EU leadership

Seems that there is no end to how stupid the EU ( leaders ) are. The use of the word leader is an absolute abuse of the term. The brain boxes of Brussells who are so obsessed and against migration from Syria have found a Blackadder type of solution. Let Turkey in with 80 million population to stop the flow of immigration from Syria a country with 8 million? First I don't think immigration from that war torn country is a major problem and second the ' move ' if we accept what the EU is worried about will produce the opposite affect? 80 million Turks will have an automatic right to move to EU countries and second those who seek asylum will just walk into Turkey to start with then move to the EU. So why don't the idiots in Brussell simply accept and support Syrian refugees who clearly need help?? Fucking do it idiots!

Nick Venedi

Why Jeremy Corbin?

i used to attend and chair meetings where J Corbin would come and give monthly reports. He did this as he is a Unison sponsored MP. He is a descent and well meaning guy but I always thought that his long reports were usually boring and sometimes irrelevant. People, however, like him because he is not a sleazy career politician like many in the Labour Party.

So what do I think of the Corbin phenomenon as someone who knew him before all the halabaloo? I think that he is unelectable because what wins elections in this country is closely linked with how spin doctors present someone and there is no chance in hell for Mr and Mrs middle of the road voting for Corbin. Labour want to stay in opposition for at least 6 years and Jeremy is doing a good job for them. Sad but true!

Nick Venedi

Vote NO in the EU referendum

There is a great danger that the government will spend lots of money on spin doctors to twist the facts and get people in this country to vote to stay because they will be scared. The truth is the EU as it stands is an ineffective and incompetent green elephant not capable of making decisions. It is simply an area of economic activity that makes it easier for industrialists to make more money at our expense. I was a fierce supporter of a union but the South European financial crisis has shown me and many others that the EU is about German Hegemony. Vote to stay in if you want the Germans to dictate policy and impose regulations.

European Unity is a great idea but we are not ready yet. We are not, to start with able to communicate in the same language and until we all speak fluent German a union will not work!

Those who say Britain will not survive on our own should look at Norway and Switzerland. It's important that we campaign for a NO vote on the lines argued by Owen Jones and other progressive forces! Get the fuck out!

Nick Venedi

Fitness

Get fit summer 2015

its not just about genetics. You can feel good and look better by taking a number of life changing steps. Here is how to start:

Know your body and know how far you can take any effort.
Reduce the amount of red meat you eat by at least 80%
Water, water, water. Your daily fluid intake must be dominated by water. 80% of what you drink must be water.

More hints soon.

Nick Venedi

Merkel the turtle?

It's now obvious that Berlin does not want the Greek rebellion to succeed and fears that if Tsipras wins then Podemos in Spain might form a government in Spain with similar demands. The problem with Merkels approach is that she is allowing her dislike of the unruly Greeks take over the part of her brain that should be making rational decisions. Herself and the others in the euro clique will be held responsible for blowing up Europe for the third time in less than 100 years? Did we actually defeat the extremists of the 1st and second world wars...

Nick Venedi

Writers

critical of shows like x Factor and Britain has no talent in the past but it would appear that the method of show casing people's talents using those avenues may be the only way to help aspiring writers get a break? There is a lot of talent out there and very few opportunities for those who have something to offer get the exposure and the break they need so if Simon Cowel is reading this whilst having his breakfast in the greasy spoon he might want to think about it?

Nick Venedi

Greek national youth team European champions

well done to the national Greek youth team who won the European championship in basketball! Well done the new European champions we are all proud!

Nick Venedi

Alexis Tsipras

I don't like his politics I never thought he understood how the game is played but right now he is showing strong elements of leadership and strength of personality that the other clowns do not have it therefore makes sense to support him and his efforts to push the reforms needed for the country I just hope he can be trusted!

Nick Venedi 

Get fit summer 2015

its not just about genetics. You can feel good and look better by taking a number of life changing steps. Here is how to start:

Know your body and know how far you can take any effort.
Reduce the amount of red meat you eat by at least 80%
Water, water, water. Your daily fluid intake must be dominated by water. 80% of what you drink must be water.

More hints tomorrow.

United Europe fails.

The United Europe myself and others wanted is one of true equality with common aspirations and descent aims. A Union where wars between us is a thing of the past. The EU is just a club for global industrialists who want cheap labour to increase their profits. The Euro crisis which involves the Greek, Spanish and Portugese economies has shown that the project is too premature. You can not have political and economic intergration without fiscal union. It's all gone very wrong. I will, unfortunately, be campaigning for the UK to leave the EU in the referendum and that makes me very sad...

Nick Venedi

No to the EU

I have always been a Euro Federalist. The basic principles for European integration are based on the desire to be united and avoid constant wars between nations. But what we have today is a controlling beast that has totally violated the fundamental aims of a United Europe. We now have the northern states trying to impose their hegemony over those in the South. This will never work and the UK was right to avoid staying out of the Euro.

The argument that the UK will lose out by not staying in the EU is total nonsense. We can have a treaty with the EU similar to the one the Swiss and Norway have. The EU needs the UK more than we need them. If people want to be told what to do and how to do it by Berlin then vote yes if you don't then vote NO!

Nick Venedi

Need for new writers initiative

I have been openly critical of shows like x Factor and Britain has no talent in the past but it would appear that the method of show casing people's talents using those avenues may be the only way to help aspiring writers get a break? There is a lot of talent out there and very few opportunities for those who have something to offer get the exposure and the break they need so if Simon Cowel is reading this whilst having his breakfast in the greasy spoon he might want to think about it?

Nick Venedi

New members of Greek cabinet

PM of Greece Alexis Tskipras appoints new members of his cabinet. Let's hope it works..

On writers

I have been openly critical of shows like x Factor and Britain has no talent in the past but it would appear that the method of show casing people's talents using those avenues may be the only way to help aspiring writers get a break? There is a lot of talent out there and very few opportunities for those who have something to offer get the exposure and the break they need so if Simon Cowel is reading this whilst having his breakfast in the greasy spoon he might want to think about it?

Nick Venedi

German standing in Europe

No country deserves the title of European leader when it's politicians unleash disrespectful attacks against elected leaders of other European nations. I admired Merkel in the past for many reasons but her recent handling of the 'Greek' crisis has left many of us shocked. Merkel has destroyed the good reputation of Germany in the space of 4 weeks. Many of us are appalled and disappointed. Title of EU leader does not belong to Germany. France acted with reason and honour!
Nick Venedi

German finance minister to resign over Greece?

German press reports that WS German Finance Minister may resign over his recent handling of the Greek financial crisis and specifically over his negative and disrespectful outbursts.

Nick Venedi

Did the Germans get it wrong?

If Greece leaves the Euro others will follow. Podemos made significant gains at the recent Spanish local elections ahead of the national poll in November a clear indication that Spain is about to follow the Greek example.

Whilst the Germans are going on about the Greek crisis and keep very quite ( to calm the markets ) about the situation in Spain the reality is it's Berlin that has got it all wrong and a Geekxit will actually mean the fall of the empire of Berlin. They are the ones that should fear what happens next.

Nick Venedi

MPs Pay

I don't know how they manage to do it but they keep bringing the issue about increasing MPs pay back every year. Only this time they seem to have managed to convince the media that they deserve an 11% pay rise?

 I will keep the emotions out of this but I am not aware of any public sector Job Evaluation Scheme ( I am an expert on the Single Status Scheme ) that would give an MP more than £45,000 a year. I challenge the body looking at this matter to come up with how they decided that someone who simply could advocate on behalf of a constituent would attract £80,000? totaly ridiculous. But if they produce a scheme that can justify this then I want to use it to get nurses a pay rise in which case they will be on 90K Will someone challenge them?  Or use the same formula ( if there is one..) to pay Trade Union reps the same amount! The argument that it would attract better people if the pay was higher is a ridiculous one. It will attract more opportunist career politicians like Milliband!! No Way!!

Nick Venedi


http://lawatwork.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/mps-pay_12.html

http://lawatwork.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/mps-pay.html

What if Grexit happens?

Glad that the responsible part of the German press have made it clear that if Greece was forced to leave the euro the consequences would bring disaster to Europe,for Greece and indeed for Germany. It wouldn't be long before we would regret the day. Far more is at stake than just a few billion euros -- which are most likely already lost, anyway.

A Grexit would mark the end to the process of European integration; the euro would be destabilized as a currency; the EU would be geopolitically undermined.

Nick Venedi

Greek crisis

The modern Greek state needs to come to terms with a number of realities.

Need to restructure the entire political system and remove corrupt practices where these are.
Remove traditional practices of using public jobs as a way to reward supporters.
Reform the entire tax system ensuring that taxes are collected.
A huge cultural revolution needed to change attitude and the way citizens see the state.
Accept that if they want to be in the EU and the idiotic euro currency they have to play the game within existing rules.
Come to terms with the fact that at present the EU is a club which exists to support German economic expansion.. They may have lost the war but they won the economic battle.
The most important factor in all of this for me is the need for a cultural revolution! The whole temperament needs re shaping Greece needs it own Kemal Ataturk. And if the Greeks don't then they should try forming a union of Orthodox states with Serbian and Montenegro and trade with Russia and China. I don't think they want this so they should get on with it and come with terms with reality!

Nick Venedi

Greece. Did we just witness a coup?

it was in April 1967 when the CIA decided that the newly elected Socialist government was not acceptable so they encouraged the colonels to stage a military take over. That was on the 21 April 1967. The dictatorship lasted until the juntas fall on 15 July 1974 when Turkish troops invaded Cyprus ( still there ) US policy was to actively support Israel so they could not afford a democratically elected government in Greece that wanted to stay neutral.

That was in 1967 so how comes that the EU now decides which government manages the affairs of Greece. We all herd the racist stereotypes coming out from Berlin and Finland. Some even think it's fine to make racist statements like the beware of Greeks slogan. I don't agree with the ultra left Syriza government in Greece but will defend their right to govern if they are elected and of course they were. Syriza politicians are ultra left wankers with little politics who live in a world of fantasy they would turn Greece into another Albania if they were left to their stupid policies but the Germans have no right to personalise the conflict that was created between Varoufakis Tsipras and the sausage eating German Finance minister and force Greece to the point of total humiliation. It is up to Greek voters to throw out the incompetent Syriza government and not the bloody Germans. What Berlin managed to do is no different to what the CIA did in 1967. History will condemn Merkel.

Nick Venedi

Water aid

i support this wonderful charity which was set up many years ago and has made major progress towards the goal of ensuring that every village in Africa and every where else in the world has a means through which people and children have easy access to clean water. This is a fantastic initiative that should be supported by anyone who can donate. And it is so true that the price you pay each week to buy things that you may not need like chocolate or 3 pints of beer can best be spend donating to this wonderful charity. Why should a 6 year old girl have to walk 5 miles a day to carry a large can of water? Please help.

Nick Venedi

Varoufakis buggers off on holiday

never stops to amaze me how some on the 'Ultra left' behave when dealing with situations they don't agree with and whilst I myself consider my self to be on the sensible wing of left politics I was shocked with ex Finance ministers decision to fuck off on holidays to his exclusive villa on the Aegean rather than attend the crucial Parliamentary all night meeting last night at the Vouli. This shows his true colours and I hope the ' Essex University ' graduate is never seen again.

Nick Venedi

Can cliques be challenged?

I have gone through life campaigning and fighting against injustice where I see it. That is indeed why I parked my career in the middle of the Trade Union movement car park. I hate injustice and the formation of controlling cliques irritates me to the extreme. So I advocate caution but at the same time I insist that where we see injustice and the control of small collectives these should always be challenged.

Nick Venedi

Where next for the Greek rebellion?

The day after the night before and all seems well in Athens. The decision taken by Varoufakis to resign was a positive move and one that makes Yannis gives Varoufakis dignity. He has put the interest of his country above poltical gain, so well done.

No one knows whether the so called Europeans will now deal with the aftermath and how but if they don't then it will be because they underestimate the power of what happened in Greece yesterday. The Greeks have shown the world on many occassions what the alternative way is and the referendum events this weekend could be one sunch history changing incident.. think about it..

nick venedi

Merkel risks on Greece

It's now obvious that Berlin does not want the Greek rebellion to succeed and fears that if Tsipras wins then Podemos in Spain might form a government in Spain with similar demands. The problem with Merkels approach is that she is allowing her dislike of the unruly Greeks take over the part of her brain that should be making rational decisions. Herself and the others in the euro clique will be held responsible for blowing up Europe for the third time in less than 100 years? Did we actually defeat the extremists of the 1st and second world wars...

Nick Venedi

Greece in the euro

greece was the 10th country to join the EEC in the early 80's and followed Britain, Spain and Portugal arrived years later. The Euro project wanted the Greeks in from the early start but what went wrong was the relationship between the country and the single currency. Today we have a left wing government incapable of understanding the reality of what is happening with an Essex university graduate as it finance minister who lives in a world of fantasy.

I will declare my support for PASOK in advance for the avoidance of any misunderstandings. The fundamental problem with a country like Greece comes from the actions taken by previous governments in the last 20 years. They borrowed large amounts of money to increase the public sector. This allowed them to have 15% of the population working for government and attracted more votes. They forgot that at some stage the state would have to pay back the loans. The shit has now hit the what's it and they are all running around blaming everyone else. Huge reforms need to be imposed to ensure that the economy recovers and that a sensible tax system similar to PAYE is brought it. It will be painful but it needs to be done. The solution to the problem is to recognise that a populist government will not be able to resolve long term structural problems. There should be a new general election so that the people understand what the real choices are...

Nick Venedi

New writers initiative

I have been openly critical of shows like x Factor and Britain has no talent in the past but it would appear that the method of show casing people's talents using those avenues may be the only way to help aspiring writers get a break? There is a lot of talent out there and very few opportunities for those who have something to offer get the exposure and the break they need so if Simon Cowel is reading this whilst having his breakfast in the greasy spoon he might want to think about it?

Nick Venedi

Tigmoo

Tigmoo appears to be a blog roll initiative for those involved in the TU movement. The 'controllers' advertise it as a site where anyone with TU interests can ' get involved' so I did in 2010 and my blog was listed until recently.

Nick Venedi

Boris Johnson

What? Just been told I have the same birthday as Boris Johnson? Sufficient to say that the similarities end there? Might have a similar sense of humour as neither of us takes life seriously but I am better looking than him any time! Lol

Happy birthday Boris?

Nick Venedi

Varoufakis gets his wish

Finance Minister of Greece and Essex Uni graduate Yiannis Varoufakis gets his priorities right and he will be appearing in next Thursday's Bbc Question Time! In the meantime the country is about to collapse! His undergraduate type of policies may appeal to some but not in serious forums where adult behaviour is needed.

Nick Venedi

Screenwriting Festival 2015

The next Screenwriting Festival will be held in October 2015 the three day event is a must for all aspiring screenwriters. An excellent opportunity to see and be seen. There are other pre festival events being held just before the festival that might be of interest.

http://www.londonscreenwritersfestival.com/whats-on/sessions/speed-pitching

Nick Venedi

Promoting creative writers

It amazes me how many people I know who  are able to write creatively. More amazing though is that most of these people will never be encouraged to develop their skills and talents. That is a great loss to the arts in general.

Aspiring writers have to be put through many obstacles when trying to break through and it often looks like the 'system' is there to stop them. ITV and Channel 4, for example would only accept a script submission if it comes from an established agency or from a production company that they already work with! This is somewhat regressive in my opinion and they should at least hold annual competitions like the BBC does to allow those who have talent to show case what they have. The BBC for example, use the excellent 'Writers room' concept where a lot of info on how to have a go is given out with two or three windows of opportunity each year.

There is also the Screenwiting festival held at Regents Park in October but the £350 delegate fee means that this is a restricted opportunity?

And of course the best advice to give out is to follow what they say on the Easter islands, which is try and try and try again. It would help though if the 'controlling elite' remember what writing is about and remember that new talent should be encouraged and promoted not supressed!

Nick Venedi

Supporting motion 106 on Branch Funding

I support motion 106 ( reproduced below ) going to Unison conference this June 2015. As the Treasurer of one of the largest branches in London Unison I support the aims of the motion. Much more needs to be done to ensure that the allocation of resources moves from the centre to local Branch level. The current formula is unfair if not ridiculous and benefits the centre at the expense of local activity!


Nick Venedi

Motion 106

Motion 106 on the agenda for UNISON National Delegate Conference, which takes place in Glasgow from Tuesday 16 to Friday 19 June 2015, is the only motion Conference can debate on branch funding.

This is what it says;

Conference notes that a review of branch funding in UNISON has been ongoing since 2011. Conference accepts that branch funding is a complex and controversial topic. However we believe that it is self-evident that, in the years since the current branch funding regime was adopted at National Delegate Conference 2001 there have been substantial changes in the environment in which UNISON operates, and that these have generally increased demands at branch level.

The key changes include;
• Reduced significance of national collective bargaining with an increase in local bargaining;
• The fragmentation of public services leading to almost all branches becoming multi-employer branches;
• Devolution of administrative processes within the Union to branches (e.g. the RMS).

In the opinion of Conference it is clear that there is a general need to devolve UNISON resources to the level at which they can best assist the Union to meet the interests of our members. Conference calls on the NEC to continue with the review of branch resources and report back to conference in 2016 and in so doing to recognise that significant devolution of the Union’s resources to its branches is required. In particular, Conference anticipates that the overall proportion of the Union’s resources allocated to branches will increase significantly over time under a future branch funding regime.

Jon of the Rogers re elected

Great news for all. Jon of the Rogers otherwise known as Jon of the Rogers has, once again, been re elected to the Unison NEC. He is great at irriating the great and the mighty and that's one good reason to vote for the old chap. Well done mate!

Nick Venedi

Back soon

Back soon

Nick Venedi

MPs Pay

I don't know how they manage to do it but they keep bringing the issue about increasing MPs pay back every year. Only this time they seem to have managed to convince the media that they deserve an 11% pay rise?

 I will keep the emotions out of this but I am not aware of any public sector Job Evaluation Scheme ( I am an expert on the Single Status Scheme ) that would give an MP more than £45,000 a year. I challenge the body looking at this matter to come up with how they decided that someone who simply could advocate on behalf of a constituent would attract £80,000? totaly ridiculous. But if they produce a scheme that can justify this then I want to use it to get nurses a pay rise in which case they will be on 90K Will someone challenge them?  Or use the same formula ( if there is one..) to pay Trade Union reps the same amount! The argument that it would attract better people if the pay was higher is a ridiculous one. It will attract more opportunist career politicians like Milliband!! No Way!!

Nick Venedi


http://lawatwork.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/mps-pay_12.html

http://lawatwork.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/mps-pay.html

Vote NO in the EU Referendum

I have always been a Euro Federalist. The basic principles for European integration are based on the desire to be united and avoid constant wars between nations. But what we have today is a controlling beast that has totally violated the fundamental aims of a United Europe. We now have the northern states trying to impose their hegemony over those in the South. This will never work and the UK was right to avoid staying out of the Euro.

The argument that the UK will lose out by not staying in the EU is total nonsense. We can have a treaty with the EU similar to the one the Swiss and Norway have. The EU needs the UK more than we need them. If people want to be told what to do and how to do it by Berlin then vote yes if you don't then vote NO!

Nick Venedi

Greek government not prepared to surender..

The persistence of the Tsipras government has surprised everyone. The new government has stuck to the lines they drew early on and have not deviated much.

I am in two minds as to whether Greece is in a position to dectate terms to the greedy bankers who are only interested in getting back their money and making profits on the 6% interest they have imposed. I think that the latest extension of deadlines ( the 3rd so far since January ) shows that the EU is also in two minds on how to play this. The reality is that a collapse of the Greek economy and the rise of Podemos in Spain will create a huge psychological blow to those running the EU project and it will bring the Euro down! So think again guys!

Nick Venedi

Big Brother 2015

Not that I watch Big Brother but the decision the producers made to remove a participant last night who was harrassing a fellow contestant was the right one.

There should be zero tolerance towards anyone who thinks its funny to persist and bully someone else for their own amuzment. The man who was removed ( described as a gay model?? no idea why ) was exposing himself to a guy who at 19 should have been left alone. Good that Big Brother has taken action but they need to examine how they manipulate the situations and encourage this behaviour?

Nick Venedi

It's not the Greek financial crisis but a crisis for Berlin

If Greece leaves the Euro others will follow. Podemos made significant gains at the recent Spanish local elections ahead of the national poll in November a clear indication that Spain is about to follow the Greek example.

Whilst the Germans are going on about the Greek crisis and keep very quite ( to calm the markets ) about the situation in Spain the reality is it's Berlin that has got it all wrong and a Geekxit will actually mean the fall of the empire of Berlin. They are the ones that should fear what happens next.

Nick Venedi

United States of Europe fails..

The United Europe myself and others wanted is one of true equality with common aspirations and descent aims. A Union where wars between us is a thing of the past. The EU is just a club for global industrialists who want cheap labour to increase their profits. The Euro crisis which involves the Greek, Spanish and Portugese economies has shown that the project is too premature. You can not have political and economic intergration without fiscal union. It's all gone very wrong. I will, unfortunately, be campaigning for the UK to leave the EU in the referendum and that makes me very sad...

Nick Venedi

Tessa Jowell 4 London Mayor

Tessa Jowell gets my vote anytime. She has been an excellent MP she does not believe in private education for her own and is not married to Ed Balls. Tessa is also well known and did a lot around the London Olympics. As a Labour party member I will be voting for her!

Nick Venedi

What is the Greek financial crisis about?

Picture this. Alabama fucks their finances up but as they are part of the United States Union the Federal machine imposes severe austerity measures on that state which include having reduced pension benefits, lower minimum wage and no protection and more soup kitchens! Well yes it will never happen!

If Berlin desires a full economic and political union then they can not afford to let the Greeks leave the union. The pshycological damage that would create will fuck the markets up and given that the whole of the United States of Europe is about licking the markets asshole Greexit will not happen. The problem arises when the 'clever Greeks' know this and have elected a government which opposes strict austerity measures. If Merket and her sausage eating over weight Ministers want to be the ones that bring the Euro project down then let them go ahead. Perhaps they should read the Spanish press and take into account the victories Podemos made in the recent local elections?

Nick Venedi

What's Alexis Tsipras Peron doing then in the land of Greece?

Well Tsipras aka Peron has certainly managed to excite the left in Britain some think he is a working class hero who is resisting austerity. He has certainly taken a strong stance against the bullies in Euro land and has surprised the fat sausage brigade in Berlin with his persistence but at the same time he is now negotiating measures that will mean Syrizas red lines will be crossed. I am not sure he has much of a choice and as his only option would be to sell what the country has ( a strategic position in the Med ) to the Russians that move would change the balance of power in the region so drastically he would be risking another Balkans war and that isn't in any ones interest?

Nick Venedi

Chuka Umunna. Why did he pull out after less than 2 days?

I knew Chuka from the days when I was a member of the Streatham Labour GC Keith HIll was the MP at the time. I don't think Chuka was too different to many others. I also think that given the collection of career politicians within the party at least Chuka had a real job in the real world.

So why did he pull out less than 2 days after he declared. First of all he is young enough to stand for it again ( he is 36 ) and second he did not anticipate ( wrongly ) that everything he said and had done would be heavily scrutinised. It was obvious from remarks he made to the press before that he is not a working class hero and his love of being on club invitation lists and remarks he made about some clubbers did not do him any favors, but I think his love of himself and his obsession with self promotion was too obvious. It is said, for example, that he created this rumour that he was compared to Obama. Those I know from the Streatham constituency ( and I know many ) did not ever say this so if it is true and he did his own spinning he got it all wrong and the reaction to people finding out would have damaged him. Would he make a good leader? I am afraid no he would not!

Nick Venedi

Where did 2 kitchens Ed go wrong?

Well Ed Milliband was never right from the start. He never had that blah blah factor needed to make it, he didn't look right and kept changing direction. As for winning over the vote from Maurice and Doris who made up their minds 10 minutes before making their decisions to vote he never understood that it was the 30% of floating voters he needed to win over. And no the answer isn't to bring Mandelson back in he was there at the right time and Labour won those elections because Maurice and Doris were fed up with the Tory party not because Labour was so brilliant. Keep Mandelson away and get some good PR firm to bury any memories we have of two kitchens Ed! He was a disaster.

nick venedi

Where did Labour go wrong?

The Labour party lost the election because they ignored what the floating voters think of those in leadership positions. So ignoring the fact that Doris and Mauriece who can't decide who to vote for until 10 minutes before they cast their vote is a huge mistake. They just didn't like Ed Balls, Ed Milliband or D Alexander, they simply do not look the part and they smell of career politician. One of them said to me 'would you trust Milliband in a room with Putin?' I can see his point..

Hopefully we will come to our senses and vote Y Cooper in as the new leader otherwise we are destined to be in opposition for another 10 years! And keep that vile person Mandelson out of the way!!
Nick Venedi

Y Cooper 4 Leader

At last a sensible Labour MP is standing for the leadership position. She will be the right choice but I get the feeling that the Labour party 'strategists' prefer to stay in opposition for 10 years so it could be that they will encourage and promote no hopers like Burnham or Umunna. My vote will def be going to Y Cooper she is fresh, dynamic and will appeal to the electorate and not just those in London! Shame she is married to that fat out of shape man but hey a good PR firm can lose him in the backround! And another thing keep that moron Mandelson out of the way please!!

Nick Venedi

Labour party determined not to be in government..

It is obvious to most that the Labour party is determined not to be in government for the next 10 years so those who behind the scenes plan the 'strategy' are encouraging people who will never have the support of those Labour need to persuade to win an election stand for the leadership contest. So you have Burnham, Umuna and the other one ( can't remember her name) declaring their interest. Its obvious the only one that might appeal is Y Cooper she is dynamic and looks good on tv and if she agreed to divorce that fat man husband ( he is a def liability!) of hers then she will have a bright future!

nick venedi

Ed Milliband worst than Michael Foot..

Well everyone was telling the 'top' people in the Labour party that they had a shit team which did not appeal to the voters. Ed Milliband and Ed Balls were a totally unattractive team. We were all saying this but they did not listen so we lost another opportunity to stop the austerity measures. To make matters worst we now have to chose from another selection of idiots like Burnham or Umuna. What a disaster! I am just hoping that Y Cooper stands for the leadership position and gets it otherwise some of us will be jumping ship! Millibands performance was worst than Michael Foots and that's saying something! Only good thing out of the election result was the removal of Balls and Douglas Alexander.

nick venedi

Syriza chaos

My opposition to getting Syriza elected in Greece is well documented on this page. I warned of the completely unprofessional approach the many different left wing strands within that very newly formed collective would bring and unfortunately the final product is chaos.

Those who claim that Greece should be paid by the Germans for the destruction the Nazis created during the last war have a point but they went the wrong way with proving it.

The only way out of the mess now is for a government of national unity between PASOK and ND to take over otherwise the country will collapse and its enemies will surely take advantage of this weakness? Need I say more?

Nick Venedi

Greece and the Euro, the saga goes on.

Seems that the German Finance Minister has been told to change the tone he is using when referring to the crisis around the Euro and Greece as his last statement says that Grexit from the Euro is out of the question and that Greece belongs to the Euro? I thought he had nothing more to say when he got angry last week but hey that was last week! He should stick to eating sausages for breakfast and calm down.

The reality on the ground in Greece is that people are not prepared to see young children having to stand in line outside soup kitches in Athens or Thesaloniki so that the Euro can be saved. The project was imposed on the 17 too soon without fiscal union and that was a huge mistake. The ECB should either buy the Spanish and Greek economies out or take the risk!

Nick Venedi

Western Unity and Cyprus

The US and the West are clearly annoyed that the President of Cyprus visited Russia last week and signed a few agreements with them. The US has complaint that this displays a high degree of disunity given Russias involvement with Ukraine. They forget to feel as emotional about Turkish military ships molesting the oil exploration efforts on Cyprus territory and completely forget to remember that Turkey has invaded and illegally occupies 37% of Cyprus and EU territory? Try sorting that out first?

Nick Venedi

Yiannis Varoufakis the rebel economist?

Essex University graduate and now Finance Minister of Greece Yiannis Varoufakis has a certain charm about him. He certainly dresses and looks better than Anne Widicombe or the gorgeous fashion guru Malcolm Rithkin and isn't worried about the sausage eating Euro group brigade of pen pushers.

The recent events involving the so called confrontation between the Euro group Finance Ministers and Greece was nothing other than a predictable stage managed show. Every one knew that Greece would get the 4 month extension and that Tsipras Peron would do a 300 degree u turn and give in to some form of austerity. Both sides claim victory. The only winner here ( if I can use that term) is Yiannis Varoufakis who has increased his popularity and appeal to the youth of Greece and many in the rest of Southern Europe. Now whether what's happening in Greece right now can be seen as a rebelion or not remains to be seen. Varoufakis has certainly been able to stop reducing pensions and will be able to buy more time and stop further redundancies in the public sector...

nick venedi

MPs pay

The question of whether MP's are paid enough or not keeps coming up and some mysterious ways are used to justify why they should be given more. Its obvious that every time there is a scandal about MP's behaviour some come up to say that they would not behave that way if they were paid more? I completely disagree with that.

Most credible job evaluation schemes take into account knowledge and skills needed to to the job. An MP does not need any knowledge or skills apart from using the right key words and saying things that people want to hear. This attracts career politicians who are experts in nothing other than speech making.

Using the Single Status Scheme which came out of the 1990 Whitley Council scheme an MP would score enough points to be placed on a grade equivalant to £32,000 ( approximately) So I have no bloody idea why there is constant debate about not paying them enough? And at the end of the day I don't want some expert in hot air production representing me thank you very much! The figure of £32,000 is enough and it will do!


nick venedi

Regulating the training providing industry

I was rather surprised to find out that training providers are not independently assessed and do not have to comply with nationally set standards.

I know that Britain and Europe as a whole is often seen as having too many regulations but given the importance training could have on any individual who wishes to improve their employability then it is crucial that clear standards and a method of monitoring what these 'private instituations' do are agreed and an independent body keeps an eye on what these providers do and how they deliver the training? As it stands anyone can come up with some plan make any claims they like and then charge money ( often not refundable) for delivering a so called service.. this can't be right!

nick venedi

Merkel on Tsipras

The European press keeps mentioning the rift between Alexis Tsipras Peron and Angela Merkel. The truth is Tsipras isn't even aware of it. Merkel is surounded by a team of ugly out of shape German Ministers and Merkel has a soft spot for Tsipras. They should both have a date and go out for dinner I am sure they can get over their problems with a romantic get together on the 14 February, after all its only the Euro that's an obstacle to their secret ambitions?

nick venedi

The state of politics

Not sure the choice of title is right. Should read the state of our politicians. They all seem to be people who would not make it in any other profession but they realised that they can put a few words together and say things that people want to hear and hey presto they have a career for life! I just hope that we don't get a major crisis where idiots like Mr Bean look alike Milliband and Halloumi face Ed Balls have to make major decisions because if we find ourselves in that position we will all be brown fucking bread!! Stop supporting career politicians, kick them all out!

nick venedi

Time to resist.. Spain and Greece unite!

Always had a dream of a natural alliance between states in the South of Europe. Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal have too many similarities and share common histories. I  predicted that the four states would at some point realise that they can fight against the domination by the northern states. And its happening today! Podemos is already on the way of winning the November election in Spain and of course the Greeks have already over thrown the nonsense imposed by the Germans and Dutch. Fuck them all I say and lets have a new order in Europe. Merkel and co are just hoping to make a name for themselves thinking that history will come back and call them 'strong' when in fact they are too stupid to see the wood from the trees! Get rid of them!


nick venedi

Tsipras Peron and Greece

Not a friend of Alexis Tsipras Peron or his decision to form a government with an anti immigration party but he is right about the fact that the austerity measures imposed on the population by Berlin have not worked. When Greece went into crisis the country had a national debt equivalant to 107% of GDP five years after the 'measures' the deficit is 175% of GDP. It does not help that the financiers are making Greece pay higher interest rates than Spain or Ireland? Why is that? I don't think Berlin understands that the more they provoke the Greeks the less they will get from them? Severe Austerity does not work!

Nick Venedi

Tsipras Peron, the day after the night before..

So Tsipras Peron promised to re hire 10,000 new civil servants before the election and will refuse to pay back any of the money borrowed from ECB and the IMF. All sounds splendid. He is now looking at forming a coalition with a small anti immigrant party?

Tsipras Peron will most probably get his wish of turning Greece into the Euro version of Argentina. I hope his chosen sonng will be 'don't cry for me Hellinida..'

People were of course attracted to the rhetoric he used he promised everything that the people wanted but did not tell them how it can all be achieved? The proof of this spanachopitta ( version of Greek pudding) is in the eating I am afraid... I am just hoping that I am wrong about him.

Nick Venedi

Alexis Tsipras Peron

Well looks like the Greek election taking place in Greece today will give Syriza more seats than they currently have making them the biggest party but with no overall majority. They will need another party to go into partnership with them if they are to form a government. Not many other parties are happy with Alexis Peron..

The tratedy with what's happening in Greece today is that Tsipras Peron has chosen to tell people who are feeling desparate because of the austerity what they want to hear. Syriza have split the traditional vote of the left and have destroyed PASOK. Tsipras Peron wants to turn Greece into Argentina but has not explained to the people what that will actually mean?

Don't cry for me Hellinida.....


nick venedi

On Tribunal fees

http://www.hrmagazine.co.uk/comments


nick venedi

Greece and the Euro

A Greek exit from the euro zone would be an “extremely dangerous” move for the country and a danger for the rest of Europe as well, European Central Bank policymaker Ewald Nowotny said.
Greek leftist opposition party Syriza holds a steady lead over ruling conservatives with little over a week of campaigning left for Prime Antonis Samaras to try to close the gap before a snap election on Jan 25. It will, however, be a disastour if Tsipras wins given his statements to turn Greece into Argentina!! The only good result would be for socialist PASOK to win ( very unlikely..)


nick venedi

Nick Venedi On Cyprus

Cyprus and NATO

Astonishing and amazing how two NATO states, Greece and Turkey,  have not been able to resolve the conflict they have and by doing so allowing part of Cyprus/EU territory to remain under occupation for 40 years. On the other hand Turkish President Erdogan marches on the streets of Paris in defence of freedom of speech ( In France at least ) but puts in prison 22 Turkish journalists for criticising him?? What a fucked up world we live in...

 

 

 

nick venedi

Can Labour win?

Not long before the next general election. This puts me in a rather difficult position. I have been a Labour party activists since my under graduate days, but newish Labour with morons like Milliband, Bernham, Umuna and the ever dreadful and dull Balls have made me question why the fuck I am following this party. On the other hand my local MP, Steve Reed, is excellent and since I have known him before he became an MP I also know he is genuine. So I am left in the difficult position of having to vote for an excellent local MP and that will, indirectly, get the assholes like ' I love myself Umuna' and ' I am really a fat moron Balls', elected into government! What an appauling situation to be in!!




nick venedi

MP's pay

MP's paid too much!

People should not be encouraged into politics because they see it as an alternative to a career in a real profession. They should be paid in line with public sector employees. Those who know me also know that I am an expert in the Job Evaluation scheme used in the public sector and using the Single Status scheme ( deriving from the Whitley Council version ) an MP will not score enough points to be more than an P02 that means the highest pay for them should not be more that £38,000 so why is Blair and others going on about them being underpaid? Put them on Single Status grades like everyone else!!! I shall start a campaign on this!!

nick venedi