Thought Id start this one going because its rather dead on this board at the moment and I suppose all my usual muckers are either at the Stella tennis event watching Dim Tim (lose again) or at Henly Regatta eating cucumber sandwiches (they wish,...NOT).

Anyway please feel free to just talk to yourself blast away and let it go on any company or subject you wish. Just wish Id thought of this one before.

cheers GF.

But you must have fathomed out by now MK that this "Con" Government do seem constantly to need someone or something to blame to deflect their own bent conduct surely.

Its not a conservative government Stan, and that's the problem.

You are wrong. It is not possible to modify the Lisbon treaty as Brown gave away that ability. Prior to that we had the power to reject and make amendments to the treaty. We now only have the option of leaving the EU. That is why Cameron is trying to amend the treaty through talks that will get enough backing within the EU.

Here is an example of how this is impossible

Gordon Brown rejects German call to make changes to Lisbon treaty
EU leaders embroiled in row after Angela Merkel points to flaws in European charter

Friday 26 March 2010 19.30 GMT

European leaders were embroiled today in a row over whether to reopen the ill-fated Lisbon treaty discussions, only four months after the EU's new rule book came into force.

While the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, pointed to flaws that could only fixed by revisiting Lisbon, Gordon Brown insisted that there was no appetite in Europe for reopening the charter, after nine gruelling years of argument about getting it adopted.

A two-day EU summit in Brussels ended with Merkel announcing that treaty changes were inevitable and Brown declaring them inconceivable.

Merkel appeared isolated, but nonetheless in a strong position after dictating the terms of a rescue plan for Greece aimed at forestalling its financial collapse and destabilising the euro.

She was feted today at home as Germany's "iron chancellor" and Europe's new Margaret Thatcher, after securing agreement against the odds on a rescue deal for Greece, but on the toughest of terms determined by Berlin. Her hard line is playing well at home, but stirring complaints about a new "German hegemony" in Europe.

Berlin, which will shoulder the greater cost of bailing out Greece if push comes to shove, appears bent on establishing a new system of penalties and sanctions aimed at preventing the recurrence of a Greece-style financial emergency among the 16 countries using the euro.

To obtain complete risk insurance, Merkel said the Lisbon treaty would need to be changed. The rules for deterring and punishing fiscal profligacy were inadequate, she said. "If the treaties are not right, we can't say we don't want to do anything for 10 years."

That directly contradicted Brown, who has repeatedly said that after the Lisbon treaty there should be no more institutional changes in the EU for at least a decade.

Merkel has called for new rules to allow the expulsion of a country from the single currency if need be, and for the establishment of a European monetary fund. Both would need major changes in EU law.

José Manuel Barroso, the president of the European commission, and Herman van Rompuy, the president of the European council, are known to be sceptical about revisiting the Lisbon treaty, which many liken to opening a Pandora's box.

The summit put Van Rompuy in charge of a "taskforce" that is to report by the end of the year on how the rules governing the single currency might be tightened.

One senior European official said no one but Merkel wanted to reopen the Lisbon treaty, a process that requires the agreement of all 27 EU governments.

Another senior official was worried about the potential impact in Britain and Europe if the Conservative party leader, David Cameron, were to win the general election, because Cameron could use reopening the treaty to trigger a major crisis by holding a referendum in Britain.

"There are doubts," said the senior official when asked about the Lisbon question. "There are member states that will reopen other issues. I know in Britain that the party that is ahead in the polls would like to open discussions."

Senior sources said that Merkel sought, but failed, to insert language into today's summit communique on the possible need to reopen the treaty. She won some support from President Nicolas Sarkozy of France, who said that the sanctions for destabilising the single currency were not fit for purpose.

Brown challenged the German chancellor on the issue and claimed broad support. "This was not just the British government, but the European council [summit] that didn't want to see institutional or constitutional change over the next few years," said Brown.

The important part of the above is this

Another senior official was worried about the potential impact in Britain and Europe if the Conservative party leader, David Cameron, were to win the general election, because Cameron could use reopening the treaty to trigger a major crisis by holding a referendum in Britain.

And that is why Cameron could not hold a referendum as it needs all 27 countries to agree to amend the treaty. Prior to Brown and the Lisbon treaty, it was not required that all 27 should agree.

MaxK
You can't have a Conservative government with a coalition. Cameron's hands are tied. The trouble is that we are not used to having a coalition government where our favoured party cannot do what they really want. The Conservatives and the Libs are getting a lot of stick from their supporters as they don't get the policies that they want.

I am not sure what you expect from a Conservative government.

Twaddle!

He could hold a referendum tomorrow if he wanted. (ok, a couple of months time)

The Libs would howl and screetch, but what could they do?

To go against would destroy them.

What would the referendum be on? It would have to be and 'in or out' vote. Cameron's view is that we should attempt to attempt to get a better deal from the EU and then offer that or 'out' to the voters. That represents a better choice. A vote now would be a choice between 'out' or accepting the EU exactly as it is.

The Libs could screetch and howl and they could vote it down with Labour's help.

Well after all that huff an puff there won't be a referendum as Cameron chances of an winning the next election are dismal for tory followers and he doesn't want out anyway and will make excuses if it came to it and pressure for staying in the EU with all the bits and pieces.

I think Ed and majority of Labour party are for a more integrated Europe and will avoid a referendum and if the tie up with the remnants of the Lib/dems they will a working majority.

Well after all that huff an puff there won't be a referendum as Cameron chances of an winning the next election are dismal for tory followers and he doesn't want out anyway and will make excuses if it came to it and pressure for staying in the EU with all the bits and pieces.

I think Ed and majority of Labour party are for a more integrated Europe and will avoid a referendum and if the tie up with the remnants of the Lib/dems they will a working majority.

"Its not a conservative government Stan, and that's the problem." I'm afraid it is Max as far as going back to the early 80's tactics is concerned, which is what this lot are up to now.

The tacticts were correct. It is about supply-side economic policies.

Yes, that's right, pump house prices and hope for the best.

Bollox to the rest of the economy, get the feelgood factor into place.

Don't mention the 1 hour contracts

Don't mention the social dumping (immigration)

Dont mention the real cut in wages

Dont mention real unemployment

Dont mention the real costs of welfare



In fact, airbrush all the real problems away, cos this bunch of incompetants are incapable of solving anything.

People moving increases demand in the economy

1 or 0 hour contracts have been around for years and around 80% of those workers like the system because of its flexibility

You are bound to get cuts in living standards in a recession if you want to get out of it. The alternative is deeper into debt.

Unemployment rises in a recession.

Welfare costs need to be reduced.

I think you mental health problems Haystack.

Certainly doesnt understand Economics and thats for sure.

Another day, another Tory Party mess involving money, The latest Corrupt "Con" Government M.P. alert? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-24827405

MARK PRITHARD . yes being a tory MP is only a part time job .
greed is the word he does not give a toss for being MP for is voters
he should resign in shame but he will not .
MY PARTY THE CONSERVATIVES are now a party of liars and crooks

vote UKIP.
as a tory I would now sooner vote for lab unbelievable

Senior Conservative MP uses political contacts to further business empire

A senior Conservative MP offered to use his political contacts to set up business deals with foreign officials and ministers in return for being paid hundreds of thousands of pounds, The Telegraph can disclose.

the tape says it all and is voice not any one else
guilty corruption for is own ends

.

Morning TANKER have you been on holiday?, said you were packing your case last time you were here.