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Real Tories, Real Words by Tracey Cheetham (fisked)
Posted by Simon Cooke (@simonmagus)
Monday, 1st February 2010
Tracey Cheetham has some terrible quotes from Tory MEPs. Personally I can’t see what’s so bad about all but one of them. Here’s a comment or two by way of explanation.
“It is quite understandable when they legally want to transfer their money to lower tax regimes.” Syed Kamall, MEP for London, European Parliament, 24 April 2009.
Well yes, that does seem logical. Say I am a very rich person. I’m going to want my money in a low tax regime, surely?
“The European social model is outdated, it is destructive, it prevents job creation and it acts against entrepreneurship.” Martin Callaghan, MEP for the North East, European Parliament, 11 March 2009.
Again this is about right. Levels of worklessness across Europe are appalling – running at 20% or more in the UK, France, Germany & Italy and approaching a third of the working age population in Spain and Greece.The European “social market economy” does not deliver jobs – it’s pretty good for those in work with minimum wages, job protection, extensive employee rights to maternity, paternity, sick leave and so on. But – however desirable these things are – the downside is that they discourage job creation, undermine enterprise and reinforce worklessness.
“Climate hysteria is increasingly remote from reality.” Roger Helmer, MEP for the East Midlands, European Parliament, 21 May 2008.
Again this seems a pretty fair statement. The Al Gore style, “we are all doomed” view appears increasingly hysterical next to the more considered and restrained approach – focused on practical measures – that is emerging across both public and private sectors.
“Wind turbines are garden ornaments, not power stations.” Nottingham Evening Post, 16 June 2009.
Loved this quote! There’s quite a deal of evidence suggesting that wind power doesn’t offer the kind of reliable, consistent energy needed to drive a modern economy. Oddly enough, microgeneration – the turbine as garden ornament – seems a much better place for this technology that cluttering up our beaches and ruining our beautiful countryside.
“'Homophobia' is merely a propaganda device designed to denigrate and stigmatise those holding conventional opinions, which have been held by most people through most of recorded history.” Roger Helmer, MEP for the East Midlands, on his blog, 19 July 2009.
Can’t argue with any criticism of this statement – utter nonsense, guy should be horsewhipped!
“I know they [NHS charges] are controversial but I don't think people who are in a job would actually be against spending say, £10 to see their GP or being fined £10 if they don't show up to an outpatients.” Charles Tannock, MEP for London, Channel 4 News, 27 August 2009.
There has long been an argument that non-attendance (a big cost on the NHS) should result in a charge or a fine. There is also an argument to be made for charging – both to reduce unnecessary visits (a significant proportion of the total) and to shift the financial burden. The observations here seem reasonable enough – after all if consultations should be free on principle why are eye and dental check-ups charged for under Labour?
“There is little evidence that promoting the use of condoms actually prevents the transmission of AIDS.” Charles Tannock, MEP for London, European Parliament, 7 May 2009
Without spending ages googling I don’t know whether or not this is true. Any more than Tracey does!
“[Enoch Powell was] someone who understood the importance of national democracy, who understood why you needed to live in an independent country and what that meant, as well as being a free-marketeer and a small government Conservative.” Reason TV, Spring 2009.
All this is true about Powell. It is a statement of facts rather than opinion. I suspect that millions of Britons agree with everything in this statement. I know I do.
“The health care system we have is kind of a relic...I wouldn't wish it on anyone.” Fox News, 12 August 2009.
I note the ellipsis. Assuming what’s been taken out is of no relevance, I think Dan’s about right. Which I guess is why the Co-operative Party – in its “Agenda for a Fourth Term” - proposes the breaking up of the NHS (and the education system) and its replacement with a serious of mutually run local trusts?
“[Tax on Bankers' bonuses] is more about class war than raising money.” Fox News, 10 December 2009
Well it’s not going to raise much money. So it might just be about class war? Myself I think its just populism – exploiting banker unpopularity for a cheap headline and ignoring that it won’t raise a farthing and will damage an important industry. I note there’s no special windfall tax on those pharmaceutical companies that have made a mint out of swine flu vaccine purchases by this government.
If this is the very worst that Labour can dig up then it seems my party has little to fear from the coming election campaign. All this seems pretty frantic and desparate – oh, right! It’s the Labour Party – they are frantic and desperate!
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- Social media can't win an election for anyone - get out and knock on doors!
