Policy

  • The EU is purposefully digitising – but at a slow pace

    The EU’s run at being idiosyncratic continues with its push for the digitisation of much of its infrastructure, and it shows. There are also indications it may not just be a public communications type of problem for them.

    Its clumsy engagement with American technology giants has come up as one teething issue. It cannot shake the reputation of being backward when it comes to its rejection of harmless social media platforms. The sponsor of liberal culture has run into a controversy of its own making.

    At the same time as the largest confusion of human population in Europe in the modern era, it seeks to streamline travel in a largely restriction-free zone. It penalises those with passports, ignores those without documentation, and is silent on the giveaway culture of some States, like Spain.

    It’s also believed that at the same time as impromptu, enthusiastic drives for post-Brexit relations, the EU has still not secured its own trade arrangements. Their rules are still open to hacking. They’re subject to regular attacks by crime gangs that just won’t give up.

    In the UK, planning issues have been raised before in regard to reforms in central European institutions. After decades it looks like chaos is still a reality. Its ideologues are still having their way with levers of power, like drunk crazy idiots.

  • Reform UK shout their anti-immigration stance from the rooftops

    Reform UK today outlined their proposals for immigration reform if they entered government on the back of news about the Dover Crossings and the currency it has in the UK population.

    Nigel Farage MP (Clacton/Reform UK) is a leader who’s mounting a challenge against the laziness by public servants, perceived in the halls of power as seemingly incapable of wielding the might of the state against illegal boats.

    Nigel Farage speaking today about his worries over the potential rise of extremism in the UK.

    Their ‘program’ involves passing an Illegal Migration Mass Deportation Act, principally, it seems, to prevent Justices from stopping removal flights, a bugbear of conservatives of late in the UK, and a part of the effort to deal with the successful arrival of illegal entrants.

    They also want to exit the ECHR to fast-track decisions here; make it obligatory by law for a Home Secretary to remove illegal entrants; and to setup a UK Deportation Command to “track down, and detain” illegal entrants wherever they are.

    These were triumphantly announced at a press conference by Zia Yusuf, not an MP as yet for Reform UK but touted as their ‘Shadow Home Secretary’, a tall order for an unelected, former chairman of the party, and technically only its Spokesperson for Home Affairs for now.

  • DOGE goes further forward

    It’s believed DOGE – an aptly renamed US government department – has folded or at least doesn’t exist. It’s not true, according to its main X account as of yesterday.

    The efficiency-driving, cost-cutting initiative has so far ended hundreds of millions of dollars of waste, according to its proponents.

    It’s not popular, however, in some media circles since it’s perceived as having a flawed basis or producing bogus claims to success.

  • Is the government forcing errors?

    The immigration system is still a subject of debate, showing that the UK is bad at enforcement and even worse at sticking to its own rules.

    The constant remarks about changes to it can be seen as a forcing of errors, a last resort approach that’s the best of the worst ideas.

    The push for more regulation – and ideas – isn’t the same as keeping our interests squarely in view. It won’t work if we keep changing our minds on it after every election.

  • Energy shouldn’t be run by criminals

    The drive for green energy is really a push for energy security and for lower prices overall. We don’t want oil from rich Arab states or gas from Russia, for instance. This is the practical reality also of being shifted out because such states are moving on. We’re going to be out of the game at some point anyway, and we’re not in big league politics anymore.

    “The government is investing in renewable and nuclear energy to get the UK off the rollercoaster of fossil fuel prices and onto clean, homegrown power it controls, protecting the British people and building a system that can bring down bills for good.”

    However, the homegrown industry being developed principally by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is a jobs growth initiative and an infrastructure bonanza. It’s not the supermarket sweep for cheaper pricing structures that we so desperately need. It’s not just a lack of focus, it’s a lack of direction. If the Secretary of State doesn’t pick it up, we’ll all be the poorer for it.

  • Can the Conservatives control people movement?

    The Conservatives have their annual conference starting today, and the timing is apt. There is a crisis in every sphere of government. The Labour party has swept into power for a moment in time, but despite spending pledges and effort to ease it, the Dover Crossings crisis is continuing to bite at the nation’s patience.

    A graphic provided by the UK Conservative party showing a 7-point plan (via @Conservatives, X).

    The plans set out by the Conservatives now seem to show its approach is taking shape. The push for exit from international agreements and further innovations to touch base with illegal entrants into our country are bold moves at a status quo. Yet the future is a far flung thing. Its task is to either convince the government, or get in front of the country.

  • Exclusive: Labour dissent on Dover Crossings

    It has emerged that Labour figures are at odds over the importance of the Dover Crossings.

    It’s alleged a member of the Cabinet has said “it strengthens ‘the economy’,” meaning the activity of a criminal fraternity.

    The Prime Minister is under pressure to order Border Force to resume normal operations to meet levels of criminal activity.

  • Exclusive: FCDO staff doubt outreach

    It’s a torrid time for the Foreign, Commonwealth, & Development Office. According to disgruntled staff, the policies spun around about outreach to other states aren’t sufficient.

    The hacks that work in research for the Department have cited poor rationales and lack of detail in its approach to work.

    It’s alleged the particular issue is over small states, such as Belgium and Portugal, that receive little to no attention at times.

    It’s not clear if any staff are thinking of throwing in the towel, but many think the UK needs to work harder to do better. Otherwise, it’s thought, the UK will suffer a sharp drop in overall respect.

  • Prisons are solutions, not a crisis

    The scathing Independent Review of Prison Capacity, published earlier this month, suggested a long run of Conservative failures during 2010 and 2024. The conclusion of fourteen years of Conservative rule is suggested to be a single open prison, or its equivalent.

    “The net effect is that fewer than 500 places have been added to total operational capacity between 2010 and 2024.”

    This is not reflective of the rhetoric and campaigning that Conservatives undertook at a similar time. It’s also not sympathetic to those MP’s in leadership who formerly chose to prioritise it. It’s an indictment of its overall purpose.

    The first challenge is to overcome a manufactured crisis driven by inferior, often youthful interests. The second is to ignore an immature, felt version of wisdom and to follow the needs of the Prison estate. It’s far more important than a village people mindset.

  • Gov. ramps up boats response

    The Government is spending big to go large to fight traffickers.

    It’s said £100 million will go to enforcement bodies across the UK to boost response.

    It includes Border Security Command, the National Crime Agency, and the Police.

    It also said criminals placing ads online will be prosecuted with an amendment to the Border Security, Asylum, and Immigration Bill.

  • Vagrancy no longer a crime by next year

    Vagrancy is going to be declared legal by next year. A repeal of the Vagrancy Act 1824 paves the way for fairer treatment of homeless people.

    It also means greater understanding will guide care given.

    It’s a hot button issue for many of the social justice campaigners who see the injustices homeless people face everyday.

    Lord Bird in particular has championed homeless rights and fronted many causes. He’s the founder of The Big Issue magazine.

  • Fake Information: Bank work is necessary for the State

    It’s not to true to say banks have any role to play in modern Government. In fact, it’s more important that all financial activity is regulated rather than its clerks consulted.

    No bank staff are required to work in alignment or alongside any in Government to formulate any sort of policy.

    It may be necessary to clarify a position in regards to other financial matters, but usually it’s official, by appointment, and not for political ends.

  • Chancellor falls back on promise

    It’s not good news for Chancellor Rachel Reeves MP (Leeds West and Pudsey/Labour). The Office for Budget Responsibility estimates her Department borrowed over £150 billion in the last year. It’s 15.8% more than the year before it.

    Her promise to end reliance on borrowing is falling flat. It also shows analysts in the Treasury are falling behind. It’s not a good look for Labour. Neither is it promotional material for a Civil Service said to be good at doing it. This begs to differ.

  • Canada looks to build back better

    The triumph of Donald Trump has pulled Canada into close quarters and into a new sort of limelight. He keeps mentioning it as a 51st state. It’s an awkard request for a country that knows it still owes itself to the Crown. Yet the overtures are flattering in a time when being noticed gets you to places anyway.

    However, it’s the sort of popularity that puts some people on edge. If a rebound from Canada is on the cards it might do it for Trump too. It has already started to make sure plans. The stepping down of Justin Trudeau has come at a shaky time. If a rocky start is ahead for a new incumbent it will include outreach.

    It looks like Canada already has a new drive behind it that’s epitomised in part by a bunch of business people getting together. The new Apprentice-looking type of formation, called ‘Build Canada’, is an enterprising initiative with an optimistic goal in mind: to make it the richest country in the world.

    It’s led by a top team. It’s worth taking a look if you’re Canadian. The rest of us will have to wait. They’ve got a lot of experience. It’s also a Canada-first project that draws swords early. The priorities listed so far are in the trending category of popular culture. If it can pack a punch in a competitive arena isn’t yet clear.