In politics, the issue is to have candidates that can perform

In politics, the issue is to have candidates that can perform

A politician is a salesman that sells ideas and strive to meet up expectations. Voters look at the salesman. Is he a credible salesman? They listen to what that the salesman says and ponder about how likely the salesman is to deliver what he promises to deliver. They might like or dislike what is on offer. If they dislike what is on offer, they might go against it and if they like what is on offer they might even disregard their first impression about the salesman (or salewoman).

The Liberal Democrats had been all over the place and in the spate of a few years have had more leaders that there were General Elections. Correct me if I forget all the names. After Paddy Ashdown came Charles Kennedy, Sir Menzies Campbell, Vince Cable, Nick Clegg, Tim Farron, Sir Vince Cable, Jo Swinson, Baroness Sal Brighton, Sir Ed Davey, and Mark Pack? For the duration of one Parliament they were in power in coalition with the Conservatives under David Cameron.

The Liberal Democrats - with a few exceptions - defined themselves as pro-EU. After the 2016 Referendum, the made themselves one of the stumbling blocks in the quest for Brexit. They desperately pursued the possibility of a Second Referendum with the hope of keeping Britain in the European Union. When that failed to cristalize, they went for a General Election that they strongly believed would give them what they wanted but from the start the struggle to reach an agreement with other political forces to overcome party political differences. They divided the Remain Camp because they couldn't possibly reach an agreement with Jeremy Corbyn. The fact that several Labour MPs and several Conservative MPs decided to join them was not an incentive to reach such agreement. She went as a far as saying that she would go against Article 50 and de-facto keep Britain in the European Union despite the outcome of the 2016 Referendum on EU Membership. This last act signalled the beginning of the end for Jo Swinson's leadership. The British Electorate could possibly stomach the idea of a Second Referendum. They couldn't possibly support somebody that talked about getting rid of the Article 50 straight away.

The issue for Scottish voters - Jo Swinson was at the time a Scottish MP - was to decide between an SNP that openly stood for Remain and also for Scottish Independence and a Liberal Democrat MP that stood for Remain but against Scottish Independence. The political fate of Jo Swinson was sealed. She lost her seat and as a direct consequence of losing her seat she could not continue as Lib Dem leader.

Voters didn't like the saleswoman, didn't believe that the saleswoman could deliver what she was offering and many even didn't like what she was offering. In the process, every single Labour MP and every single Conservative MP that defected to Lib Dems lost their seats. Even the possibility of a hang Parliament eluded them. 

The agony for both Lib Dems and Labour is self-evident. For Labour, as some Labour representatives have publicly stated, the aim is to restore public faith. The party is a divided as before. It is difficult to find a unity candidate. London set itself apart from the rest of the Labour movement when Labour voters outside London decided that the only possible choice was to support the Conservative Party.

To say that the Labour Party has a mountain to climb would be a historic understatement. As long as whoever replaces Jeremy Corbyn is seen as a representative of the Jeremy Corbyn lobby, the Labour Party will struggle to recover.

Now, all eyes look towards the 2020 May Elections and in particular towards the London Mayoral Election in which an opponent of Jeremy Corbyn - Sadiq Khan - is likely to win a second mandate. Given the absence of candidates visibly able to unseat Sadiq Khan, the London Mayoral Election could serve to unite a very divided Labour Party.

Do you see Sadiq Khan as potential Labour Party leader? Nobody mentions Andy Burnham - present Mayor of Greater Manchester. Former Member of Parliament and former Cabinet Minister and a likeable individual far detached from Jeremy Corbyn's leadership and one of the centre-left politicians born in Liverpool - a northerner. If the Labour Party has any hope of bringing back traditional labour voters into the fold, choosing a man from Liverpool with proven political record would not be a bad choice. Sadiq Kahn would appeal to London. Andy Burham would appeal to the country as a whole. 

Whoever is chosen now as leader could end up being the leader of a party forever in opposition but if the struggle ends up being a war between London and the rest of the country the Labour Party will have to decide between being a political party for London or being a political party for Britain. 

 

Sadiq Khan: London Mayoral Election 2020

Sadiq Khan: London Mayoral Election 2020

Despite what happened in the rest of the country and in the Labour Party in particular, I don't think there is a natural challenger that could unseat Sadiq Khan as London Mayor. 

Whoever aspires to defeat Sadiq Khan will have to have enough political weight to have any chance of winning against a London Mayor that built his own political profile regardless of the troubles of the Labour Party led by Jeremy Corbyn.

Regardless of his stances on Brexit and his statements on foreign affairs i.e. his war of words with President Donald Trump, I reckon Sadiq Khan could even benefit from his stances and statements because London is a completely different cup of tea when compared to the rest of the United Kingdom.
Who are the other contenders? Well, Shaun Bailey will be standing as Conservative Party Mayoral Candidate. The Liberal Democrats have Siobhan Benita who previously stood in 2012 as Independent. Siän Berry will stand for the Green Party. Sue Black will stand for the Women's Equality Party, Rosalind Readhead would be standing as Independent, and Rory Stewart, former Conservative MP would be standing as Independent Candidate.

Despite the fact that opinion polls indicate that Sadiq Kahn went from 62% down to 44%  (December 2018 until November 2019), none of the contenders seem to have the charisma and the experience Sadiq Khan has. So unless there is a last minute change with a bigger hat being thrown into the ring I reckon the Sadiq Khan's mandate will be extended for another four years. 

Greens and Labour will be fighting for predominance in the London Assembly. As it was stated in a husting in London before the 2019 General Election, the Green Party is a serious challenger and would do well on the London Wide List. The credibility of the Lib Dems was seriusly damaged with the loss of many MPs - including those who defected from the Labour Party and the Conservative Party and their leader Jo Swinson but they could do well enough to get Siobhan Benita elected as London Assembly Member if they play their cards right.

With regards to UKIP and Brexit Party and other political contenders, they were routed or not even stood in December 2019. Therefore, I believe that they wouldn't stand a chance. They would lose not just the election but also all their deposits.

National Action: Over-generalisation leading to gross injustices

National Action: Over-generalisation leading to gross injustices

Whether National Action has been banned or proscribed for whatever reasons that the British government hasn't fully justified with facts, we need to focus on the rights of individuals and on how those rights are being eroded.

We have seen demonstrations carried out by Islamic organisations in the United Kingdom that have publicly and very loudly talked saying that their fundamental aim is the destruction of the British Way of Life. They have not only burnt Poppies or insulted British Soldiers that were returning from the battlefields. They have actually engaged in the promotion of terrorism against Britain.

I don't see National Action doing anything of the sort. They are not going around detonating bombs in Manchester and London. They are not driving vehicles and killing people on the streets. They are not going around chasing girls and boys to rape them or to ply them with alcohol and drugs as some Muslim groups in the United Kingdom have done.

The British Government is using Anti-Terror Legislation to persecute people who are not involved in acts of terrorism and the definition of what constitutes Terrorism and what doesn't constitute Terrorism is open to abuse by British Authorities.

I happen to personally know individuals who are now facing the courts falsely accused of being involved in acts of terrorism. I did know Paul Hickman who took his own life facing the threat of a  court using kangaroo charges that are a total fabrication. I happen to personally know Jack Renshaw and Jack Renshaw is not the kind of person that would possible be what the British Authorities seem to believe that he is.

This issue affects me personally because I strongly believe that these injustices are being committed on the name of Political Correctness going mad.

I have personally written to the Home Office Secretary Amber Rudd MP, as I have written to Helen Hayes MP, Jo Swinson MP, and to the Head of the North East Counter Terrorism Unit, alerting them that extremely serious injustices are being committed and all for the sake of Political Correctness.

Whether any of the aforementioned British Authorities wants to take any notice of what I have said remains to be seen but the point has to be made.

UK Anti-Terror Legislation is being used for Political Persecution

Anthony Mole - Head of North West Counter Terrorism Unit

UK Anti-Terror Legislation is used for Political Persecution

When Anti-Terror Legislation was passed in the House of Commons after being put forward by then Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, there were voices of concern talking about the possibility that Anti-Terror Legislation could be used for purposes that had nothing to do with fighting against Terrorism and what was feared has become reality. A para-political organisation called National Action was banned after being wrongly classified as a Terrorist Organisation, innocent people were arrested and are now being taken to court to be jailed because of their political ideas. But there are other aspects of this tragedy that are unfolding when children are taken away from their families and innocent people take their own lives. This was the case of Paul Hickman who was arrested because he was in possession of stickers used for political purposes. Paul Hickman couldn't bear the thought of being put on trial to be crucified on trumped up charges and of having to spend time in jail as yet another victim of political persecution.

Paul Hickman

I wrote to Anthony Mole as Head of the North West Counter Terrorism Unit; I wrote to Amber Rudd MP as Home Secretary; I wrote to Helen Hayes MP whom I approached several times to deal with political issues; I wrote to Jo Swimson MP, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats. I write to you as ordinary members of the public and ask you to spread the word because this is a very serious matter. 

I lived under a military dictatorship and I can recognise the signs of a dictatorial regime being imposed on the British people. It happens gradually, so gradually that most people fail to stop such signs. Firstly, basic rights of assembly are taken away. People are not allowed to demonstrate in certain public areas. The justification is 'we are concerned about public safety'. Secondly, measures that are nothing more than political discrimination are implemented. "Sorry, you cannot have the job that you want 'because you are a member or have been a member of certain political parties'." "Sorry, you cannot be invited to a debate because you are a member or have been a member of certain political parties or because we don't like what you say". This goes so far as not just banning ordinary people but also US Presidents like President Donald Trump. No official visits to the United Kingdom and no speaking at the House of Commons. 

Now, families are persecuted, children are taken away from their families, organisations that have committed no crime are banned and individuals are persecuted and imprisoned. Britain is becoming a de-facto dictatorial regime.

When the masses support dictatorial behaviour all that is left to say is what Jesus said on the cross: Forgive them father, for they don't know what they are doing. Millions of people across Britain are voluntarily and willingly walking towards a repressive regime. 

Dear Jo Swinsom MP,

This is the original email I sent to Amber Rudd, to Helen Hayes and to the Head of the North West Counter Terrorism Unit. It is a very important matter and in the last 24 hours became a case of life and death leading a 37 year old to take his own life. You can contact me directly. I do include a mobile number and I am ready and willing to meet you at the House of Commons to talk about a very important issue.

Anti-Terror Legislation was introduced under a Labour government. Since then, it has been used for purposes that were not originally intended.

Best regards

Karl Hohenstauffen

The World of Politics / Politische Welt/ Мир политики

From: K G Hohenstauffen [mailto:kghohenstauffen@btconnect.com]
Sent: 09 November 2017 14:38
To: 'amber.rudd.mp@parliament.uk' <amber.rudd.mp@parliament.uk>
Cc: 'Helen Hayes' <helen.hayes.mp@parliament.uk>; 'tacsamltd@gmail.com' <tacsamltd@gmail.com>
Subject: Something very wrong

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/leading-national-action-member-found-13875847

Dear Amber Rudd,

There is something absolutely wrong concerning the strategy adopted against para-political organizations (not Terrorist organizations). National Action is not a Terrorist organization despite the fact that it has been wrongly classified as a Terrorist organization.

I personally knew Paul Hickman and distributing adhesive campaign propaganda materials is not a terrorist activity. Somebody like Paul Hickman was never involved in any kind of violent activity whatsoever and neither was Jack Renshaw due to appear in court on January 2^nd  2018.

When anti-Terror Laws are used for purely political purposes there is the certain danger of a backlash that could lead to others getting involved in activities that otherwise they would not get involved into and this because of the anger that injustices generate.

I know what happened in Uruguay, Argentina and Chile – among other countries - in the 1970s and 1980s. I was a member of the military in those days and of the mass media/intelligence services that led to the arrest, torture and in some cases execution of political detainees and I worry that Britain is walking along a very dangerous path when Anti-Terror Laws are used for purely political purposes.

The present approach can certainly create a danger that didn’t exist before. I sense the resentment and anger that such approach has created, approach that could turn political activists into murderers.

Your approach will not prevent attacks against Members of Parliament. Helen Hayes, that I know personally, is aware of the fact that I do know the subject matter that I am writing about because of my background and my political links.

Common sense and rationality must prevail. The actions in which the North West Counter Terrorism Unit has been involved are not related to Terrorism. They are actions of a political nature and they are totally unjustified.

I hope for Britain’s sake that there is a change of course of action. Anti-Terror Laws should only be used for the purpose they were intended to be used. I hope that Britain stops using Anti-Terror Laws for purely political purposes.

And I take this opportunity to issue a word of caution. It is common knowledge that members of the British Armed Forces have joined or are joining para-political groups. Nothing happens in the military without the knowledge of the higher ranks of the British Armed Forces. It is not the kind of thing that can be kept a secret. If you were to touch a raw nerve, the present approach could be even more catastrophic.

Best regards

Karl Hohenstauffen