Aegle Comments

The UK is badly divided between those that wish to remain in the EU and those that want to leave.

For months we keep hearing how bad leaving will be and that only “thick, uneducated, white, racists old people” are driving the leave campaign and that they did not know what it was they were voting for. Whilst “clever, educated, young people” do know what they voted for.

The truth is no one knows what the outcome will be if parliament finally decided to accept the vote of the majority of people who voted in the referendum; instead of trying to fudge round the edges and keep us within Europe without any rights.

As a retired head hunter, I give you all the advice I gave all my placements over 22 years, “once you resign never accept a counter offer or look back, look to the future and how you can make it work.”

On this side I am now convinced that there is a big difference between the Remain camp and the Leave camp in how they look at life.

The Remain camp remind me of people suffering from the Stockholm syndrome, they have been captive for so long that they have developed a psychological alliance with their captors as a survival strategy during captivity. These people are scared to leave or do anything different, they have no imagination except that fed to them from their captors and they have no ambition to grow; other than within the constraints foisted upon them.

The Brexiters on the other hand want to break free, they wish to cast off the manacles and grow, they have foresight and ambition, they can see a future out there in the wide world and wish to take advantage and better themselves. They wish to emulate their ancestors in being risk takers by taking a leap into the unknown. Yes, some parts may well fail, but the majority will grow.

It is a risk, but one that we should take. Without people willing to take a risk we would still be sitting in the trees or caves, we wouldn’t have had the industrial revolution or grown the cities we now have.

It is time for the UK to have a bold and innovative government, one that is willing to lead and take risks; and I am afraid looking at both the Parliament and the decrepit House of Lords I can see but a small handful of people who are worthy of this country and its myriad of races that we call British; the rest are an embarrassment at best and downright dishonest at worst.

Never accept a counter offer

Having been the owner of a successful Search and Selection and Career Guidance company for more than 20 years I have met many guided many high-powered individuals into taking that step forward to a better career that has allowed them to unlock potential and become even more successful.

One of the most important bits of advice that I gave was at the start of our relationship when the individual was asked “what is it you are really looking for?” depending upon the reply I decided whether or not to help them or to politely put them to one side; until they understood the implications of their actions.

Once we agreed to help them my next question was always “Are you serious about moving on, and will you continue with the process without turning back?” because once they have shown their hand their current employer will no longer trust them.

With the process well under way and an opportunity has been identified and an offer made we came to the most dangerous part of the recruitment process. How to resign and walk away maintaining good relations and doing so in a professional way.

The opportunity looks good, the new company offers what you want so what is the problem? The problem is the counter offer or the threats. You tell your current employer you are going and they do everything to stop you leaving, they offer you more money, promotion plus other benefits; as these fail they start to threaten you with “what ifs”.

Should you now decide to change your mind and remain then what can you expect? Any improvement in salary will be clawed back over the next couple of years, promotion will be stopped as you are no longer trustworthy, you will no longer be at the top table as you are no longer reliable also they know they can walk all over you and you will come running begging for scraps; any respect in you has now gone.

Basically, once you decide to leave and tell your employer you are going then the best thing to do is get out of there as fast as possible.

It is exactly the same for the UK and the Brexit vote. No matter how you voted the result was for leaving the EU, we have told the Commission that we are leaving so now we must leave. There can be no turning back and no negotiations to keep parts of the old agreement. Any agreement to continue paying into the EU so that we can keep parts of an agreement will leave the UK at the mercy of the vengeful self-centred EU elite.

It is high time that those in power that wished to remain stopped their negativity and use their talents to ensure that the UK moves forward to better and greater things.

The press, especially the BBC, is very negative in its reporting; just a word here and there changes the entire meaning of a report. Listen carefully to their word if the news on the economy is good then they say “despite Brexit manufacturing is up” if the news is not good then “manufacturing is down because of Brexit”. A subtle but very pointed way of portraying a negative stance to Brexit.

I have no doubt that there are good reasons to remain in the EU, but the majority of people who voted wanted to leave. Personally, I think because the Commission behaves worse than the Tsars of Russia or the French Royal family in their attitude to the people who pay their salaries. I believe the people of the world are getting fed up with big remote government and the riots in Catalonia will become more frequent across other small states of Europe and the world as people want more say in how they are governed.

Any deal that means we have to pay will cripple the UK economy for years to come as the payment figure will go up every year with very little benefit for us.

The EU does not want a deal and will do everything possible to ensure that we continue paying but no longer have any influence; therefore, as in resigning form a company we must just walk away. European manufacturers will soon come banging on our door for a trade deal.

Never withdraw your resignation once it has been handed in; you will regret it in the future.

Richard Fuggle

Now retired.

Dichotomy

The news today has been very interesting with Theresa May calling a snap election in June. Not entirely unexpected as she has been battling against her own party regarding Brexit and should it be hard or soft, or should we have another vote ad-infinitum until the EU gets the result it wanted.

To my mind there is no such thing as “hard or soft” Brexit, there is just Brexit. The Die has been cast and the people gave their verdict, though a narrow result it was a result in favour of leaving. I do wonder if the remainers would allow another vote if the result had been the other way.

It appears the Prime Minister wants a clear mandate to go to Europe to negotiate the best deal possible for the UK and not some wishy washy half in half out, still paying and obeying but no voice deal that the Labour party and LibDems seem to want.

Despite all the doom forecasters the UK economy seems to be going from strength to strength because of the “Out” vote. Though I notice the BBC has a different take on reading the news, if the result is positive as in the economy is getting better then the BBC say “despite Brexit”, yet if things are worse as in the drop in the value of the pound it is “Because of Brexit”. Maybe semantics but it is a definite bias in reporting.

Watching the news today the BBC was interviewing various people about the upcoming election, some said they were fed up with voting (understandably I am ) but it was the vitriol and blinkered view of some who just said “We need to get rid of the Tories and their Brexit policy”. Perhaps these people should look at the campaign to stay or remain in the EU and see how each party tried to lead us by the nose into voting Remain by using scare tactics. The only party (not individuals) to campaign to leave was UKIP. Some Tories and some Labour MP’s did campaign for us to leave, but they were not following party lines; the Tories were allowed a free vote.

This election should be very interesting because of the way the country voted during the Brexit campaign. During the campaign the Tory party was primarily in favour of remaining in the EU as was the Labour party, the LibDems were 100% in favour or remaining in the EU; hence all the prophecies of disaster and catastrophe should we be stupid enough to vote leave.

This is where the dichotomy comes in; looking at the result of the Brexit vote the majority of remainers was in the South East, particularly with those employed in the finance industry. Typically these people are Tory voters, yet their party under the leadership of Theresa May is now pushing for us to leave the EU, as per the result of the referendum; in other words the Tories are doing what the country voted for, no “ifs and buts”.

Whilst the majority of leave voters are from the north of England, typically Labour voters, whose leadership is still in favour of remaining within the EU or at least partly remaining within the EU to gain access to the “single market”, where we will have to still abide by EU rules, pay into the EU budget, accept unregulated immigration and have no say whatsoever in the EU.

So how does each side square this circle, does it mean that the South East will vote Labour to get the Brexit they want, or does the North vote Tory to get the Brexit they voted for?

Either way the government should follow the result of the referendum and take us out of the EU and in order carry out the will of the people they must have a free hand to negotiate the best deal possible. If it means leaving the free market then so be it. There is a big world out there that is fed up of trying to deal with the EU and will happily deal with us. As for Scotland if they really think they will be better off away from Westminster and under the yoke of unelected politicians then let them try it.

Are politicians living in a different reality?

2016 is over and with it some surprising world shaking events; the UK voted to leave the European Union and the USA voted in Donald Trump as president. I would add here that I predicted both these outcomes very early on in 2016, though even I was surprised that Brexit won going by the predictions from the doom and gloom merchants.

We are now in 2017 which looks like we are in for much of the same. We have just seen one of the most ridiculous statements ever issued from not just a politician but the leader of the main opposition party in the UK. Mr Corbyn wants to place a cap on the maximum amount of money a person can earn.

This idea is so beyond belief that I wonder how any sane person could even think of voting for him. The labour party is meant to be the opposition, therefore they are supposed to try and hold the government in check and question any injustices or wrong ideas put forward by the government. They are not supposed to come up with idiotic suggestions that deny them any credibility or kudos.

Now I am sure there are people who think a cap on salaries is a good idea, but where do we draw the line. To some people £40,000 may seem a lot, but to others it is a weekend away. Yes the earnings of some is in the millions, but maybe they have put in the work and investment into getting that reward.

Imagine a cap of say half a million pounds a year, a fairly large sum that should be more than enough to live very well on, however this figure is nowhere near the amount earned by our top football stars or many celebrities that appear on our televisions. Would Mr Corbyn exempt them from the wage cap to keep the talent (?) in the UK?

How about the leaders of some of the largest owned corporations in the UK that bring in billions on revenue and tax every year, would their bosses be capped, thus encouraging them to move abroad and take their company with them?

What a limited or private company pays its employees is down to the owners and shareholders and not down to government; though I would add that shareholders should have a say in the level of reward paid to its employees.

If there should be a cap on any salaries then that cap should be on anyone who receives their pay from the public purse. This would be all politicians, the NHS, the armed forces, emergency services, civil servants, teachers, local government and of course the BBC.

Granted many ordinary workers paid by the public purse deserve a pay rise, but some (as in NHS trust managers) are grossly overpaid. BBC presenters and celebrities are paid in excess of a million a year with some earning many millions.

At the same time we should also be wary of the old mantra continually spouted by the Labour party of taxing the rich so that they pay their fair share. As the highest earners (300,000) are paying 27% of the nation’s tax bill I think they are paying well in excess of their fair share. Higher tax means money and talent leaves our shores.

If there is a cap on salaries then the tax revenue would drop drastically and there would be very little money to fund any of our essential services.

It is very worrying that the country is now being run by politicians from all parties who do not have a clue, are very un-statesman, are egotistical and some are downright crooked; that is what happens when you have career politicians who have very little experience of the real world.

The End is Nigh

There comes a time in our lives when we must sit back and evaluate the future and what it holds for us personally; and that is something I have been doing for a number of months now.

As a person who spends a lot of time offering solutions to other people with regard to their career and how to improve their lot and prospects I have neglected my own future a little bit.

After a lot of thought and a few sleepless nights I have decided that after 21 very successful and rewarding years as a Search and Career consultant it is time to hang up the phone and turn off the email.

From the end of December 2016 our phones will no longer work, email will not be replied to and post will be returned.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my working career despite all the ups and downs. I started in banking working for the then London Trustee Savings Bank in Cheapside and various branches around London and Kent. This was followed by a number of years with American Express International Banking Corporation in Waterloo Place London. Here I learnt international banking and made many good friends, alas some are no longer with us.

After a stint as a contractor I joined the then, small, Industrial Bank of Japan, London Branch on the ground floor of the now demolished Bucklersbury House in Walbrook London. We moved to the 9^th floor some years later then to Friday Street, a building I was never comfortable with.

My time with IBJ was very interesting, first of all the cultural differences between Japanese and English was quite a shock; but once you accepted there would always be differences we got on very well. The Japanese were always fair and on the whole good employers who would listen to ideas and slowly come round to your way of thinking.

Once again I made many friends at IBJ most of them I am still in contact with and a lot are also reaching or have reached retirement. So hello to all current and ex-IBJ staff.

On leaving banking I set up my own company carrying out search and selection services to many of the large international banks around the world; with customers from London, to Hong Kong and South Africa.

During the last 21 years we have helped countless people to advance their career placing them with a different company doing the same job or by helping them re-launch their career in a completely different direction.

Many have kept in contact and used us again, either to advance their career again or asked us to help them find those hidden candidates to fill a position within their new organisation. Others have never called us again, despite the free help and support we gave them; but that is the nature of people.

So from the end of 2016 our database will be wiped and communication will be cut.

Should anyone feel they wish to take on the mantle of the company then feel free to drop me a line, I am open to negotiations.

My LinkedIn account will still be open as will my Facebook account.

Once again my thanks to everyone who helped me or used our services over the last 21 years and I hope all your future career aspirations are successful.

Rick Fuggle

Speaking from experience

A lot has been said about the EU referendum and I have no doubt that a lot more will be said in the coming months.

I would like to let the young vociferous remainers who are continually blaming the selfish older generation for depriving them of becoming citizens of the totalitarian state of Europe that maybe we do know better.

As children we were taught to listen to our elders, as they speak from experience, a maxim that still holds sway today in many cases. Many of us above 50 still say “if only I had listened to my parents” as we realise their advice about falling out of trees and hurting our knees would come back to haunt as in future years.

Well it is the same EU vote, back in 1975 we had the option of joining this great nascent trading organisation and in forging closer ties with Europe. We were told that once we became members food prices would plummet, our shops would become a like the horn of cornucopia with exotic goods flowing freely and cheaply. That bureaucracy would be cut and life would be easier.

In fairness the EU has brought about many good things, we can now buy many foods that were considered exotic or too expensive to the British when I was a child; pasta, peppers, aubergines, garlic, tomatoes at Christmas, wines plus a myriad of other imports.

We can now travel across EU borders with ease, either to live, work or holiday. Some EU employment laws are also very good, but not every EU country abides by them and some just ignore all rules.

Back in 1975 as now lies were told by both sides of the argument, and many truths were not told. In 1975 we never voted for the European Parliament that has elevated EU ministers and employees to a level higher than royalty and even higher then the Russian Tsars.

Back in 1975 I was young and inexperienced; I believed that politicians had the best interest of the people at heart. My parents and many of the older generation then warned against voting to join Europe as they felt there was a hidden agenda; but I knew best.

Now 41 years later I am a lot more experienced in the ways of the world, I have learnt that all politicians “speak with forked tongue” and I believe that the EU is set to implode.

The only way to save the doomed EU project would be to restructure the entire thing, but that will never happen because too many failures are employed by the commission and they have all been promoted to positions well above their competencies and are paid far too much money.

The USA has been Trumped

To me it is no surprise that Donald Trump has become president of the USA; not because he is good, nor is he better (or worse) than Hilary Clinton. He was elected because he is different.

The Americans really had a hard decision as to who vote for on the one hand there was Hilary Clinton, a well-known face in US politics, an ex-first lady and an accomplished politician. On the other hand they have Donald Trump an outspoken bombastic business man who has made and lost billions of dollars in his life time, he has a reputation for being a misogynist and running roughshod over his opponents.

What we are seeing in the USA is the same as we saw here in the UK with a Brexit vote. The people of the world are fed up with the political elite that keep telling us “that we are listening” then they ignore what has been said.

Politicians worldwide are behaving like demi gods, believing they know best; they have all forgotten that they are placed there to serve the people and not to line their own pockets and create a dynasty for their families to join; the number of politicians whose offspring have followed their parents into politics is unbelievable.

No doubt there are many people across the globe howling in fear at the thought of Donald Trump becoming president; yet there would have been an equal number of howlers had Hilary Clinton of won.

Like it or not the die has been cast so the world has to accept the result, and hopefully there won’t be the same grumbling, sniping and nastiness that has arisen here in the UK over the Brexit vote from sore losers. The Americans went into the election knowing one side would lose and they must accept that one side did.

Whether or not the best side won or not I have no idea, from my point of view I think the Americans had the choice offered to Greek sailors of either Charybdis or Scylla; there was no safe passage between.

On the bright side I think Trump could be a boon to us in the UK post Brexit. Already he is saying that we will not be “last in the queue” regarding trade deals, as was said by the Obama regime; that Clinton would probably have followed.

Trump wants to make more international trade deals and grow the US market and he will not bow down to the Tsars of Europe. He is a business man and understands the need to make a profit if you are to survive. Which is good for trade and the UK.

I have no doubt there will now be an autopsy on the result, as per usual, with all the regular celebrities and so called experts analysing why the vote went to Trump or why Clinton lost; when the answer is obvious.

The people of the world are sick to death of the ruling elite and their families lording it over us; we are fed up of career politicians who go from university straight into politics without ever having a real job. We are sick of seeing all the world leaders swanning it across the globe to various exotic locations with a cavalcade of motor vehicles spewing out toxic emissions telling us we must cut down pollution, while they sit down to a massive banquet discussing world poverty and famine.

First Brexit and now Trump what next? Marine le Pen, Geert Wilders, Norbert Hofer who knows where it will end? One thing is certain the people are fed up of the mainstream parties and their condescending attitude and disregard of the electorate.

Maybe, just maybe a vote for Trump is a vote for change, a vote for a maverick that will not conform and may be a path for something better.

Only time will tell, in the meantime don’t dig up your Anderson shelter, it may need to be recommissioned.

We’re going on a Revolution

I have to say that the last couple of years has probably been the most interesting time for world politics since the French Revolution. We have seen the established political elite being exposed for time and again for their shady or even downright dishonest dealings. We have seen how they run roughshod over the electorate and ignore the general populace as if they were a worm on a hot pavement.

These people spend the nation’s money on enriching their own lives and in raising their profile, without any concern to the electorate. Very few if any really cares about the people they profess to represent or even have any understanding on what the people really want.

We have seen our politicians lead us into un-necessary and unwarranted wars that have created hatred and intolerance across the globe. We have had the audacity to overthrow the leaders of other countries without any idea as to how to help that country after the head has been removed; thus leading to a power vacuum and the rise of extremists who rely on the old adage “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” against the west.

The self-aggrandising heads of Europe seek to expand their fiefdom by absorbing as many other nations as they can, regardless of what their people want or if their country is ready to be absorbed into the all-encompassing European state.

I have no doubt that there is a lot of good intentions and ideas that have emanated from the EU, however there is also a lot of waste and poor management.

The single market, the Euro and freedom to work in any state of the union are good; but only if we are all on a level playing field with the same standard of living, laws, wages, tax and benefits. The current disparity between southern, ex-communist and northern states encourages those from less wealthy countries want to move to the wealthier north either to work for more money or to claim higher benefits. It also encourages the wealthy to relocate their wealth to state that has a lower tax level, depriving a country of needed income.

In June this year the UK held a referendum asking the people if they wanted to remain or leave the European Union; though the result was not a landslide either way there was a result and that was to leave the Union.

Since then we have had nothing but moans, groans and scare mongering from those that wished to remain in the EU, with tremendous bias on all news reports from the BBC to stay.

The remain campaign keeps on about the “lies” from the leave campaign, and ignore completely the lies from their camp; including the prophetic words of Armageddon from the governor of the Bank of England who said the UK would collapse as companies stampeded away from our shores. Yet since the vote foreign companies and investors seem to be banging at the UK’s door. Interest rates were going to rise was the forecast from Threadneedle Street, yet they were reduced by .25%. Great accurate predictions.

Yes the pound has dropped, obviously there is some uncertainty in the market but the pessimistic voice from the Bank of England continually spouting on about the dangers is doing nothing to shore up the pound.

Politicians have had the audacity to say “the people did not know what they were voting for”; yet these are the same “ignorant” people who have voted for this and last lot of politicians. If anything we never knew how bad and crooked they all are so we all voted for the least worst of a very sorry bunch.

The current situation in the UK could have a very interesting outcome should Theresa May call a snap election; if we look at the voting patterns of the Brexit vote the strongest areas for leaving the EU were in the North of England. If we take Doncaster as an example, an ex-mining town and staunch Labour area represented by Ed Miliband and Caroline Flint both remain campaigners and who will probably toe the party line in a vote in the House and vote “remain”. Yet the voters of this area vote 69% in favour of Brexit; this leaves them voters in a bit of a dilemma, as they have always voted Labour and will probably do so in a snap election; thus they will vote in an MP who is going to go against their wishes.

We are seeing similar upsets throughout Europe with the people rising up and protesting more and more about their current so called leaders. Greece voted in a brand new party who are struggling to bring the country out of a depression while trying to manage the enormous debt racked up by the previous 2 administrations.

Italy has finally got a government, but who knows for how long before it descends into another farce or scandal.

France is being threatened by the far right Marine Le Pen who is making mass immigration an issue, though some points may be valid it is not the entire problem and inciting racial unrest is unforgiveable. At the same time the ruling elite there swan around in a manner that makes the long gone French aristocracy seem moderate.

Germany is now suffering with debt, mainly by lending money that will never be repaid to other EU countries. They also have the added problem of mass migration that is creating unrest and uncertainty amongst the people. I am not sure if Angela Merkel will survive the next election.

Here on our shores we have the Scottish problem with some SNP members demanding we remain in Europe else they will have another referendum to leave the UK. On this I think their esteemed leader is only interested in herself and standing on the world stage. Should Scotland separate from the UK they would have to finance themselves entirely, no more Barnett formula or hand outs, no more using the pound (though at its current value that may be good), many jobs would have to go as a lot of the UK tax offices are north of the border.

Then of course there is the EU commission itself, the way they treat the people of Europe is worse than the Tsars of Russia ever did. They spend money as if it was going out of fashion. They live high life at the expense of the European tax payers and with no regard as to how the people are getting on. Every now and then they throw a bone to the European peasant and expect them to be grateful.

Then of course  we have the United States of America and the upcoming election, really are the people there so hoodwinked that the best candidates they can come up with are Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton. I think if I was a voter in America I would vote for my pet cat,she couldn’t be any worse.

With all of this going on and seeing the Arab Spring I can’t help but think we are going to have a similar uprising here in the west with the people standing up and saying “enough is enough”. I have thought this for some time and always though the uprising would start in Europe, probably Greece or France; but now I think we the British will ignite the fuse for serious unrest if the will of the people regarding Brexit is not carried out.

A vote occurred in June 2016 and though it was close it was a majority to leave, if we have a second vote and it goes the other way 52%remain and 48% leave will the remainers then agree to a third vote; best out of three?

The Government should be bold and stop dilly dallying and invoke article 50 immediately to allow some stability back into the markets and to show the world that the UK can do anything.

If they ignore the will of the people then perhaps the spare plinth in Trafalgar Square could become home for a chopping block and basket for a few heads; I am sure there would not be a shortage of axe men/women.

Living in the past

What is it with the British people; they are so hung up about past glories and achievements that they seem to be incapable of looking to the advantages of the future.

This nostalgia seems to occur in every walk of life from work to sport and to home. Listen to football fans, whenever there is a major tournament and they immediately bring up the 1966 world cup and how England beat the world; never to be repeated or get anywhere near the finals since.

People go on about the British Empire, when I doubt if there are many alive today that can recall it or even know what countries were part of the Empire. Others keep referring to the 2 world wars as if they were great times. I am sure for those that lived through those times they could never be considered “great”; though as a United Kingdom we behaved admirably and with courage against overwhelming odds and eventually peace was restored.

The same goes for many of our current state backed services such as the NHS  and education. How many times do we hear people say “Bring back Matron, that’ll sort out the hospitals”? It is possible this may be right but people have this mental picture of Hattie Jacques strutting around and instilling fear and order into everything. There is some merit in the idea but with today’s technology, equipment and demands on the service Matron would not be up to the job; a team of matrons may be the answer rather than the health trust managers.

We all reminisce to our school days compared the standard of education today, once again there are some areas that I feel were better in the past, but we have to look at how the world has changed and kids today are being raised in a digital age with masses of information easily accessible 24/7; whereas we had to resort to public libraries (school libraries were nearly always poor) and asking others. Lessons we had are no longer relevant today so education must move with the times; however that is no excuse for mathematics, spelling, grammar and some knowledge of the history of the UK. Yet kids today have to develop new skills to help them compete in a future rapidly changing world.

Many of us look back and say “things were better then”, were they? Most homes only heated one room in the winter, we had frost on the inside of our windows, we only had 3 sets of clothing (school, best and play), baths were once a week and food was limited by the seasons as no one had a fridge and only basic foods were imported.

The problem is we all like what feels comfortable, hence we do the same thing every day; people dislike change and the fear of the unknown or of doing something different.

Back in 1975 the UK voted for change by joining the EEC and the benefits that go with working together. At the start this change was a benefit to all of Europe, yes there were some downsides as some goods increased in price but others dropped. The easier movement of goods and people throughout Europe also benefitted many as has the peace that goes hand in hand with trade. However the EEC soon metamorphosed into the EU and the benefits are being eroded by over regulation, unelected leaders and big business that wants control of everything that we do.

The UK has now had another referendum on our continued membership of the EU and much to my surprise has decided to leave, I thought that the British people who are averse to change would keep the status quo and remain. However I was wrong.

Now that we have decided to leave and “go it alone” it is time for the whole country to pull together and make this work. We must stop harping back to “yesterday” and the “good old times” we must look to the future with excitement, vision and opportunity.

The future is there for all to see, we must let go of the past and the constraints of an old bureaucratic Europe and we must look to the future.

Like Lots wife we look back at our peril.

A change is as good as a rest

Remain or Exit Europe the question on everyone’s lips.

If we listen to all the pundits, economists, politicians and super rich we get nothing but conflicting views; with most of the forecasters having their own agenda for their views.

If we look back at the history of our relationship with Europe it has never been an easy one, at one time or another we have had wars and skirmishes with the Dutch, Danes, Spanish, Portuguese, French and of course the Germans; with the main protagonists being the French and the Germans.

Has joining the EU made things better? Possibly in that the wars now are wars of words fought in meeting rooms leaving a few ruffled feathers and hurt pride; but at least now the wars are being lost and won by politicians and not by the man in the street on the front line endangering life and limb. So yes maybe this is step up from the battle fields.

However wars fought in meeting rooms also have consequences, maybe more damaging to future prosperity and peace in that now the weapons being used are financial. The European machine wants to control the entire wealth and economy of Europe, including the UK; they want all financial business under the control of the state, and all manufacturing controlled by the German industrial power house.

This will result in the rich northern European countries getting richer while the southern states will lag behind; with the exception of the UK which will be milked for all it’s worth to support the loss making southern states and France.

The EU was sold to the British people as the Common Market; a trading partner who we could work together with to the mutual benefit of all countries. The British people were never told that the EEC would metamorphose into a viral worm invading every aspect of our lives until we were completely under its control and powerless to escape.

Should we leave or remain in Europe?

The problem with remaining in Europe is that Europe itself has become stale and is in danger of becoming moribund. Innovation and progress is being hampered by unelected bureaucrats in Brussels who spend their time thinking up new legislation, compliance and other personal agendas because they know no better.

These rules are then enforced into law and Europe is held back even more, while the rest of the world moves forward at an ever accelerating rate.

The UK is currently stuck in a rut; we have powerless government whose hands are tied by European laws and rules. Businesses are swamped by paperwork, reports and numerous compliance and legal requirements that are hampering any growth or innovation.

The UK has become the old man of Europe that is being driven into the ground and possibly oblivion.

It is time for the UK and its people to change direction, to once again take up the challenge and have the courage that was shown by Drake, Cook, Scott and Edmund Hillary had when they set of on a dangerous expedition.

An exit from Europe will be an act of faith, it will have its problems and no doubt there will be failures but the rest of the world will still trade with us and want to come here. The money saved can be better used and directed to public services. We should not look to go back to the so called “good old days”, because they weren’t really that good. The NHS has had problems and long waiting lists as far back as I can remember, railways have rarely run on time and buses have always travelled in convoy; plus many other services that we look back on nostalgically thinking they were better.

A complete change of direction and a break away from the constraints of Europe may well bring out new entrepreneurs with zeal and enthusiasm to drive the country forward; if we could add to this a complete new set of politicians who are not governed by the old fashioned attitudes and loyalties to the has been corrupt parties we now have then the UK will go from strength to strength.

A Change is as good as a rest; and now is the time for a complete change and for the UK to stride forward.