Vladimir Putin has just signed a deal with Islam Karimov, President of Uzbekistan, to pay market prices for gas exported to Russia from the Central Asian republic. The two countries have also agreed to build a new pipeline to Russia to carry increased supplies of gas from Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

Writing in the Observer, the Prime Minister makes it abundantly clear that Russian aggression must be met by determined EU action and a "root and branch" review in regards to our relations with the Russian state. Funding is also called for to build a new pipeline bypassing Russia. 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/aug/31/russia.georgia

There are dark rumors circling that Russia is away to turn off the gas to certain member states, depending on the EU response on Monday. It looks like the UK will be backing a strong stance as will presumably France. Italy is league with the enemy and its anyone's guess what Germany will say, after all - they will probably suffer worst of all if Russia really wants to make an enemy of Europe.

At least the Prime Minister is now telling us what he thinks. He has established his authority and has taken the correct tone. The UK has taken the lead in European criticism of Russia - lets see if our allies do the same.

The anti-nuclear lobby can go and take a running jump. We have never needed security of supply more than now. 

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7561926.stm

Looks like the missile shield deal has to been finalised, signed and sealed.

Both the US and Poland must have felt the time was right - indeed, it is clear an old enemy is up to new tricks.

The Question is - what is EUROPE and the US going to do when Russia inevitably points its missiles at POLAND and NATO?  

One of the big sticks being used to attack Labour is immigration from Eastern Europe since 2004

If there is one thing that could bring down rising food costs currently, it is scrapping agricultural subsidies in America and Europe.

The subsidies feel like a conspiracy to grind Africa into submission. Not only do they cost the taxpayer half of the EU budget, but it piles on the costs of food bills.

Yet Susan Schwab disgraced herself, by saying that it was "unconscionable" that developing countries were demanding protectionist policies. I think all trade tarrifs should be lifted, but I would rather we had protectionism for Africa than Europe or the USA.

Sadly, there is little hope that subsidies will be lifted in the USA, owing to huge political pressure.

What is truely "unconsionable", is that there is protectionism for the rich. EU subsidies aren't going towards 'the little guy', nor are American subsidies, although Conservative politicians would have you believe otherwise. The subsidies are going to massive corporations, like Tate and Lyle.

How on earth Republicans and UMP members can bleat about the unfettered free market, like their British counterparts, while supporting trade barriers big enough to reach the clouds is bewildering.

Postscript: I'm hoping all people on here don't support Sarkozy. I remember the rather heated debate last year, when JR supported Sarkozy. Thank god he's gone, as there are actually many reasonable, and loyal socialist New Labourites. JR's support was based on the 35 hour working week, which was apparently bringing down France. You would have though from his moanings, that all French workers were being dragged out from their workplaces against their will. Well, it only applied to half of workers, and productivity as well as quality of life soared. But what about the economic effects? Unemployment fell by 3%. Someone's freedom to work more than 35 hours was still met. Except they weren't paid overtime. They still had freedom to work, but it was balanced against freedom from being coerced into working long hours. There are literally millions in this country who sign contracts 'voluntarily', saying that they should work for more than 48 hours. It was only a couple of years ago that a third of men were working more than 50 hours. We could learn some lessons from the French. But not on agricultural subsidies.

In times of turbulence look for a good anchorage: to protect Britain from the ravages of a turbulent global environment Gordon should seriously consider steering Britain firmly into the heart of the European Union. OK so we are members, but we could still choose to be free of the unnecessary bureaucracy that goes with having our own currency and visa area.

With the current slowdown in financial markets and the continuing strength of the Euro, now is as good a time as ever to launch a referendum campaign for Britain to join the Euro.

Is it time for Gordon Brown to be brave and hold a referendum on the EU Treaty?

The independent MP and former Labour cabinet minister, Clare Short, has accused the Prime Minister of tokenism for sending Baroness Amos to the EU/Africa summit this weekend in his place. Today Short claimed that Amos, who will be attending as the UK’s representative, is being sent because she is black.  For more info, click here.

Everybody seems to be demanding a referendum on something these days, mostly on Europe, but also on anything that might smack of 'constitutional change'. But how well thought out is the argument, and do referenda produce better decisions than parliamentary votes?

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/politics/story/0,,2147199,00.html 

"The most controversial proposal in the report, which aims to improve the competitiveness of the British economy, would see a Tory government restore the opt-out from the European Social Chapter, which was removed by Labour in 1997. Redwood will also call for EU working time regulations to be repealed."

This was just a bit too geeky to be included in my previous post about constitutional reform. The situation whereby EU citizens who live in Britain and pay tax in Britain don't get to vote in general elections while ex-pat tax exiles get to vote Tory strikes me as wrong.

Gordon Brown promised to listen to the British people yet the new EU Reform treaty is clearly damaging to our interests . Can I suggest we need a referendum so that we can end the divisions in the country and Party once and for all

I just don't beleive it.

Apologies but this event has been postponed until further notice.

Membership of the EU has brought massive benefits to Britain, not least because it has managed to reform itself over the 50 years of its existence, almost wholly on the basis of treaties agreed unanimously every few years. With the internal market now largely complete from the Atlantic to the Black Sea, popular support for further reform needs a clear vision of what will be achieved. Climate change is one key issue, but there are others, particularly security, skills and trade.

Objective one in Cornwall has been a Labour success. providing  many benefits to the people of Cornwall.  The programme will be completed at the end of this year 2006, and it will be interesting to see what the future for the local economy.

Geoff Hoon wants children to be taught about the EU in school.