Let me share with you very clearly where I stand, before I comment on the 2014 local and European election results. I was born in Holland and I see no reason to give up my Dutch nationality. I have been a guest worker in the United Kingdom since March 1976, having completed O and A Levels in Scotland (1971-1975). I am a Christian and have no desire to get involved in the “us and them” adversortial politics of the 20th Century. I am only interested in seeing well managed local communities, because these are the building blocks which create the long term stability of a nation. I have no axe to grind and will be more comfortable as a quiet observer and continue as a labourer in the Lord's vineyard.
The 2014 election turn-out and results
When you look in more detail at the UK's National Election results there has been a consistent increase in the number of “non-voters” in the latter half of the 20th Century. Since 1945 no single party has won by actual majority vote.
37% turn-out last Thursday in the United Kingdom and an equally poor turn-our in Europe this weekend is rediculous. I blame all politicians throughout Europe for failing the recognise that manual voting is out-of-date and needs to be replaced by an electronic (internet based) alternative.
Let UKIP and all anti-europe parties have their moment of glory - There are serious problems that deserve a thorough review to avoid future economic mismanagement. UKIP have gained some seats in the UK's local district council elections last Thursday and next years national elections will show more realistically whether any single political party can be trusted to manage the British nation and its Economy on your behalf.
UKIP need time to prove themselves as an effective alternative on the local political scene. Their non-constructive contribution in the European parliament is unlikely to help them as a political alternative in the Westminster Houses of Parliament.
At the same time the Liberal Democrats and its supporters need to hold their nerve. If they truly believe that they can hold sway and break the mold of two party politics, now is not the moment to start blaming its current leadership team for the electoral back lash they have suffered.
In the Netherlands
During the 15th/16th Century our nation fought hard to liberate ourselves from occupation by the Holy Roman Emperor. The resistance movement united behind William of Orange, more commonly known in our History as “William the Silent”. We like to think of him as the “father of our fatherland”...
Our current monarch, Willem Alexander, his Argentinian born wife and family join our nation in celebrating 200 years as a constitutional monarchy. During that same time span a lot of nations turned away from monarchical rule in favour political consensus. We embody in our national culture a love for the colour orange and national pride for "team orange" and gradually built a constitutional monarchy with legacies incorporating 2000 year old Roman as well as more recent Napoleonic laws.
In modern day Netherlands we have a State Economic Council, which is impartial and completely non-political. All legislation in the Netherlands is usually vetted by this council - more often than not, it ensures independent assessment of all activities by the legislative and the executive.
In the United Kingdom
The ideas of four nations united behind Queen Elizabeth and her successors appeals to me. British Common law is very different and allows some out-of-date legal precedents to cause more harm than is necessary in a modern society.
The existing method of “first past the post” local and national elections needs to be subjected to a thorough review for several reasons, to be explained in the near future...
The existing method of “first past the post” local and national elections needs to be subjected to a thorough review for several reasons, to be explained in the near future...
Independent Scotland?
Not for me to decide as explained in the opening paragraph. It does not stop me from giving you a view from my/our “National” perspective as a Dutch born citizen who has enjoyed British hospitality since September 1971.
British politicians need to look more carefully at the “Commonwealth of Nations” model and other political structures in Europe.
The SNP and the Scottish Labour Party need to produce a long term plan in a detailed manifesto and not fall into the trap of paper thin adversorial politics and posturing.
A proper national debate and appropriate scrutiny by the United Kingdom's Parliament based at Westminster is vital. Complete separation is a big mountain to climb and I am not sure that the English politicians are aware of the long term implications. Scottish politicians need to reflect soberly on the benefits and not be blinded by recent history of mis-management of the Scottish Financial Institutions.
British politicians need to look more carefully at the “Commonwealth of Nations” model and other political structures in Europe.
The SNP and the Scottish Labour Party need to produce a long term plan in a detailed manifesto and not fall into the trap of paper thin adversorial politics and posturing.
A proper national debate and appropriate scrutiny by the United Kingdom's Parliament based at Westminster is vital. Complete separation is a big mountain to climb and I am not sure that the English politicians are aware of the long term implications. Scottish politicians need to reflect soberly on the benefits and not be blinded by recent history of mis-management of the Scottish Financial Institutions.
