Dec
31
As 2008 draws to a
close, I take pride in being able to offer the first New Years message from the
Libertarian Party.
close, I take pride in being able to offer the first New Years message from the
Libertarian Party.
This is the first
year that the Libertarian Party in the UK has been in operation, having launched
itself into the public arena on the 1st January 2008. During this year we have
purposely kept our size and numbers close to our chest as the party has steadily
grown in strength and members throughout the year, not least because we did not
wish to alarm those in the established mainstream parties as to the groundswell
of public opinion that has quietly risen and is eagerly awaiting news of a
general election.
year that the Libertarian Party in the UK has been in operation, having launched
itself into the public arena on the 1st January 2008. During this year we have
purposely kept our size and numbers close to our chest as the party has steadily
grown in strength and members throughout the year, not least because we did not
wish to alarm those in the established mainstream parties as to the groundswell
of public opinion that has quietly risen and is eagerly awaiting news of a
general election.
2008 has seen yet
more civil and personal liberties being swept away under the relentless tide of
new and draconian laws, ever changing by stealth using the statutory instruments
that add meat to the legal frameworks that are rarely discussed in our
parliament. One by one our rights are ever diminished, slice by slice we succumb
to the corporatist money making machine that is backed up by legislative
protection, enforced by a continuing expansion of a privatised policing
structure headed by the ACPO, ever tightening their authoritarian grip over the
everyday lives of the public.
more civil and personal liberties being swept away under the relentless tide of
new and draconian laws, ever changing by stealth using the statutory instruments
that add meat to the legal frameworks that are rarely discussed in our
parliament. One by one our rights are ever diminished, slice by slice we succumb
to the corporatist money making machine that is backed up by legislative
protection, enforced by a continuing expansion of a privatised policing
structure headed by the ACPO, ever tightening their authoritarian grip over the
everyday lives of the public.
If we were to look
back just 10 years, it would have been difficult to imagine a United Kingdom in
such disarray, in such financial trouble, with such elitist authoritarian aims
of its politicians, but that is indeed where we stand today.
back just 10 years, it would have been difficult to imagine a United Kingdom in
such disarray, in such financial trouble, with such elitist authoritarian aims
of its politicians, but that is indeed where we stand today.
As I look forward to
the New Year, I like most others wonder what 2009 will bring. It is clear that
it will become much worse before it gets any better, both in political and
financial terms, as mass unemployment, financial hardship, bankruptcy, evictions
and mass criminalisation of the population takes its toll, and where there is no
let up on the volume of new statutes and SI's increasing our daily financial
burden.
the New Year, I like most others wonder what 2009 will bring. It is clear that
it will become much worse before it gets any better, both in political and
financial terms, as mass unemployment, financial hardship, bankruptcy, evictions
and mass criminalisation of the population takes its toll, and where there is no
let up on the volume of new statutes and SI's increasing our daily financial
burden.
The mass of
regulation imposed by the EU, rubber stamped by Westminster is also increasing,
making UK business and industry less and less competitive in the wider world, as
taxes of one sort or another increase the financial strain for business to
survive and keep employment levels stable. With Sterling now at parity with the
Euro and the National Debt increasing on a daily basis beyond all records, the
UK economy is inexorably being driven into the ground.
regulation imposed by the EU, rubber stamped by Westminster is also increasing,
making UK business and industry less and less competitive in the wider world, as
taxes of one sort or another increase the financial strain for business to
survive and keep employment levels stable. With Sterling now at parity with the
Euro and the National Debt increasing on a daily basis beyond all records, the
UK economy is inexorably being driven into the ground.
At what stage the
Government will dare to go to the country is anyone's guess, and whilst it
is fairly certain that the current Government will be swept from power at any
free election, there is still uncertainty as to who will be best placed to serve
the real interests of the nation overall.
Government will dare to go to the country is anyone's guess, and whilst it
is fairly certain that the current Government will be swept from power at any
free election, there is still uncertainty as to who will be best placed to serve
the real interests of the nation overall.
In this new
corporatist world, we can see little difference between any of the 3 major
parties, other than the colour of their rosettes, and none have promised to roll
back any more than some of the icing on the legislative nightmare that has
befallen us all.
corporatist world, we can see little difference between any of the 3 major
parties, other than the colour of their rosettes, and none have promised to roll
back any more than some of the icing on the legislative nightmare that has
befallen us all.
The Libertarian
Party in that respect promises to be very different, to be bold and to be true
to the people of this country, promising to undertake a programme of repeal, to
undo the wrongs which have been done during the past 10 years and more, and to
make the UK proud of itself and its people again.
Party in that respect promises to be very different, to be bold and to be true
to the people of this country, promising to undertake a programme of repeal, to
undo the wrongs which have been done during the past 10 years and more, and to
make the UK proud of itself and its people again.
As we now move into
2009, we in the Libertarian Party feel that we have done the groundwork, we have
put together our policy
framework, and we have established a working, functioning party structure
which is now ready for the rigours of representing the public in Central and
Local government.
2009, we in the Libertarian Party feel that we have done the groundwork, we have
put together our policy
framework, and we have established a working, functioning party structure
which is now ready for the rigours of representing the public in Central and
Local government.
Amongst the 80
million who now live in the UK, we are sure that there are 646 honest people who
are more capable of governing this country than those handful
of elitists who believe they have a right to rule over us, that there are
many ordinary people out there who would like to replace them and do what is
right for this country.
million who now live in the UK, we are sure that there are 646 honest people who
are more capable of governing this country than those handful
of elitists who believe they have a right to rule over us, that there are
many ordinary people out there who would like to replace them and do what is
right for this country.
The first step is to
understand that today the UK is no longer governed, it is ruled. One of our
primary tasks will be to rein Government back to its simple role
of governance, for and on behalf of the people.
understand that today the UK is no longer governed, it is ruled. One of our
primary tasks will be to rein Government back to its simple role
of governance, for and on behalf of the people.
The Libertarian
Party would like to give you the opportunity to stand as a Prospective
Parliamentary Candidate if you feel that you have what it takes to govern.
Perhaps you have been a local councillor, a business leader, a butcher, a baker
or even a candlestick maker. If you feel that you can make a positive difference
to the way that this country is run, then let
me know.
Party would like to give you the opportunity to stand as a Prospective
Parliamentary Candidate if you feel that you have what it takes to govern.
Perhaps you have been a local councillor, a business leader, a butcher, a baker
or even a candlestick maker. If you feel that you can make a positive difference
to the way that this country is run, then let
me know.
How different would
we be? Well, from day 1 we would expect anyone elected as a
Libertarian MP to fund their own pension plan from their generous salary, not to
sponge from the taxpayer with gold plated provisions. We would expect a
Libertarian MP to furnish and maintain their own London accommodation, not to
sponge from the taxpayer and we would expect a Libertarian MP to take their role
seriously, and that means no second job that will detract from their
responsibilities as MP's. It would of course be necessary to cover legitimate
and reasonable expenses, however the abuses of recent years will be
halted
we be? Well, from day 1 we would expect anyone elected as a
Libertarian MP to fund their own pension plan from their generous salary, not to
sponge from the taxpayer with gold plated provisions. We would expect a
Libertarian MP to furnish and maintain their own London accommodation, not to
sponge from the taxpayer and we would expect a Libertarian MP to take their role
seriously, and that means no second job that will detract from their
responsibilities as MP's. It would of course be necessary to cover legitimate
and reasonable expenses, however the abuses of recent years will be
halted
That's just for
starters, but if you think you can live with those rules and would
like to become a Libertarian PPC, then let me know. If you would like to stand
as a Libertarian Candidate at local elections, let me know so that I can put you
in touch with the LPUK lead in your area.
starters, but if you think you can live with those rules and would
like to become a Libertarian PPC, then let me know. If you would like to stand
as a Libertarian Candidate at local elections, let me know so that I can put you
in touch with the LPUK lead in your area.
I am looking forward
to 2009, because I know that the Libertarian Party has a lot to offer the people
of the UK, and its time to give the establishment a wake up call they will never
forget, through the ballot box.
to 2009, because I know that the Libertarian Party has a lot to offer the people
of the UK, and its time to give the establishment a wake up call they will never
forget, through the ballot box.
May I conclude by
wishing everyone, of whatever political hue you may be, a very Happy New Year,
and may 2009 be as prosperous as this Government
permits.
wishing everyone, of whatever political hue you may be, a very Happy New Year,
and may 2009 be as prosperous as this Government
permits.
Ian Parker-Joseph
