Media Coverage of the Irish Referendum (Mark II)

... I don't think that it requires a great deal of imagination (or healthy cynicism?) to infer what the implications of this, rather 'low-key', announcement will entail...

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0806/1224252080503.html

Bouncers - the new Sheriff's in Dodge City

This, from the 'Brussels Broadcasting Corp.'...I have dealt with 'bouncers' in a proffesional capacity for many years and, while it's true, many are obnoxious 'jobsworths', have you ever tried calling a policeman when suddenly confronted with a violent drunk at 1 A.M.?? Its the deeper symptoms of our ailing society that need addressing.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8168709.stm

When Will the Penny Drop ?

According to a poll published today, 84% of the CON-servative party's membership ( of those asked ) want a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty... Interestingly, 60% wish such a referundum to also question the basis for Britain's continuing involvement/ membership of the Draconian EU.

I wonder for whom the penny will drop first, the CON-servative party' pro-EU leadership, or its members ? Let's hope that it is the latter...

http://conservativehome.blogs.com/.a/6a00d83451b31c69e2011570e3c545970c-pi

'Wanderings of a Pilgrim : In Search of the Picturesque, During Four and Twenty Years in the East' by Fanny Parks (1850)

An absorbing and colourful record of colonial life in early 18th century India - written by an outspoken, cigar-smoking, sitar playing, urdu-speaking 'memsahib'...

http://www.archive.org/stream/wanderingsofpilg01parluoft#page/n5/mode/2up

The EU and 'City' Regulation

Despite the recent 'down-turn', Britain still has by far the largest financial services sector in Europe. However, as a result of the latest EU agreements outlining financial services regulation, Britain will only have a small and relatively ineffectual voice (one of 27 members) in determining precisely what the new rules will be and how their supervison will take place.

The City of London has been pre-eminent as a financial and trading centre for more than 300 years, but as such it is dependent on the versatility of its financial and regulatory enviornment. As a result of this intrusive EU legislation, as well as the pending increase in the UK marginal tax rate to 51.5%, a significant number of firms are already murmuring and considering relocation to Switzerland or elsewhere.

The following article from 'The Times' confirms the handover of British financial services regulation to the EU executive committee:

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/economics/article6539207.ece