“Two cities-two cultures”

“Two cities-two cultures”

As I recently walked the Streets of Knightsbridge in the glorious spring sunshine I reflected on what a great city London really is. In fact if not the most beautiful World Capital or “big city” it certainly remains the most desirable and livable city in the civilized world. The question is for who and for how long.

Recent predictions from the likes of Time & the Economist magazines predict that London will remain the No.1 city for substantial numbers of the international business community and cognoscenti. Sadly however, what I believe differentiates London from most others in the top ten is that whereas if you walk down Madison Ave in NYC or the Via Condotti in Rome you do tend to hear the “native” language. Walking through Hyde Park last Sunday I did not hear one word of English until quite late on when I did catch an Aussie couple enjoying the spring blossoms.

Whereas I am told that the Chinese are buying some “serious” apartments in NY the fact is that the majority of people occupying the pricy Co-ops in that city are Americans; they simply turn down non PLU’s. Shanghai, destined to rank no. 4 in the list of 2025 has new skyscrapers dominated by new Chinese zgillionaires. I doubt that you will find too many Brits or French occupying those penthouses.

In most Swiss Cantons “foreigners” are either not allowed to buy at all or are restricted to x square metres. This is the law so that the Swiss retain the “ability” to buy in their own country and do not get priced out of the market by non-Swiss who are desperate to park some of their dosh in a safe haven .

Some countries find it perfectly normal to restrict entry to those who they find desirable and possess skills they need. Canada, Australia, & New Zealand are no longer open to everyone who applied for residency. Buying up central London at ever increasingly ludicrous prices is however not only fair game but in the rolling cash register eyes of our esteemed estate agents, desirable. There is only one problem, I predict that by 2025 central London will not be home to many Brits at all; will become very un-British in fact and worse still will for long periods of the year be empty. Our friends from abroard tend to come at very specific times to reside in their properties, or worse still, not at all.

Unfortunately the difference between London and New York is no longer “you say tom-ato and I say tom-arto” it is more to do with the fact that one city is an American city and the other one is ??

The short term gain to the London property and retail markets is sadly a non- policy, policy. I am in principle a free marketer but if the current trend in central London continues then the very British Capital that is so attractive to so many will just become the preserve of wealthy foreigners who care little for the culture and essence of this great city.

“Two cities, two cultures”

As I recently walked the Streets of Knightsbridge in the glorious spring sunshine I reflected on what a great city London really is. In fact if not the most beautiful World Capital or “big city” it certainly remains the most desirable and livable city in the civilized world. The question is for who and for how long.

Recent predictions from the likes of Time & the Economist magazines predict that London will remain the No.1 city for substantial numbers of the international business community and cognoscenti. Sadly however, what I believe differentiates London from most others in the top ten is that whereas if you walk down Madison Ave in NYC or the Via Condotti in Rome you do tend to hear the “native” language. Walking through Hyde Park last Sunday I did not hear one word of English until quite late on when I did catch an Aussie couple enjoying the spring blossoms.

Whereas I am told that the Chinese are buying some “serious” apartments in NY the fact is that the majority of people occupying pricy Co-ops in the city are Americans; they simply turn down non PLU’s. Shanghai, destined to rank no. 4 in the list of the world’s top cities in 2025 has new skyscrapers dominated by new Chinese zgillionaires.
I doubt that you will find too many Brits or French occupying those penthouses.

In most Swiss Cantons “foreigners” are either not allowed to buy at all or are restricted to x square metres. This is so that the Swiss can retain the “ability” to buy in their own country and not get priced out of the market by non-Swiss who are desperate to park some of their dosh in a safe haven .

Some countries find it perfectly normal to restrict entry to those they find desirable and have sought after skills. Canada, Australia, & New Zealand are no longer open to everyone who apply for residency. Buying up central London at increasingly ludicrous prices is however not only fair game but in the rolling cash register eyes of our esteemed estate agents, desirable. There is only one problem, I predict that by 2025 central London will not be home to many Brits at all; it will become very un-British in fact and worse still, will for long periods of the year be empty. Our friends from abroard tend to come at very specific times to reside in their properties, or worse still, not at all.

Unfortunately the difference between London and New York is no longer you say “tom-ateo” and I say “tom-arto” it is more to do with the fact that one city is an American city and the other one is ??

The short term gain to the London property and retail markets is sadly a non- policy, policy. I am in principle a free marketer but if the current trend in central London continues then the very British Capital that is so attractive to so many will just become the preserve of wealthy foreigners who care little for the culture and essence of this great city.

“Send in the Clowns”

“Clowns” is how some of the Leaders of the Conservative party described UKIP; that is until last week’s by and local elections; we all know who is laughing now. Suddenly all three of the main political parties (which magically have now turned into four!) are scurrying to review their positions on a referendum and how they have so misjudged not only Mr. Farage but vast swathes of the British electorate.

Whether or not UKIP have other meaningful policies or not is frankly irrelevant at the moment. What has massive relevance however is that finally someone has emerged who has leadership qualities and who is likely to inherit Margaret Thatcher’s mantle as the only leader who has a clearly defined set of policy principles.
Whether you like or dislike him, the leader of the UKIP party shows leadership, something that neither Cameron, Clegg nor the highly quaffed Milliband have been able to muster. Everyone except our self-seeking, power hungry M.P.s has understood for a very long time that the British people are fed up with the inter party bickering and failure to address their real concerns. Hitherto, all that Politicians have done is tell us that it is “the other party’s fault” as they continue to endlessly churn out gobbledygook, citing statistics that prove nothing.

Here finally is someone who is addressing some of the issues that lie at the heart of our ongoing troubles. Immigration; crowding; our unsustainable welfare state and of course our increasingly incongruous membership of the failing E.U.

Whether you are a Eurosceptic or Eurocrat it is no longer either fair nor desirable to keep the British people waiting for a referendum until post-election world of 2015+. That of course is precisely what wafflers like Cameron plan to do. Just as he and his Cabinet cannot make up their minds about a third runway at Heathrow, they can only lurch from one economic crisis to another. The Labour party is no better, for they would only raise taxes and return to their old habits of “spend spend spend”.

I for one sincerely hope that Mr. Farage will be embraced and rejoin the mainstay of the Conservative party bringing a clear commitment to hold a referendum on E.U. membership asap. I think it unlikely that he could muster enough votes to challenge Cameron for the leadership of the party, but if he does not, it is increasing likely that we will have a new Labour or Labour led coalition government in 2015 which will consign these Isles to becoming ever poorer and irrelevant on the world stage.
As I write this, Nigel Lawson has broken cover and will become a focal point for “respectable” conservatives to rally to.Perhaps those of us who are so disillusioned with the status quo will at last see a momentum build towards a new beginning for the British people.

Margaret Thatcher, love her or hate her, she was a Patriot.

Much has already been written about Margaret Thatcher. Twenty three years after she left Downing Street she still stirs passionate emotions of admiration and hate. The metropolitan police are so worried about potential violence during and after her funeral and that a proposed statue of her would be desecrated that project has been put on hold.

My memories of Britain’s other great 20th century Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, relate primarily to newsreels but my memories of Thatcher’s Premiership and life in Britain during her tenure are extremely vivid.

Yes she was divisive but thank God she was not a consensus politician like so many of her successors and other ineffective weak world leaders. Tony Blair said , “when you decide, you divide” and divide she did. But no one can argue that Britain in 1979 was in serious decline and reaching the point that those elected to govern were unable to do so. Beer and sandwiches at No. 10 became the infamous descriptive of who and how the country was being run.

Margaret Thatcher’s achievements and failures have been analysed to death and will continue to be so by politicians and historians alike.
I pay tribute to her not for her politics or policies but for something much more valuable in today’s increasingly chaotic, socially divisive society where the overriding sentiment of the “people” is that they no longer trust their politicians. There is no doubt that whatever people thought of her, nobody ever did nor would even today accuse her of being dishonest. For me her greatest attribute was that she was a patriotic, honest, hard-working, genuine leader who cared first and foremost for her country and her convictions. There was never even a whiff of personal scandal, nor what has become the almost daily norm at Westminster of the uncovering of financial skullduggery relating to this or that Cabinet Minister. She was indeed crucified by much of the popular press, but there was never even a hint of personal wrongdoing.

Of course I was a huge fan.; but I suggest that even those Brits who despised her would rather have her sort of leadership than that of David cameron, Gordon Brown, pants down Paddy Ashdown, Senor Berlusconi, Strauss Kahn, and the latest European magician, M. Cahuzac, the French finance minister tasked with routing out tax evasion only to be discovered having a rather nice nest egg of his own in Switzerland which he seemed to have forgotten to declare.

My partners once gave me a gift inscribed with the words, “Often wrong but never in doubt”; well we can all agree that Margaret Thatcher was often wrong but at least the majority (as witnessed by her three consecutive elections victories won with huge majorities) of us who lived during her era were proud to be British. How many feel that way now?

“Cyprus and the EU; this could be the start of something big!”

They have really lost the plot this time. The very basis of a free and democratic country is the sanctity of private property and the assurance that Government cannot take, grab, confiscate or whatever language you wish to use, people’s personal assets. I think that we can all agree that money deposits qualify in this category.

The E.U. has finally shown its true colours, led by a domineering, dictatorial Germany. Cyprus is deemed too weak and too dependent to be able to cause any serious disruptions or mount a meaningful challenge to faceless, unelected bureaucrats who are themselves bullied by the German Finance Minister and Madame Merkel.

Can you imagine them trying to impose a similar dictate on the French or the Italians. The manning of the Barricades in “Les Miserables” would be tame by comparison. Such action, would almost certainly lead to the toppling of any European Government that even looked like it might cow to Germany.

More worrying still, the current Chairman of the Eurozone finance Ministers, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, said that Cyprus could serve as a model for future crises!
Surely ordinary European citizens can understand that they are now totally at the mercy of these ghastly Eurocrats who can wipe away, at will, their savings and without any consultation, force their own governments to bend to their will which in the case of Cyprus and Greece will condemn them to years of mass unemployment and economic austerity. i.e. misery.

Surely such traumatic action necessitates asking the people, with an immediate referendum, whether THEY wish to loose x percent of their savings or leave the Euro.; no such offer was even mentioned never mind tabled.

If Mr. Dijsselbloem has his way then we can expect more of the same in the not too distant future in either Spain Portugal or even Italy, if not some other smaller, weaker member of the Eurozone.

There is not much that I can praise the current or past UK government for but I bless the day that it was decided not to join the Euro.

“What are the principal responsibilities of government? Security: Education: Health & to guarantee freedom of speech & movement- who qualifies?”

”

Citizens of some countries may claim that they live in a democracy, but does their elected government ensure that they live in a secure environment. I do not think that too many South Africans would claim the latter.

Others may claim that they have free elections, but does their elected government provide them with a good health safety net?
Many U.S. Citizens would agree with the first claim, but not the latter.
More likely it is their unfulfilled promises and the endless squandering of resources applied to their enormous egos, pet projects overpriced landmark tributes that are remembered by “The people”

Ordinary citizens are by and large powerless to influence the course of their Government’s policies but it is worth while noting that there are a few examples of good governance around the world and for those thinking of a change or craving good governance it is worth knowing where these can be found.

When people think about Swizerland they visualise snow capped mountains, watches and chocolate. Most know it to be the land ofcookoo clocks and banks but few know how the government of Switzerland, “ CH,- Confederatia Helvetica” actually works. Having been a resident for over 40 years I have come to realise that “boring” Switzerland is possibly the most democratic, best governed State in the world.

Firstly, no major government policy is made or changed without a referendum. Britain, heralded as one of the world’s most stable democracies has offered its people only one referendum and that one had a carefully scripted choice fashioned by a government that only wanted one controlled response.
When Irish citizens were offered a referendum on the new European constitution, their Government asked the people to vote again when they voted against their government’s proposed motion! The Swiss listen to the wishes of their citizens, others rarely do.

Health: forget the NHS and Obamacare, all Swiss citizens must have and all do have affordable private Insurance. Anyone unfortunate enough to go to a hospital for any reason really should know that in all likelyhood if you have to go to a Swiss hospital you stand the best chance of coming out alive, without an infection and have a real chance of feeling better. In addition there is a bonus… you will enjoy the food!

Security: crime does exist in the big cities, but Switzerland has not fought a war for “n” hundred years. They do not mix into other people’s affairs nor do they spend gzillions on wasteful defence projects other than to maintain secure borders and defence forces to protect their people.

Clean air, good education not to mention a brilliant rail transport system that is the envy of every country in the world, are but a few of the additional perks offered by an efficient government.
The President rotates every year, thus avoiding the nepotism and corruption endemic in almost all other countries.

So whereas most countries would be happy to enjoy any one of the above, it is boring old switzerland that tops the good governance charts.
There may not be alot of dinner party converation when everyone complains about the State of their countries political system or economy,
but wouldn’t that make a refreshing change!

“Religion & Marriage: Testing the Vows”

The latest revelations in the Catholic church still seem shocking, in spite of the fact that they are appear with alarming regularity in the media.I do not wish to offend any religious person but I do offer the suggestion that if you are religious your first loyalty is to your God, not to your Church. Over the years,most of them have proven that they are steeped in hypocracy and that they seek, first and foremost to sustain their power and fortunes.

The latest scandal to hit the Catholic church in Britain relates to the hand wandering Bishop O’Brien, until recently the leading Roman catholic in Scotland. How his church has any followers left is astounding in itself considering the regular discoveries of buggery practised by those who more often than not preach the most vehemently against homosexuality. It simply is unforgivable, yet most remain unpunished and there does not appear to be almost any protests from its’ Lay members.

Taking a vow is supposed to be a sacred pledge whether it be the vow of celibacy or of faithfulness pronounced by every couple getting married.
Why then do couples pledge exactly the same vows when they are getting married the second time?! It is ludicrous.

We know that fewer people are getting married today and fewer attend church, but both the Church and Government, who regulate the laws governing marriage, have done little or nothing to bring either of these archaic institutions into the 21st century and strip them of the customs and rituals that have made them such hypocritical institutions. By and large, time has shown that the principles they espouse cannot be upheld.

Fully 33% of all new mothers in Britain are single. The divorce rate does not abate and how many of those who remain married are really happy?
It is time that the laws of marriage are overhauled to reflect modern living practices. I for one do not believe that marriage is any longer either necessary nor viable for “life”. If there are those who want to tie the knot, let them enter into a 5 year contract, that is automatically dissolved unless renewed. Think of the excitement of renewal if still in love as opposed to the misery of divorce with all the unhappiness that most couples go through not to mention the legal costs.

As to the marriage vows themselves, lets drop the pretense of to “obey” and “until death do us part”and whilst at it, those carrying out the marriage ceremony in Church should have their own vows tested every few years to see if they are fit for office!

Is it because we do not protest vehemently enough or is it fear of change or the unknown that permits laws and customs that are so out of date or out of touch to prevail? Maybe it is just apathy or the usual non- action of the “silent majority”. Left with the current status quo, neither the Church nor Government can reflect any longer the reality of what is actually happening within these institutions never mind undertake any serious reform.

Hopefully, one day, a voice or voices will emerge that will shake both up so that custom and the law will actually reflect that which is being practiced in our societies.

“Elections: voting can make a difference after all”

Often, election stats. show that voters are apathetic and are so turned off by politicians that they simply do not vote at elections.
Much of the time that is because they believe that whatever they do or say will not make a difference to the outcome.
The sheer mountain of money spent on TV and general media campaigns swamps voters with repetitive messages and hollow promises.

The recent US Presidential campaigns cost over $2 billion and have become revolving circuses. Every four years, each party tries to outspend the other and attempts
to brainwash the electorate, whilst simultaneously doing everything in their power to destroy their opponents with negative adverts and character assassinations.

The good news about the British General Election model is that it is short; politicians only have 4 to 5 weeks to campaign; however,under this system the incumbent party has a massive advantage over the Opposition as its leader has the right to chose the election date.
In many countries they also have substantial sway over the media, Messrs. Putin and Berlusconi are good examples, not to mention control over the treasury purse strings!

I have just returned from Nevis; as a member of the Commonwealth, Nevis follows the British electoral system. A snap General Election was held there on January 23rd and by all accounts the Governing party was expected to win.
In this little country many of it’s citizens live abroad and it has become common practise to airlift them in to vote; no prizes for guessing who is best placed
to offer those air tickets?

Just as Obama and Romney told their electorate that “this” election was a crucial one of choice, so too was it for the Nevisian people.
The amazing thing about this particular one was that the ruling party was clearly able to outspend the Opposition; whereas the Island was covered in Government banners and booming election rallies were held almost daily, the Opposition was barely visible. Yet as I listened to the local radio on election night an amazing turnaround began to take shape in the late and then wee hours as the votes were counted and the returning officer announced individual constituency results.
A landslide was developing and wait, not for the freely spending incumbent Government.

The fact that the Government changed on that day is not the point I wish to illustrate here. It is the fact that it was against all the odds. The Nevisian People were not brainwashed by all the razzmatazz of the election campaign and rhetoric. They made their own minds up and frankly both parties could have saved themselves lot of money.

I would recommend that Messrs. Axelrod and Carl Rove jump on their jets and visit little Nevis to study this particular election.
It is just possible that they may learn something about the very people they so desperately seek to influence.

For us all in Nevis, this was a breath of fresh air and restored many people’s faith in the electoral proces and certainly put to rest the notion that “ordinary” people are easily brainwashed. The fact is that they will punish those who try to do just that.

“Justice?” an unexpected conclusion:from a good friend

“In a run-down part of East London, a fire destroyed a dilapidated four storey house that had been divided into four flats.
A Nigerian family of six internet con artists and full time benefit cheats lived on the first floor, and all six tragically perished in the fire.
A group of seven Islamic welfare cheats, all illegally in the country, lived on the second floor, and they too, all perished in the fire.
Six Albanian, gang banger, ex-cons - all claiming political asylum and living off the state for free - occupied the 3rd floor and they too, died.
And one middle aged British white couple lived on the top floor. They miraculously survived the fire.

The Equal Opportunities Commission, Amnesty International, Rights activists, black community leaders and the British Islamic Council were all furious at the apparent racial inequality of the situation. Why were just the British white couple saved? It was monstrous they claimed, and showed that systemic ‘racism’ still existed in all areas of public service - questions were raised in the House of Commons, the popular media picked up the story and within hours it was national and indeed international news.

Boris Johnson - Mayor of London, when questioned stated calmly that it would be unwise to jump to conclusions until the Police and Fire Service had completed their report. He closed by stating that he expected their initial assessment would be available within the next 36 hours - so perhaps it would be best to let the experts gather the evidence and report back before he commented any further.

The baying Press pack subsequently reported the interview in such way as to intimate that the Mayor was indifferent to suffering and was out of touch with the feelings of the whole East London community!

A large motorcade of representatives from all five groups, together with Theresa May - the Home Secretary - drove to the area and demanded a meeting with the local chief fire officer. They made sure that a large pack of popular Press and TV had been briefed on the visit and so the motorcade was met by a huge gaggle of journalists, TV interviewers and cameras.

On camera, they loudly demanded to know why the Africans, Black Muslims and Albanians all died in the fire and only the white couple lived.

The chief fire officer quietly replied:-

“They were at work.”