http://jeanromsey.blogspot.com
View my artwork from time to time, in watercolour and acrylics. My political views on Britain's influence on the world stage and my reasons for trusting the UKIP party to bring prosperity and stability into the realms of the United Kingdom and all we trade with globally.
Tuesday, 1 June 2021
Friday, 6 November 2020
I arrived in England on 25th of March 1965, started work at the Nursing Council in London on 1st April, moved to Forte's Holding Ltd, the hoteliers, restaurateurs hospitality conglomerate, then went to work in Fleet Street at the Birmingham Post and Mail's London Office, then joining the Press & Publicity Office of Overseas Containers Ltd at the most controversial period of convincing Dock labour to accept the latest technology in cargo handling in a hundred years.
With the largest container-ships built at the time to operate from Tilbury to Australia, OCL also needed a Container Port at Southampton to handle the Far East trade, as Container Ports were being developed in Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Taiwan with Road Hauliers and freight trains geared to transport huge 20-footers and 40-foot containers to connect with the Consolidation network in most UK industrial towns. This was a game changer for British Exports, yet the warped vision of politicians of the day could not see beyond Europe. And Britain joined the EEC in 1973, and I had just met my husband Roy and joined his design and photography business in Southampton, where we lived for over 47 years.
Today begins the winter of discontent as the UK's Second Covid Lockdown began last night Thursday 5th of November, Guy Fawkes Day and normally bonfire night is held in every community with fireworks displays well into the night. This year there was not a single gathering to be found in Southampton, in one of England's greenest county, Hampshire is slowly succumbing to Coronavirus since our schools and universities re-open to students under strict restrictions, after a short period of respite, when the Chancellor entreated all those able to help out by eating out, to give our desperate hospitality sector a boost to the industry. Did the Prime Minister let go of the Covid control too soon or have we become immune to the threat of Covid-19 as many had allowed their masks to slip at various recent gatherings?
Whichever the cause, the R rate of infection has suddenly shot up, especially in the North of England and Scotland, where Tier 2 or 3 had been applied, followed by Wales, with a smaller population, went into voluntary lockdown ahead of Scotland and Northern Ireland, and England's lockdown will end on December 2nd with the hope of breaking the R trajectory before Christmas. This will hit the economy harder than before, as many businesses and retail outlets had cut their workforce since the government furlough of 80% of workers' salaries ended in October, just before the new furlough scheme came into play this week. The government seems to be a step behind at every turn, which prompted many criticisms.
Meanwhile Nigel Farage, leader of the Brexit Party, who had manoeuvred the last election for Boris Johnson to win the number of seats required to form his Tory government, has reinstated his Party to be renamed the Reform Party in readiness for Brexit, when the Prime Minister must get a clean Brexit deal (that is: No Deal is better than a Bad Deal) otherwise Farage with his Reform Party will go into action to agitate for a good Brexit, to gain back control of British Fishing Waters and retain control of our State Aid to our industries and businesses, which the EU Negotiator is trying to keep Britain under EU rules; their reason for not giving us the same deal as that for Canada.
Well, who needs neighbours when they try to stitch us up, to keep our economy down whilst continuing to receive £1 billion a month over four years since we voted to leave the EU in June 2016.
Meanwhile, Nigel is focused on the success of running a country on a low-tax, laissez-faire system like Hong Kong under Cowperthwaite. In 1960, with a GDP per capita of $429 (according to the OECD), compared to $1,380 for the UK and $3,007 for the US. Within 33 years its GDP per capita exceeded that of the UK. Within 50 years it overtook the US. Today it ranks among the ten richest nations in the world its per capita GDP is 40% higher than the UK’s.
For those interested in how that was achieved, click on the link below and enjoy the article by the Editor of Fortune & Freedom:
Wednesday, 12 August 2020
Memory of Slavery Vs British History
Slaves in Ancient Egypt are often prisoners of war, or inability to pay their debts and sometimes people sold their children or themselves into slavery because of poverty and needed food and shelter. In Egypt it was noted that the lives of slaves were often better off than a freeman elsewhere and young slaves could not be put to hard work or had to be brought up by the mistress of the household. The Bible too made references to slavery, which was common practice in antiquity. In Ancient Athens about 30% of the population were slaves and they could save up to purchase their freedom or could win freedom through bravery in battle.
In Ancient Rome freed slaves were allowed to become Roman citizens but during the Republic, Roman military expansion was a major source of slaves, some became manual labourer or in domestic services, others employed in highly skilled jobs and professions, even teachers, accountants and physicians. In Britain between 1699 and 1807 more than 3,351 voyages set out from London to West Africa as part of the transatlantic trade, which reached its peak in the 1780s and more and more people began to voice concerns about the moral implications and the brutality of the system. In 1776 the House of Commons debated a motion 'that the slave trade is contrary to the laws of God and the rights of men". The campaign to end slavery began in the late 18th century
Even today many countries are discovering elements of slavery in some labour-intensive industries and in the oldest profession in the world, where young innocent South-East Asians or Eastern Europeans had been smuggled into various countries as cheap labour and forced to work for pittance with no free time. These smugglers need to be stamped out and their slaves freed. By the same token, any smuggling of goods or people has no place in developed nations in the 21st century. Brexit will end all the EU restriction on Great Britain's future trade with all developing nations, we could look forward to helping many smaller nations progress, especially in view of the havoc caused by the Covid-19 on poorer economies still without water or sanitation. There is much to do globally and Britain is not afraid to extend a helping hand wherever possible.
We should be extremely proud of Britain's history, even though some who have migrated here for better work and pay, cannot see beyond their own immediate growth and attainment. The fact that they are here at all, enjoying the lifestyle that had evolved through the age long before their arrival, with infrastructure progressively improved by the taxpayers and traders who have made this country the fifth largest economy in the world, life for everyone has improved by leaps and bounds even for those EU citizens who migrated here unhindered in the last few decades, and with the 1950s Windrush migration our population today has increased by 50%.This must be the largest population explosion in the history of the British Isles.
I am specially proud of Britain's colonial history. Being Chinese born in India I count myself very fortunate to be calling Britain home, enjoying so many privileges, excellent culture of great diversity and able to develop my interests in any field I choose with no hindrance or prohibition from government, local authorities or neighbours. This is the most tolerant country I have encountered in the 55 years since leaving India and having visited over 85 countries in my life. Britain's greatest achievements in colonising almost half the planet had to be its strength and vitality in engaging half the world population into its history book, despite many criticism by sceptics decrying Britain's ulterior motives in her colonisation, the Empire had to some extend civilised many primitive tribal cultures, introducing western refined traits and mannerism, promoting education into villages and lifting peasants livelihood by building colonial railways to connect remote towns and suburbs. Most important of all is the introduction of the English language to the Commonwealth nations so they can come together to share in their community spirit, with a common communication language which Her Majesty the Queen reveres.
Britain's young citizens today, blacks, whites and all colours are in the best place possible to build a nation of great diversity, growing up together in harmony in the most progressive environment since ancient time. Each individual in school by the age of 18 is made fully aware of his or her rights as an upstanding citizen of the UK, with law and order to ensure everyone is entitled to their privacy, their rightful ownership of their property and goods, and the health and safety of family life from birth to death. British values in addition bestow on each family their right to peace and quiet, good manners and behaviour and to live life at our own pace and choice with no hindrance or violation. It is only right that their young vision is uplifted to achieve their best, without bitter historical grievances piled on their young shoulders to prevent them to stand tall as their school-mates. Their families too have a part to play in ensuring these young ideals are not tampered with fear and guilt, as equality and respect can only be achieved by fair play, with the condition of reciprocation: do unto others as you would have others do unto you,
This piece had taken longer to write as we experienced several demonstrations by thugs invading the protests of BAME minority groups, completely out of context with the brutality of Police in Minnesota trying to arrest George Floyd using fake money at a corner shop, which reported it to the Police, a crime that needs to be stopped and traced to the real perpetrators to eradicate this serious national fraud. Such crimes must be dealt with, but the Police has in this instance, utilised a new technique they learned to deal with terrorism that has reared its ugly head in the last decade. US law has found the three policemen guilty of manslaughter and they face imprisonment accordingly.
Jean Romsey
Wednesday 12th August 2020
Thursday, 2 July 2020
COVID-19 and BlackLivesMatter are Just Two of our Problems
The BlackLivesMatter demonstration on Sunday 7th June in Bristol was worrying, where thousands of people congregated disregarding social distancing rule, which was put in place for our safety so we could avoid being infected and impact on the NHS. But my sympathy was with some, who believe they suffered discrimination because of the colour of their skin, so I tweeted: "Of course Black Lives Matter, but so do White or yellow and Britain's historical past. If you choose to live in this democracy you need to put in equal efforts and hard work to reap equal rewards. Wilful destruction of property is unacceptable."
The next morning we heard the demonstration was not a peaceful event, more like a riot against authority, targeting law enforcement officers tasked with keeping Britain safe and crime-free; they defaced national monument and pulled down the statue of Edward Colston, born in1636 who joined his family business trading in wine, fruits and textile with Spain, Portugal and other European ports, and became involved in the then-legitimate Atlantic slave trade by shipping slaves to America.
“There is no excuse for pelting flares at brave officers, throwing bikes at police horses, attempting to disrespect the cenotaph or vandalising the statue of Winston Churchill - one of the greatest protectors of our freedoms who has ever lived."
The BLM demonstrations continued with more turnout!
Monday 8th June 2020 - I was so upset about the turn of events, I tweeted again today:
Don't violate COVID-19 distancing rule." I also said:
I also came to Britain during the 1948 - 1970 rebuild Britain programme, arriving at Gravesend on the foggiest day on record, where I could not see the fingers at the end of my extended arm. However, just before disembarkation my passport was returned to me, with information to apply for British citizenship at the end of five years, if I wished to remain in the UK, which I did in due course and started work within one week of arrival until I retired; that was 55 years ago and I have never encountered racial prejudice at work or play; all because my parents taught me to respect everyone's right to privacy and their pace of progress. In return respect for my person and work allowed me to progress happily with my group of friends and family. So have many Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic immigrants and their children gone from poverty on arrival to becoming pillars of society, achieving recognition for their hard work and a rightful place in society.
In the next episode I will set out how fortunate we, the so-called BAME population are to be sharing the benefits accumulated for thousands of years by the pragmatic pioneering indigenous peoples of Britain, who had ventured out to the darkest corners of the world to bring back knowledge. inventions and new experiences that endowed the culture of this diversified United Kingdom. Long may we continue to grow and assimilate for the benefit of all citizens of Britain.
Wednesday, 17 June 2020
A quick roundup of COVID-19
Lockdown and relaxation
BlackLiveMatter movement
Amidst all these warnings BlackLivesMatter demonstrators gathered in their thousands over several days in London and other cities, violating the social distancing rule, disrupting law & order and wounding 35 police officers on the first day. Will the government be blamed when they get infected with the virus?
Anyone who has lived in Britain for a year or more will have noticed the civility and respect people of this country have for each other, and particularly for the Police force. If we all learn to live with tolerance like the 60 million local indigenous population, no one needs to carry a knife and no need to abuse a policeman asking questions to carry out his duty. We should appreciate the police forces are trained to keep Britain safe from crime and disorder. By objecting or disputing Police authority, you could be committing a crime if you struggle to escape from being stopped and searched under suspicious circumstances.
We need to close the rift between the BLM and Indigenous population of Britain.
Monday, 31 December 2018
Theresa May's DEAL will trap us in the EU perpetually
The situation facing this nation is now more serious than anyone, who voted to Leave the EU in June 2016, ever thought possible. It is imperative to ensure we leave the EU without May's deal, to save us £39 billion to invest into our cash-strapped Health Care, Housing shortage and Education, rather than pay the European Union which had our support over 45 years, for which no reciprocal gratitude or appreciation had been shown. In fact, EU bureaucrats had been so indulged by Britain's largess and generosity, at the expense of our taxpayers and poorer wage-earners now dependent on food banks, that they are visibly taunting our government for more contributions, and in particular, taking undue advantage of our naive Prime Minister Theresa May, and hoodwinked her into signing a deal authored by this federal Union, which we trusted to have our well-being at heart, to entrap Britain in the Union in perpetuity.
Fortunately, the British people as a whole, and Parliamentarians in particular, are not so easily hoodwinked. Throughout the last hundred years, only three cabinet ministers stood out from the rest: Douglas Hurd, who signed off our huge war debts incurred by German bombing, allowing Germany scotch free from paying for reparation of devastation and wilful destruction on many European states, Britain only managed to pay off our huge war debts in 2006, whilst Germany was able to enrich itself by the Euro enforced on EU members.
While most of our politicians were sensible, pragmatic and practical, with foresight to achieve great progress for our citizens, Tony Blaire's flashiness and arrogance dragged Britain into the Iraq war in a pact with the President Bush Jr of America, the strife drained Britain's coffer and human resources, destabilised the Middle East and brought home the danger of primitive terrorism to our civil society.
Today we have the meek Theresa May who couldn't say boo to Tusks or oaf to Juncker, even as they call her nebulous, because she feels empowered by this pack of EU wolves that is giving her the authority to sign the death warrant of our sovereignty. For a Parson's daughter, this must have been the pinnacle of all her achievements, and the crowning glory will no doubt follow when Parliament, threatened by a 'No Deal' alternative, will vote to pass her deal of entrapment in mid January 2019.
The feather in her cap will help Germany to attain a bloodless coup, laughing all the way to the bank to deposit the £39 billion Sterling, that would help them buy up the rest of the European nations, to form the invincible United States of Europe with its own area forces to awe China, Russia and possibly the USA, too. We should be afraid, really afraid! Instead of a thousand rules and regulations a year, we could expect twice that number, one of which could lead to each of the 64 million British people issued with a number tattooed on our forearm to work for our crust of bread, no matter a pensioner or working-age delinquent. It happened in 1939; 2039 is fast approaching!
Being 80 years old, I shall not be here to see the situation as it unfolds, but if all you 'Brits" like that idea, sit back and let it roll all over you. Theresa May will continue her good relationship with the Eurocrats, with or without a Brexit Secretary to aid her. In fact, she needs no other MPs to hurdle headlong into the perpetual vassal state designed by Michel Barnier and his cohorts.
“The Protocol is explicit in the legal text that it is intended to be a temporary arrangement. The Withdrawal Agreement establishes a binding obligation on both the UK and the EU to use their best endeavours to agree a future relationship which would supersede the backstop by December 2020”.
“an obligation ‘to use best endeavours to agree’ could [not] be enforced by arbitration. An obligation on two parties to agree with each other is not justiciable because it is not possible for a judge or arbitrator to pin the blame on one party or the other if they cannot reach an agreement. The EU could carry on proposing terms which are unacceptable to the UK and/or spin out these complicated negotiations for years without it being possible to demonstrate that the EU is in breach of any obligation of best endeavours”.
“This agreement confirms that as we leave the EU the days of sending vast payments to the EU are coming to an end. The financial settlement reflects a fair settlement of our rights and obligations as a departing member of the EU. It is estimated to be much lower than some of the estimates we heard – as high as £100bn and it is agreed in the spirit of our future relationship”.
“the draft withdrawal agreement will prevent us from signing free trade deals with third-party countries – again, unless the EU agrees its own free trade deal with us, which releases us from any backstop obligations. Forget deals with the US, China, and India”.
“The text of the Political Declaration on our Future Relationship makes clear that… the UK can develop our independent trade policy. Many of our partners [such as the US and Australia]…have said publicly that they look forward to signing trade agreements with us”.
“The ‘deal’ surrenders British national security by subordinating UK defence forces to Military EU control”.
“The deal provides a flexible framework for us to work with the EU on foreign policy and defence, including in times of crisis. It gives us an option to co-operate in these areas. It does not create an obligation to do so”.
“Theresa May has signed up the UK to EU defence institutions meaning continued vast annual payments to Brussels, giving away control over major aspects of defence and foreign policy and all this has the power to undermine NATO”.
Thursday, 29 June 2017
The Sunday Times on 18th June, 2017, David Smith (Economic Outlook) wrote :
"Austerity has further to run..." as he extolled Philip Hmmond's good fortune in continuing as chancellor. But 51.9% of us who voted to leave the EU are dreading his softer Brexit approach as it will drag out the negotiations, meaning more austerity.
The EU took nine years to negotiate a trade agreement with Canada; how long will it take to unravel
Britain's trade with just a few EU nations? Will our health service hold out that long? Will nurses, school-leavers or young graduate workers survive two further years of 1% pay rises against 2.9% inflation? How would the next generation of pensioners cope once their parents' savings invested in family homes get absorbed into hospital payments?
We urgently need to get out of the EU to allow those who wish to trade outside it to commence, and to stop any more EU payments so we can fund our education, health and welfare services.
Jean Romsey