Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Euro Constitution
French "Non" throws the bread basket up in the air!
Despite some of the French enjoying a measure of "entente cordial" in South Shields Market Place over the Bank Holiday weekend, the party atmosphere was thrown into confusion as their compatriots delivered a resounding "non" to plans for further European integration. France rejected ratification of the European Constitution by a larger than expected margin.
The pressure is now on Tony Bliar as Britain readies to take it's turn in chairing the European movement for a six month stint. Does he go ahead with a promised referendum here, or does he abandon the plan altogether?
Should Tony Bliar decide to go ahead with a poll and subsequently suffer a jolting defeat, the blow to his authority as Prime Minister could be fatal and quickly pave the path for the succession of Chancellor Gordon Brown. It is also possible that, following talks within the European Council of Ministers, massive changes could be made to the proposed European Constitution, and those member states who have already ratified may be asked to repeat the process, this might include a new vote in France. The Dutch also vote this week and it appears highly likely that they will reject the proposals in heavier numbers than the French.
This might suit Bliar, as extended talks on a new constitution, or indeed, moves to talk it dead, might well ensure that he rides out his third term to completion (and sticks the knife in Brown again.)
So, as you moan and groan about the prices being charged in the Market Place yesterday for vin and pain, remember that the French may have done us all a huge big favour!
Local Questions
Attention Councillors! There are a couple of unresolved issues that have featured in this blog over recent months. Just over two weeks ago I mailed the Council Officer dealing with the Redhead's Landing question, I pondered whether or not the land is definately and finally "out of bounds" for the public. I am still awaiting his response, perhaps a Rekendyke Ward Councillor will be good enough to chase the matter?
Far more important is this question - "How long may a Council consider an application?"
I refer to the application for village green status made to protect the future of Temple Memorial Park. It seems to me that the Borough Council have been considering this application for months! When will they either give it their blessing or reject it? I have to say that here is something that concerns me greatly, I am quite worried that should the Council fail to raise sufficient external funding for the new "super school" at Chuter Ede, and they continue to obfuscate with the village green issue, it would be so easy for them to return with a proposal to build a school on Temple Memorial Park adjoining the leisure centre, as "the only viable alternative".
Once again this is an issue which needs to be addressed sooner rather than later, I would hate to see the efforts of Steve Pattinson and others, be frustrated by tightening purse strings!
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Despite some of the French enjoying a measure of "entente cordial" in South Shields Market Place over the Bank Holiday weekend, the party atmosphere was thrown into confusion as their compatriots delivered a resounding "non" to plans for further European integration. France rejected ratification of the European Constitution by a larger than expected margin.
The pressure is now on Tony Bliar as Britain readies to take it's turn in chairing the European movement for a six month stint. Does he go ahead with a promised referendum here, or does he abandon the plan altogether?
Should Tony Bliar decide to go ahead with a poll and subsequently suffer a jolting defeat, the blow to his authority as Prime Minister could be fatal and quickly pave the path for the succession of Chancellor Gordon Brown. It is also possible that, following talks within the European Council of Ministers, massive changes could be made to the proposed European Constitution, and those member states who have already ratified may be asked to repeat the process, this might include a new vote in France. The Dutch also vote this week and it appears highly likely that they will reject the proposals in heavier numbers than the French.This might suit Bliar, as extended talks on a new constitution, or indeed, moves to talk it dead, might well ensure that he rides out his third term to completion (and sticks the knife in Brown again.)
So, as you moan and groan about the prices being charged in the Market Place yesterday for vin and pain, remember that the French may have done us all a huge big favour!
Local Questions
Attention Councillors! There are a couple of unresolved issues that have featured in this blog over recent months. Just over two weeks ago I mailed the Council Officer dealing with the Redhead's Landing question, I pondered whether or not the land is definately and finally "out of bounds" for the public. I am still awaiting his response, perhaps a Rekendyke Ward Councillor will be good enough to chase the matter?
Far more important is this question - "How long may a Council consider an application?"
I refer to the application for village green status made to protect the future of Temple Memorial Park. It seems to me that the Borough Council have been considering this application for months! When will they either give it their blessing or reject it? I have to say that here is something that concerns me greatly, I am quite worried that should the Council fail to raise sufficient external funding for the new "super school" at Chuter Ede, and they continue to obfuscate with the village green issue, it would be so easy for them to return with a proposal to build a school on Temple Memorial Park adjoining the leisure centre, as "the only viable alternative".
Once again this is an issue which needs to be addressed sooner rather than later, I would hate to see the efforts of Steve Pattinson and others, be frustrated by tightening purse strings!
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Curly Born in 1956
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