« Low Sunday | Main | The Power of One. »
April 19, 2004
Does the EU Gravy Train stop at this station?
I note with interest that our Illustrious Leader has, through his pitbull Deputy, I understand, decided that the British people may, after all, be allowed to vote on his plans to destroy the English nation and sink us into Europe. Not a bad ploy for a lad from a privileged Scottish background, actually. Interesting, too, that only around six of his 23 Cabinet members are "English" - the rest are all Scottish or Welsh, even though they purportedly represent "English" constituencies.
But, as anyone who is aware of the deviousness of politicians and of this lot in particular, we will need to watch him closely on this one. First, he has not indicated a date - best guesses seem to be "sometime after the EU Elections and possibly after the next General Election. Naturally this will mean that some other country could have rejected it by then and so he will not need to consult us. Also, by promising us one, he is no doubt attempting to forestall our turning it on him at either of the the two intevening elections. Or so he hopes.
If he is forced to hold the Referendum, watch very carefully the exact wording of the question. It will either be extremely ambiguous or it will be worded in a manner that will allow him to claim "endorsement" of whatever he wants to do after it, no matter which way the electorate actually vote. Don't be surprised if we see more than one wobble over this - and even if we do get to vote on it - don't count on it's being the final say if he loses it.
Perhaps this is why he thinks lowering the voting age to 16 is a good plan - the kids are much more likely to be suckered into voting for his vacuous promises.
I suppose the best we can really hope for is that the Gravy Train gets delayed for a bit longer.
In the same weekend, we have actually had confirmation that the Tories poster campaign in 1997 - the infamous "Demon Eyes", one of our hero's face with a strip torn away across the eyes to reveal the glowing red eyes of some demon - may have been closer to the truth than we imagined. Dear John, the DPM, let slip in an interview that Tone's eyes always betrayed his insincerity. Apparently he has actually said this before - when he and the saintly Tone were locked in combat for the Leadership of the Labour Gravy Train.
Makes one wonder what he has on Tone that allows him to stay in post.
Posted by The Gray Monk at April 19, 2004 12:50 PM
Comments
One way of making the proposed Referendum less meaningless would be to ask a proper set of questions including continued membership, constitution and the Euro.
Other countries consult their electorate. It's time we did properly and avoided as you have pointed out asking a weazel question the result of which can be twisted anyway we want.
Posted by: Jonathan Briggs at April 19, 2004 04:51 PM
Sadly, knowing this government, I somehow doubt we will get anything but a weazel question on the referendum paper. But, we can live in hope!
Posted by: The Gray Monk at April 19, 2004 10:05 PM
maybe you should see about throwing out how the prime minster gets picked. Do like we do in the USA and have the people elect the PM directly.
Posted by: Matthew at April 21, 2004 04:18 AM