9 Replies to “Ralph Underhill cartoon”

  2. Personally I’m pro-eu, my job kind of depends on the fact we can trade quite freely with the EU, also because of my job I like the working time directive which is high up on the tory hit-list to scrap, yet the debate always seems to come round to immigration, with pig ignorant brits not realising how many people have retired from the UK and moved to places like Spain etc.
    But at times I do wonder what’s the point of the EU when you read blog posts after blog posts about this government (and previous) have ridden rough shot all over the enviromental laws refered to in Ralphs cartoon….

  4. The Tories and Liberals are intent on De-constructing this country and due to the majority of the people suffering from apathy, they are succeeding.

  5. Nigella can stay as long as she licks her fingers and goes mmm…. every 30secs of TV

  6. Its worth taking a step back and trying to imagine the future for this country.

    The UK has been dwarfed by the US’ 200m population for the past 50 years – imagine that against the billions of China and India ! But perhaps in contrast to the US (too big) we have the potential to become a ’boutique’ nation on the international scene – with culture, a pleasant, safe environment and stable, uncorrupt Government and financial systems (a bit of work needed there).

    We should be about selling skills and education, cutting edge inventiveness and imagination, a great place to live to do business. The US has made it quite clear they see the UK as a doorway to Europe – and there are positive links, especially the English language, with India.

    So what are we doing ? This historically internationalist nation is up to its old games of doing its best to destabilise our continental neighbours, its closing the door to paying Chinese students, slagging off immigrant communities that by and large have contributed massively to our national success (the Huguenots, German Jewish scientists, Ugandan Asians to name a few) and Michael Gove doesn’t think the arts are worth much – worth remembering as we celebrate the next Star wars coming to Britain, a shining example of art and science coming together in the future economy. And of course, we want to write off that very environment which is not just a nice think for us greenies – as another Milliband, David, pointed out in a 2007 speech it takes more than good airport connections to attract the ‘footloose international executives’ who power the global economy.

    And what is the difference between Nigel Lawson & cos campaign against climate change and the Tobacco industry’s attempts to discredit the health risks of smoking ? Apparently as much as £100m of neo-liberal money has been filtered invisibly into the climate change denial industry in the US and some of is trickling down to Europe. Of course, far, far more has been spent on CC science – but CC science is trying to unravel some very complicated scientific problems, whereas the deniers have just one objective – to exploit the inevitable uncertainties of that science in the most partisan and predjudiced ways possible,

  8. Beware of the new way of dealing with EU wildlife sites. Natural England seeks to sort out all the conditions for any new development affecting EU sites with the developer to make it ‘acceptable’ beforehand and before the public knows anything about it. Under the guise of efficiency [aka easier] – it is called working with developers and NE is proud of it (eg see http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/planningdevelopment/das/tariff.aspx.) When the application is submitted to the Local Planning Authority there is no need for an Appropriate Assessment under the Habitats Regulations because when the LPA asks NE’s advice it will be ‘all alright’ – having all been sorted out beforehand! Naturally the public can still ‘comment’ in the planning process, but the LPA officers will then report to the planning committee that NE says its ‘alright’. Any local authority, in morbid fear of costs against it if they ignore NE ‘advice’, will be guided by what NE says. There are many of us who already know this.

    Under the Habitats Regulations there is a proper stage in the Assessment process where the public can be involved as appropriate. This is vital, for NE and the LPA do not know all the information, which many local people have and which may be relevant to a decision. If this new arrangement is to be the way ahead, you could possibly live with it as a more efficient way forward, but only if there is a formal opportunity for the public to participate. This needs to be at the time NE is considering a proposal before the application is made and before any conditions which might make it acceptable to avoid harm are formulated. This would allow for transparency and community engagement. Natural England is funded from the public purse, although it is widely known that they are looking to secure other revenue streams. Private arrangements with commercial developers might be construed as a conflict of interest and developers will no doubt claim ‘ confidentiality’ until an application is actually made!. So, not much chance then?

    If there is no provision for public input at the earliest stage, it is a huge erosion of democracy on issues of vital importance to our environment and well-being. Narrowing the issue to make it extremely difficult for the public to be properly heard later when a planning application emerges is tantamount to exclusion and discrimination?

    I’d like to think that no UK Government would wish to exclude the public from being heard. So, for democracy’s sake just leave the procedures with the Habitats Regulations as they are/have been for years? Or better still do more to ensure they are properly used, complied with and enforced if necessary.

Comments are closed.