en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/8589332 Comments by Johnbarstow https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/10/we-need-to-talk-about-the-union-an-inside-look-at-the-new-group-of-conservative-mps-fighting-for-britain.html#IDComment1094609279 We need to win hearts and minds. It is imperative that fishing waters are reclaimed as per normal international law. This will benefit all of UK with particular reference to Scotland and NI A program of UK wide infrastructure is necessary such as reinstating the Anglo - Scottish border lines. The scrapping of EVEL is also necessary and will increase Conservative appeal. Scrapping EVEL can also be a means to rebalance away from excesses of devolution. COVID should be managed centrally as it’s a strategic issue. Fri, 16 Oct 2020 13:28:46 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/10/we-need-to-talk-about-the-union-an-inside-look-at-the-new-group-of-conservative-mps-fighting-for-britain.html#IDComment1094609279 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/10/we-need-to-talk-about-the-union-an-inside-look-at-the-new-group-of-conservative-mps-fighting-for-britain.html#IDComment1094609153 No comparison. The UK is a single country - our country. The EU in contrast is an organisation of sovereign governments like NATO and all with their own diplomats and armed forces. Fri, 16 Oct 2020 13:22:31 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/10/we-need-to-talk-about-the-union-an-inside-look-at-the-new-group-of-conservative-mps-fighting-for-britain.html#IDComment1094609153 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/10/we-need-to-talk-about-the-union-an-inside-look-at-the-new-group-of-conservative-mps-fighting-for-britain.html#IDComment1094609108 No comparison with Brexit at all. The EU is an intergovernmental organisation which we joined for a time and left. The UK in contrast is a single country with a single sovereign. The right policies will win hearts and minds. Fri, 16 Oct 2020 13:19:07 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/10/we-need-to-talk-about-the-union-an-inside-look-at-the-new-group-of-conservative-mps-fighting-for-britain.html#IDComment1094609108 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2020/09/daniel-hannan-voters-tend-to-get-some-things-wrong-but-the-big-things-right-so-it-is-with-the-internal-market-bill.html#IDComment1093910901 Well that’s why I think the May deal was good. - a customs union in all but name and gave us best of both worlds. We could have become even more attractive in eyes of inward investors as we would be free to undertake more creative policies and yet be in customs union. But we are where we are. And we must support the integrity of our own county or else the IRA wins - no way. Where they could be compromise is that the EU undertakes to support the integrity of the United Kingdom - the quid pro is that the UK supports the “ever closer union” aspirations of Rome Treaty and undertakes not to obstruct. After all would cost UK nothing as we are outside. Wed, 16 Sep 2020 09:17:06 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2020/09/daniel-hannan-voters-tend-to-get-some-things-wrong-but-the-big-things-right-so-it-is-with-the-internal-market-bill.html#IDComment1093910901 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2020/09/daniel-hannan-voters-tend-to-get-some-things-wrong-but-the-big-things-right-so-it-is-with-the-internal-market-bill.html#IDComment1093910408 I voted remain and as part of my trade union executive supported remain campaign. However is the duty of all sides of the Brexit argument to support HMG in upholding the integrity of the United Kingdom. Any tariffs or restrictions on goods between London and Londonderry is just ridiculous and insufferable. It is high time that we strengthened the integrity of our country such as building that north channel tunnel so that trains of freight and psssengers can board at Belfast direct for likes of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester - and London. Wed, 16 Sep 2020 08:53:54 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2020/09/daniel-hannan-voters-tend-to-get-some-things-wrong-but-the-big-things-right-so-it-is-with-the-internal-market-bill.html#IDComment1093910408 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/09/both-johnson-and-the-rebels-want-a-compromise-on-the-uk-internal-market-bill-so-it-looks-as-though-well-get-one.html#IDComment1093910169 I voted remain, am member of European Movement and have high respect for Monseur Barnier. However the concept of any tariffs or restrictions within the country’s internal trade as between London and Londonderry is just bang out of order. And to say that food supplies could be banned between GB and NI has the darkest of historical connotations. We need this bill without amendment. Can’t ssy fairer then that. Wed, 16 Sep 2020 08:44:38 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/09/both-johnson-and-the-rebels-want-a-compromise-on-the-uk-internal-market-bill-so-it-looks-as-though-well-get-one.html#IDComment1093910169 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2020/09/david-gauke-may-should-lead-the-commons-struggle-against-her-successors-plan-to-break-international-law-if-necessary.html#IDComment1093788457 That’s why I think in many ways the May deal was inadvertently the better option. The back stop was all UK and thus secured integrity of the Union. At same time UK could regain fishing waters and develop more creative policies in other areas. For this reason many thought that we had best of both words. Free of many EU shackles but still within the customs union and hence perhaps even more attractive to business as gateway into Europe. Sat, 12 Sep 2020 16:23:04 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2020/09/david-gauke-may-should-lead-the-commons-struggle-against-her-successors-plan-to-break-international-law-if-necessary.html#IDComment1093788457 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2020/09/david-gauke-may-should-lead-the-commons-struggle-against-her-successors-plan-to-break-international-law-if-necessary.html#IDComment1093785343 We are one country. No need for impediments to internal UK trade. To say that goods from London to Londonderry should be declared is an IRA terrorist agenda. So no way. Either revert to the all UK wide backstop as per Mays’s Deal or just get rid of backstop altogether. Sat, 12 Sep 2020 14:11:58 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2020/09/david-gauke-may-should-lead-the-commons-struggle-against-her-successors-plan-to-break-international-law-if-necessary.html#IDComment1093785343 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/09/is-it-really-worth-breaking-international-law-to-curb-the-role-of-the-european-court.html#IDComment1093670339 I voted remain - no apology. However there is no need for a border down the Irish Sea which compromises the integrity of the United Kingdom. If companies wished to evade the EU continental border are they seriously going to take their goods to NI and thus be quite the opposite direction of continental Europe Wed, 9 Sep 2020 08:51:42 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/09/is-it-really-worth-breaking-international-law-to-curb-the-role-of-the-european-court.html#IDComment1093670339 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2020/09/alexandra-marsanu-working-from-home-and-why-we-need-evolution-not-a-revolution.html#IDComment1093606325 A way to offset the decline of the “Pret a Manger” factor is to stimulate the economy in other areas like allow for more mineral extraction. Builders need more materials. Allow the expansion of Stansted, Gatwick, Heathrow and Manston. And drop the job destroying carbon levy Mon, 7 Sep 2020 08:36:56 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2020/09/alexandra-marsanu-working-from-home-and-why-we-need-evolution-not-a-revolution.html#IDComment1093606325 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2020/09/alexandra-marsanu-working-from-home-and-why-we-need-evolution-not-a-revolution.html#IDComment1093606233 Agreed. The carbon levy needs to be scrapped and dropped like a hot brick. Will be good for London but also play well in Red Wall And Scotland as carbon levy has caused businesses to go bust and has caused problems at Scunthorpe. Mon, 7 Sep 2020 08:33:31 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2020/09/alexandra-marsanu-working-from-home-and-why-we-need-evolution-not-a-revolution.html#IDComment1093606233 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/09/why-the-germans-dont-always-do-it-better.html#IDComment1093513743 The way to offset Brexit is by a strategic relationship with Germany. - More UK involvement in Europe’s security via bigger defence spending and deployments of HH Forces to Germany. Quid pro quo can only mean best of post - Brexit arrangements. A bigger investment in North Sea oil/gas sector would also give Germany an alternative to Russian oil and gas - and from her kindred friend the United Kingdom. Fri, 4 Sep 2020 09:19:15 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/09/why-the-germans-dont-always-do-it-better.html#IDComment1093513743 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/09/the-working-from-home-revolution-is-coming-whether-we-like-it-or-not-conservatives-should-roll-with-it.html#IDComment1093513590 The government can offet this by about removing much of the red tape around mineral construction. More jobs in construction sector. Fri, 4 Sep 2020 09:13:02 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/09/the-working-from-home-revolution-is-coming-whether-we-like-it-or-not-conservatives-should-roll-with-it.html#IDComment1093513590 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2020/09/stephen-booth-with-four-months-left-to-make-a-brexit-deal-state-aid-is-the-major-stumbling-block-for-the-uk-and-eu.html#IDComment1093479379 A modicum of state aid and state support could be deemed a way of diverting voters away from an IRA supporting/break up the Union agenda. Surely that’s the reasons for voting Tory. - the UK nation state, its defence and integrity. Thu, 3 Sep 2020 08:50:33 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2020/09/stephen-booth-with-four-months-left-to-make-a-brexit-deal-state-aid-is-the-major-stumbling-block-for-the-uk-and-eu.html#IDComment1093479379 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2020/08/nicky-morgan-ministers-must-act-swiftly-to-avoid-a-disaster-bailiffs-abusing-vulnerable-people-over-council-tax-arrears.html#IDComment1093478806 Nicky Morgan is quite right. The measures can only enhance the Conservative appeal amongst vulnerable and disadvantaged people. Disraeli would be proud. Thu, 3 Sep 2020 08:27:57 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2020/08/nicky-morgan-ministers-must-act-swiftly-to-avoid-a-disaster-bailiffs-abusing-vulnerable-people-over-council-tax-arrears.html#IDComment1093478806 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2020/08/allan-mallinson-what-is-the-army-for.html#IDComment1093376961 I too live deep in the shires. Defence is very valued. And a vote winner. To treat defence less seriously is vote loser as the Labour Party knows only too well from 1983. Mon, 31 Aug 2020 10:29:56 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2020/08/allan-mallinson-what-is-the-army-for.html#IDComment1093376961 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2020/08/allan-mallinson-what-is-the-army-for.html#IDComment1093376921 I certainly concur with you to an extent. Trump is saying what Obama has been saying Europe needs to do more for its defence. In this context the UK has a major opportunity to up its defence game in Europe’s security. And thus much more chance of securing the best post - Brexit arrangements from grateful continentals. In this context to hold Germany close by close defence ties can yield dividends. Mon, 31 Aug 2020 10:27:38 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2020/08/allan-mallinson-what-is-the-army-for.html#IDComment1093376921 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2020/08/allan-mallinson-what-is-the-army-for.html#IDComment1093371680 Allan Mallinson’s cross - reference between defence and infrastructure is very instructive. A few years ago the Chsnnel Tunnel was tested for the rail transport of tanks. In short the UK needs a plentiful set of military capabilities and decent UK wide infrastructure. Mon, 31 Aug 2020 06:58:42 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2020/08/allan-mallinson-what-is-the-army-for.html#IDComment1093371680 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/08/algorithm-or-no-algorithm-the-uk-needs-houses-fast.html#IDComment1093340363 A win formula will be a latter day version of Macmillan years - more Council stock the UK over. Will broaden profile of Conservatism such as red wall areas. Sun, 30 Aug 2020 10:45:48 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/08/algorithm-or-no-algorithm-the-uk-needs-houses-fast.html#IDComment1093340363 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2020/08/allan-mallinson-what-is-the-army-for.html#IDComment1093340271 An appreciably higher defence budget will certainly have political attractions amongst a wide spectrum given the wide breath of industrial-military complex. Will be popular in Scotland, red wall and shires. President Trump has reduced troop numbers in Germany. It makes sense for UK to fill void and thus a strong Cavalry (Armoured Corp) will be a pre - requisite. This will make for a strong strategic relationship with Germany to UK’s benefit. There is no false choice between a more global east of Suez role and a European role. Both are necessary. The Labour government made big mistake in premature withdrawal from east of Suez in late 60s. Friends and allies alike were left in lurch. Sun, 30 Aug 2020 10:37:48 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2020/08/allan-mallinson-what-is-the-army-for.html#IDComment1093340271