Zac Goldsmith's "resignation" from the Conservative Party and the forthcoming by-election in Richmond Park has created a massive opportunity for all progressive-minded political parties. This is our chance to show the Tories how reasonable adults behave.

Together we can create a more open, inclusive, educated, engaged society, in which everyone has the tools to improve their own lives. Together we can defeat the cataclysm of Brexit — or at least a hard Brexit.

I implore you, Ms Lucas, Mr Corbyn, and Mr Farron, please field one candidate between you. The harsh reality of Richmond Park is that neither a Labour candidate nor a Green one can win. Only a LibDem candidate can defeat Mr Goldsmith.

Ms Sturgeon and Ms Wood, obviously you won't be fielding candidates, but I urge you to lend your support. You have the respect of a great many people in London. An endorsement from either or both of you would have weight.

Reject hate. Embrace openness. We don't need to agree on everything, but we must work together to bring our country back from the brink of self-imposed destruction.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

(Your name here)

CC: More United, Vote for Europe, Open Britain, InFacts, Vote Leave Watch

Read More

Where Do We Go From Here?

Dear (copies sent to: Heidi Alexander, David Lammy, Jess Phililips, and Chuka Umunna),

Firstly, I should say, I'm not one of your constituents; I'm a resident of Lewisham-Deptford. I have already sent the below to my MP, Vicky Foxcroft. 

I'm writing to you today as a former Labour voter. I've followed the stories of your (completely understandable) disenfranchisement from Corbyn's vision for Labour. I've admired your courage and conviction. 

The odds of Corbyn winning the Labour leadership race stand at 98% today (source: https://betdata.io/labour-leadership-2016).

So, what next?

I sincerely hope you'll take Tim Farron up on his offer. I've followed your voting record and I've seen how hard you work for our country; I think you'll find the LibDems a natural fit. The Labour Party no longer values sensible, practical, economically sound principles. I do — and I think you do too.

I hope you give this message sincere and introspective thought.

Thanks.

British by Choice

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/sep/17/farron-invites-labour-and-tory-members-to-join-lib-dems

Read More

Brexit is a Pig in a Poke

Imagine your boss sends you to a sealed-bids auction. Upon arrival you realise you have no idea how much money she wants you to spend, what she wants you to buy, or what the end game is. Obviously you'd put bids on every single item in the auction and hope for the best. Right?

That's the position into which the British public have put Theresa May. You go to that auction, Ms May! You buy that pig in a poke, whatever the cost! Hang on, you didn't buy the wrong pig in a poke, did you? Naughty Theresa!

The argument for invoking Article 50 soon is that negotiations cannot begin until it has been triggered.

But hang on... Are we really ready to begin negotiations?

Surely the first and most important rule in the art of negotiating is to know your own objective. What do you want? What will you accept? You don't go to that auction until you know which item you're there to buy, how badly you want it, and how much you're willing to pay.

So, what do we want? 

Please, do not say, 'out of the EU'. There are several different & contradictory flavours  of Brexit; each has its supporters. 

Some would say that access to the single market outweighs the desire for reduced immigration; others would say the reverse. Some would say we should sever all economic ties to the EU and go straight to WTO rules; others say that's economic and political suicide.

What we as a country need from our government now is for it to research and investigate several viable options. This does not mean negotiating with the EU. This is the pre-negotiation phase. This involves Ms May tasking Mr Davis and his ministry with putting together a short list of Brexit options. These should be presented as deals we think we could actually negotiate along with expert analysis on the implications (to education, employment, taxes, national politics, socioeconomic conditions in the UK, the global financial and political situation, etc.)

In simple terms, these options should include:

1. Something akin to the Norway or Switzerland model
2. Something along the lines of the Canada or Turkey model
3. Moving straight to WTO rules 
4. Remaining in the EU 

This short list must then be set before parliament for them to decide. Then and only then — when we know what we are negotiating for — will we be ready to trigger Article 50.

Read More

Response from Nicola Sturgeon's office

Brilliant response from Nicola Sturgeon's office to my letter. Sounds like they just might be open to #MoreUnited after all. Well, here's hoping...

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <CorrespondenceUnit@gov.scot>
Date: 1 August 2016 at 11:45
Subject: RE: Thanks and Pleas

Thank you for your correspondence following the EU Referendum.

Scotland has delivered a strong, unequivocal vote to remain in the EU with all local authority areas in Scotland voting to remain in the EU and the Scottish Government welcomes that outcome. The Scottish Government firmly believes that EU membership delivers many social, economic and cultural benefits for individuals, businesses and communities across Scotland. We also welcome those EU nationals who have chosen to make Scotland their home and who make an important and valuable contribution to our economy and society.

Given the support in Scotland for remaining in the European Union, the Scottish Government is exploring all options to secure Scotland's interests, and to protect its relationship with the EU and our place in the single market.

In ensuring we consider all options, the First Minister has said that independence has to be considered, however the starting point of our discussions is to protect our place in Europe.  Any decision on a further referendum will be for the Scottish Parliament to take having considered all the options for Scotland's future relationship with the EU.

The Government's approach has been supported by the Scottish Parliament and the First Minister has already begun discussions with the UK Government, other devolved administrations, EU institutions and other member states.

The Scottish Government has also made it clear to the UK Government that we should be consulted before the UK Government begins the process of seeking to negotiate a withdrawal from the EU, and that we should be fully and directly involved in any negotiations in order to ensure Scotland's interests are properly represented.

However it is important to be clear that at this time, the UK remains a member of the EU and the ability to trade with the EU, and the rights of EU citizens, remain unaffected at present.

If you would like any further information on the steps being taken by the Scottish Government to protect Scotland's  relationship with, and place in, the EU, you can find this online at www.gov.scot/Topics/International/Europe/eu-referendum

Thanks again for taking the time to get in touch.

 

Fiona Hyslop

Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs

Read More