München mag Dich: my time at the Oktoberfest

Me (middle), with dad and elder bro

"Munich welcomes you", claimed the city's motto, and by golly the citizens of Freistaat Bayern really do. Makes me want to be a German frankly, awesome people. 
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Well, as promised, an account of my trip to Bavaria's October festival. Where to start? 
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For openers, it was a four day trip, organised between myself, my old man and my elder brother. We went for the drink ... and well ... some of us enjoyed it all the way to A&E (but I'll come back to that one!)
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A brief list of the breweries & beers who enjoyed my own custom over the four days:
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• Augustiner
• Dunkler
• Paulanier
• Helles (from Augustiner)
• Berliner Weisse
• Dunkler Bock
• Weizenbier (not really to my taste, 'weizen' means 'wheat' and 'weisse' means 'white' .. and I don't tend to like white beers)

Ones I either didn't get the chance to try (or don't remember drinking) include such great names as:

• Eisbock (A Pale beer)
• Marzen (another pale one, malty so one I really missed not getting my taste buds into)
• Rauchbier (usually dark, and smoky, so another one I really missed not getting a chance to try)

But all in all, a successful trip. We didn't just drink, myself and my daddiekins went to Dachau. A real trip down memory lane for him, as dad had been there before when my age. It was important for me too, given it gave the opportunity to contextualise what one reads about; but with the benefit of actually touching the mortar and crematoria. 

The only questionable moments when in Dachau arose firstly, with the bus driver taking us there. He seemed to find his comment "its happy hour" thoroughly funny. Then there was that American  who decided to eat a packed lunch beside the mass-grave and gas chamber. 

...apart from that ... it was an important day well spent. 

We proceeded to enjoy beers later that day in the Marienplatz, and eating some famous Snitzel. Watching the men in their lederhosen and Bundhosen (the longer version), I realised that Bavaria was excellent. And the women in their own national outfit (sorry, I am unsure what their national costume is called) ... well ... as tasty as the beers frankly.

All in all, very good. Managed a little too much drinking however on the third day, when I drank so much over the course of the morning through afternoon that by 1035pm I was hospitalised. Not proud of that, but all 22 year olds are entirely entitled to a moment of madness. And I don't apologise. 

Needless to say, 4 days wasn't enough. But, I shall surely return eventually. Before a revisit however is a need to visit Austria. There is something dominating and frankly magnificent inherent in Germanic culture. Bold, vivid, patriotic and so very welcoming. Bavarians really are thoroughly lovely folks. 

EU financial tax is sound and workable

The Coalition has sprung to the rhetoric of splendid isolationism as the EU commission proposes a new tax on financial transactions. But is this just another example of rancid Eurosceptics ideology coming before the interests of the European citizenry?
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Facing the facts
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When the EU Commission proposed the new tax on financial transactions, the howl of puerile and misplaced patriotism came up from what Claude Reins would call, "the usual suspects".

Up popped our typically foreseeable list of 'close advisers' or 'friends' to the Prime Minister; leaking the 'news' that our PM will 'fight this all the way'. Apparently he means this so much that he leaks it out, rather than say it in front of a camera. (Preserving deniability perhaps?)

Well...Claude Reins in Casablanca, did realise the error of his ways, and switched tac near the end...

Let me hit you with some facts. Fact one, the argument being put up by the bankers, that this is unaffordable, is nonsense. Since the financial crash (that they helped engineer remember), their profits are up 136%. Then in comes the second argument they've been deploying. They say that "times are tough". Yes, they are, but when their lending is down 9%, and their profits are up 136% ... who is to blame for this hardship? Families struggling to secure that short-term loan to hold over till the next pay-check arrives... or the budding entrepreneur needing liquidity to create a new source of employment. They all need the bankers to stop paying out bonuses to themselves, at lend that 136% profit.

So, baring this in mind, is it really all that 'absurd' for the EU Commission to try and introduce a new tax which will make them do what they are too greedy to do voluntarily?

I stand up proudly for this proposal. It is affordable, and it is morally right. It is right to ensure that Euro-governance seeks to secure the right contribution from the bankers. The citizens of Europe expect government to do more to ensure that they do contribute to our General Well-being. Surely it is time for the mechanisms of power to work in the interest of the many, to provide a secure and stable Euro-environment for all?
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Up comes the howl
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What does it matter to us if there is a stable economic environment for us, in the EU? Well, given that 40% of all UK exports head to the EU right now (that is more than all our trade with BRIC countries combined by the way), it makes perfect logical and rational sense. If Osborne really meant "we're all in this together", I hope he is capable of applying this same logic on a more global scale. Sadly, not. Osborne, like much of the typical legion of the Tory right is incapable of seeing anything outside of our own borders as mattering.

Oh, and lets not forget that that UK export growth is all that is stopping the Coalition Cuts from decimating off  what little growth we still have!

Stand by the EU Commission on this one folks, it is rational and logical. Besides, it is a matter of equity & justice. You don't want to listen to the bankers do you?

Tory leadership

With the closing date for nominations looming, it is time to analyse the three currently declared, in field, and focus on why this blog supports Murdo Fraser for leadership

Ruth Davidson MSP, Glasgow

Ruth Davidson, Murdo Fraser and Jackson Carlaw - these are the three declared runners. But what to make of them? What is the pre-leadership election battle feel of them, and their positions?

Lets start with the newbie (if that is a fair way of introduction), Ruth Davidson. Personally, having met her on more than one occasion, I find her to be thoroughly charming. Clear, concise, young and also a 'moderniser'. She has a stronger record on supporting LGBT equality issues, and can fairly be described as a 'Cameronite'.

What does that latter phrase mean? 'Cameroniser'? Well, that can generally be taken as meaning 'metropolitain' Tory; as opposed to the traditional 'home counties' type. So, not necessarily a bad thing. However, for me, Ruth lacks something as she enters this campaign, namely a single policy which encapsulates the direction of change that she aims for.
And I do feel that symbolic policy is something important in a leadership campaign, as it more than anything pushes beyond the cheap and easy words and into the realm of actual policy divisions. In short, leading a direction of travel which won't necessarily win you support from all sides, but indicates your own flavour. As yet, I have seen no one policy which can be said, in perhaps overly PR mentality, to capture that said flavour of leadership direction.

Jackson Carlaw, MSP West Scot regional list

Next up is Jackson Carlaw. A man that I haven't ever met, which isn't surprising really - as he represents the rightwing of the party in this election battle.

A known Thatcherite quality, and long-term ambitious personality. He has however been recently burnt by the failure to take Eastwood in last years Holyrood GE. This indicates perhaps an inability to capture the votes from outside of our own core voters. The point is indeed a fair one - if he can't secure the independents, liberals etc in Eastwood, a relatively wealthy corner of Scotland; what chance is their of him achieving this on a national picture?

Personally, he is another unknown quality in terms of policy direction. To me, he is like Ruth in the sense that he is lacking that policy example which captures his direction of change; in the practical sense. He can however count on Glasgow Conservative voters of the west coast however, a slice of the Scottish Tory membership that Ruth Davidson will surely be trying hard to steal off of him. Besides, he is rancidly euro-sceptic, which means I would never contemplate voting for him ever.

Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid-Scotland & Fife

Finally there is Murdo. Yes, I have already come out strongly for his leadership bid. Why?

Firstly, he is the only candidate who can clearly and unequivocally claim to have a bold reforming zeal. He as went into this leadership advocating the total shake-up of the status-quo of the internal party. Name, changing, logo changing, but more deeply this change is transcending into actual policy changes. He advocates fiscal autonomy for Scotland (he will need to clarify his position on whether this includes oil or not), he is taking an unashamedly pro-devolution platform. And may this pro-devolution Scottish Conservative welcome this refreshing change in air at the top of our party.
But more deeply still, he wants us Scottish Tories to actually run our own house. That is to say, he wishes us to be run from Edinburgh, rather than London as an independent party. Surely in the era of a separate, and diverse body politic in Scotland this is entirely sensible?


Murdo also meets in practical terms with my desire for a party in favour of family values, equality rights, fair taxation and a euro-friendly air in a strongly pro-devolutionary context. While I can't really count on the pro-eu part, the fact that he is meeting my own desire for the rest does make him my man for the leadership. Besides, he can count on the entire East-coast party members vote, which makes him incredibly hard to beat.

No one can honestly deny, he is also the only one of the candidates that has any name-face recognition! I'm going to put a poll up to reinforce this point, because I bet that a minority of my readers; who are all deeply political and well-read folk (naturally!) wouldn't know the other two candidates.

'Tories say' ... slander?

Just a heads up on a new wordpress blog that has come up, one that I think should be pointed out.

http://torysay.wordpress.com/, is the address. Basically it proposes to accurately quote some of the things that young Scottish Conservatives say. Whether the alleged quotations on the site are accurate or slander remains to be seen; but it is home to some remarkable, absurd, and deeply worrying posts.

It should be highlighted, not least because if any of the quotations are untrue - they should be highlighted, and such slander subject to public prosecution against those involved in organising this site.

Party leaders as we enter conference season

Cameron coming out the best as we enter the party conference season, according to latest polling statistics
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Willing to take tough long term decisions
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65% David Cameron
40% Ed Miliband
35% Nick Clegg
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Competent and capable
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54% David Cameron
39% Ed Miliband
33% Nick Clegg
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Which party leader would make the best PM
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54% David Cameron
34% Ed Miliband
12% Nick Clegg
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'I am more favourably inclined to the leader, than the party'
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David Cameron/Conservatives +3
Ed Miliband/Labour -26
Nick Clegg/LibDems -12
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Which leader responded better to summer riots?
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David Cameron 34%
Ed Miliband 14%
Nick Clegg 4%
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'What comes into your mind as you think of:
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David Cameron: 'Determined, Competent, Ruthless, Bull in a China shop
Ed Miliband: 'Out of his depth', 'Weird', 'Lucky', Boy doing a man's job
Nick Clegg: 'Weak, Calculating, Indecisive' Puppet
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Despite all of these positive numbers, the same Telegraph poll shows that Cameron's Conservatives are continuing to fail to appeal to women, and Labour maintain a lead on education & health. These are significant problems long term for No10. to overcome.
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For full information please click here.

Desperately sad news

In what can only be concluded as constituting honestly sad news, the fourth; and last; lost miner has been confirmed dead. His body was recovered at the bottom of the main mine shaft 90m under the crust of the earth. Yet the families surely won't be on their own as the communities rally round


One is often reminded of George Orwell's 'Road to Wigan Peer' when confronted by situations like this. Back then, these kind of terrible accidents happened more often, and his commentary was a rude awakening to the comfortable middle-class socialists of the time. Yet, one of his more substantive points must be borne in mind at moments like this, that these mining communities are very close-knit. These families most assuredly will not be left on their own to confront the long days of grief ahead them.

The Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan also focused on this theme, saying, "I remember from my boyhood the odd tragic accident. But these are close-knit communities, and the families will have support".


It is all too often a tragic divine injustice; nonetheless; that the working class communities such as this one in South Wales have to suffer a disproportionate share of pain and suffering. Yet, it is in their "spirit of solidarity" - as Orwell put it, that these families can and will find some solace.

Nothing can replace the loved ones lost, but the mere fact that three escaped miners lended their hands to the rescue effort speaks volumes about our society. And I can tell you one thing - in South Wales tonight, it is far from broken. It is strong enough to rally round each other, and offer the very same comfort and support so true of these communities at the time of Road to Wigan Peer.

Naturally, it goes without saying, these communities enjoy my complete sympathies. As does the families directly involved.

One Dynamic Nation

Cllr Meikle

Councillor David Meikle

Scottish Conservatives, Glasgow City Council

I am delighted Dean has invited me to write an article for this blog. I want to use this opportunity to introduce readers to a new organisation, albeit the campaign aims are anything but new, which I hope you can support.

I am actively involved with the setting up of a non-profit organisation called One Dynamic Nation which once established will campaign against Scotland leaving the United Kingdom and for the advancement of pro-Union affiliations. We aim to officially launch on 30 September.

As I said the campaign aims are not new but One Dynamic Nation is being established because we are concerned with the progress now being made towards independence for Scotland. In light of the recent Scottish Parliament election results we fear there is a very real danger of Scotland drifting towards a break-up of the Union.

From our point of view there is no coherent voice championing a preservation of the UK so we believe we must mount a positive campaign. There is no point waiting until the date of the referendum is announced. We believe we must start now and a people-powered, grassroots campaign is needed.

Already we have the backing of prominent businessmen, politicians and other high profile individuals, so we therefore hope you can support the campaign.

To give you some information, One Dynamic Nation will be based in Glasgow and managed by volunteers. However we aim to run a UK wide campaign. We will utilise the web, social media and traditional forms of campaigning such as a petition and opinion poll.

One Dynamic Nation will not be affiliated to any political party and will be open to anyone to support free of charge on the condition they agree with the campaign aims. There will also be the opportunity to join (membership fee applicable) and become actively involved with full voting rights. One Dynamic Nation will receive no public money and instead solicit donations and other forms of support such as volunteering from members of the public.

When we start our campaign our Mission Statement will be quite simple yet hugely important:

"We believe in the United Kingdom of Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We believe each country within this union is unique and contributes its distinct cultural blend equally to our nation. We believe each part of this union brings strength, diversity and drive to the whole nation. We are One Dynamic Nation and we will campaign to save our Union.”

If you agree with this and you are interested in becoming actively involved then get in touch. You can contact One Dynamic Nation:

Email info@onedynamicnation.org.uk

Website www.onedynamicnation.org.uk (launches 30 September)

Facebook www.facebook.com/onedynamicnation  
Twitter @1dynamicnation

Thank you for your support and we look forward to hearing from you

Abortion advice & counselling

The Dorries amendment may have sparked off the abortion debate nationwide, but has the majority actually paused to consider her proposal?


Conflict or not conflict?


To understand Nadine Dorries position clearly, and fairly, let me put it in a simple question and answer format:

Q: Should abortion providers be able to give advice to women questioning whether or not to terminate?
A: No, this can be seen legitimately as a clear conflict of interest between the need for independent and neutral advice and the economic-ethical agenda of the providers.

Simple eh? Well, not, sadly. Since the amendment was proposed, hysteria erupted from the forces of the 'old consensus' on this issue. The old consensus consisting of the Diane Abbot 'right to choice' hardliners (that is, 24 weekers) and the liberal (metropolitan) Tories; of the Oliver Letwin school.
They oppose any change to the existing status quo vis-a-vis abortion. Even to the point of acknowledging this apparent conflict of interest, but refusing to alter it.

The rationale for their position is fear. Fear that the opponents of abortion are utilising 'American-Style' tactics. Perhaps there is a legitimacy in their fear, yet, regardless of it; they ought to consider an amendment purely on its individual merits.

Besides, doesn't the ethical code of Conservative traditionalists, anti-abortion Christian groups and evangelists have a right to be heard too? They do, it is essential to our Rousseaunian conceptualisation of popular sovereignty that they do. That aside, it isn't really the point of this amendment is it?

This amendment on the face of it purports to do something imminently sensible, and end a potentially devastating conflict of interest. (Devastating for the women going through this tough choice; remember them anyone?)

Thus, while acknowledging the wider abortion debate context, I shall support Dorries amendment, especially since on its own merits, as a purely technical matter - it is a sensible and important change. One set to ensure women exposed to making this choice are given entirely independent and impartial advice. The needs of these young women comes before all politico-ethical debates on the grander scale. Lest we be ensuring a tyranny of the majority by accident.

Palestinian statehood?

President Abbas has made clear that as of 19th September, he will be applying for UN recognition of statehood. But will this provoke a harsh Israeli response?
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Security Council vetoes
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No doubt the Palestinians would find a positive, and even eager reception to their imminent request for statehood in the General Assembly. However it is another matter to get it through the Security Council. 
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On the one hand, the US has already said that it will veto any such proposal. Second, Israel has warned that the request may escalate 'violence' in the disputed territories. So what is to be gained for the Palestinian Authorities by making such a request?
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According to President Abbas, the request would both secure greater international recognition for their claim to statehood, and also help push Israel into negotiating based on the original 1967 borders. He told the Independent recently that even lesser 'non-state' membership of the UN would be worthwhile attempting to get. Not least, Abbas says, that it would enable Palestinians to launch criminal cases against Israel at he International Criminal Courts;
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"The Israelis continue attacking the Palestinians everywhere and the international community says don't go to the ICC... We don't want to go to the ICC for nothing. Tell the Israelis not to attack the Palestinians, and we will not go there"
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But again, doesn't all of this run the risk of real escalation of tensions in the region? President Obama certainly thinks so, which is probably why he is insisting on vetoing any Palestinian request for UN membership. 
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Yet there is a part of me which suspects that this process may be just what is needed to compel both sides into real negotiations. The Israelis on the one hand, in order to prevent any eventual ICC proceedings against it, and the Palestinians, to finally secure their popular sovereignty.
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And ultimately that is the root point of the matter - popular sovereignty. Call me a Rousseaunian if you like, but it cannot any longer be ignored by the International Community that the Palestinian general will is calling for self determination - free of Israel, Jordan and all other nations.
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Can this move by Abbas finally put the rocket-boosters under the Israelis, and get real negotiations going? Will the move force the US to veto, despite a clear endorsement by the UN General Assembly? 


Who knows, all that is certain is this: nothing is going to stop the Palestinian people & and their leadership from pursuing their objective of self determination. And at the end of the day, isn't that what the UN is there for? To listen and act on clear expressions of the popular sovereignty?

A new party for a new Scotland

Murdo has my full support in his bid to create a new centre-right party by disbanding the current Scottish Conservative & Unionist one ... we need a Scottish centre-right alternative
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"A New Party for a New Scotland"
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Murdo Fraser is the favourite to succeed auntie bella, and he has long been known for his radical pro-devolution views. But supporting fiscal autonomy as a Scottish Tory is one thing, to seek to break the party off from the English Tories however ... that is decisively new. And it is something that I totally, 100% support. Go on Murdo!
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Guess that is my views made plain then! But seriously, it is time to reconsider the party merger, a rather grubby hangover from the Heath era. 
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No name for the new party has been decided, but when he formally launches his leadership campaign in Edinburgh on Monday, Mr Fraser will unveil the slogan: “A new party for a new Scotland.” He said: “If I am elected as leader of the party, I will turn it into a new and stronger party for Scotland.

“A new party. A winning party with new supporters from all walks of life.

“A new belief in devolution. A new approach to policy-making. A new name.

“But, most importantly, a new positive message about the benefits of staying in and strengthening our United Kingdom. A new party. A new unionism. A new dawn.” But winding up in Scotland would raise significant questions over the party’s ability to remain committed to unionism with no arm north of the Border.

All I know is that our PM, the erstwhile Mr Cameron has said nothing, and doesn't seem to be bothered at the prospect at being the first (ever) PM not to have any Scottish seats.

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... GO ON MURDO!