en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/21220159 Comments by TonyMannion https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/01/malcolm-rifkind-we-need-a-global-response-to-beijings-belligerence-inhumanity-and-mendacity.html#IDComment1096659823 All that Sir Malcolm details, the Chinese government attitudes, abuses and atrocities were there before we handed over Hong Kong. They were there before the west opened trade with China with the now ludicrous belief that through prosperity we will change the people and then the regime, it seems obvious now that will not happen peacefully, and as the Banks were too big to fail, China is too big to take military action against; we have awakened the sleeping giant. The idea that we can get global agreement to do anything about China seems to based on the premise that the United Nations and Countries who are world players give a damn about anything other than money, the US, ourselves, and anyone else who could grab a ride on the Chinese gravy train have sold out so who and where from are any actions supposed to be generated? One thing is clear the Chinese government know how weak we are and how much we need them for our economic growth and ignore us accordingly. The only action that I can see is possible, without starting a major conflict, is to hit them with sanctions that will hurt them and us economically, only if we are willing to hurt ourselves can we make any progress on human rights in China because at the moment it is a genocidal regime. Wed, 13 Jan 2021 09:12:04 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/01/malcolm-rifkind-we-need-a-global-response-to-beijings-belligerence-inhumanity-and-mendacity.html#IDComment1096659823 https://www.conservativehome.com/parliament/2019/12/election-battlegrounds-11-scotland.html#IDComment1084282839 depends on how you count votes: it is true that they gained more seats on a manifesto that included their 'belief' that a material change, such as leaving the EU, justifies another referendum however the paragraph above that statement says that they need a majority to support it; We will achieve independence only when a majority of our fellow citizens are persuaded that it offers the best future for our country. Our success will depend on the strength of our arguments and the clarity of our vision. We believe that the Scottish Parliament should have the right to hold another referendum if there is clear and sustained evidence that independence has become the preferred option of a majority of the Scottish people – or if there is a significant and material change in the circumstances that prevailed in 2014, such as Scotland being taken out of the EU against our will. In 2016 the SNP got a 46.5% share of a 54.6% turnout, around 25% not a majority. In 2017 the SNP got a 36.9% share of a 66.4% turnout again not a majority, as the other parties are against independence it could be argued that there is a majority against another referendum but i would say that as we are comparing apples and pears, parliamentary and assembly elections are decided on many issues whereas referendums are one issue and give a clear majority, however large or small. Although someone who voted to leave I understand that if the Conservatives get a majority of seats they (say they) will implement Brexit the mandate they will be enacting will the referendum result not this election result... that is if they do actually leave. Fri, 6 Dec 2019 18:14:08 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/parliament/2019/12/election-battlegrounds-11-scotland.html#IDComment1084282839 https://www.conservativehome.com/parliament/2019/12/election-battlegrounds-11-scotland.html#IDComment1084281392 I don't think the SNP will get the result they are after, they are clearly alienating two large demographics with their main policies of stop brexit and an independent Scotland, any who want brexit and to remain in the UK will not vote SNP whereas in a normal election some could vote SNP as the party of Scotland. I am certain that they will not get over 50% of the vote, undermining their fictitious claim for a referendum. Fri, 6 Dec 2019 17:21:25 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/parliament/2019/12/election-battlegrounds-11-scotland.html#IDComment1084281392 https://www.conservativehome.com/video/2019/09/watch-johnson-in-luxembourg-3-he-suggests-that-there-will-be-a-deal-because-the-eu-has-had-a-bellyful-of-all-this-stuff.html#IDComment1080893115 nov 1st slight disruption to business as usual, very soon after business as usual, then business booming, the length of time these periods take depend on how stubborn the EU is in trying to punish us (at cost to themselves) to set an example to any others who dare to dream of freedom, and yes I do know it's an illusion but it's slightly more tangible outside the EU. Tue, 17 Sep 2019 14:06:52 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/video/2019/09/watch-johnson-in-luxembourg-3-he-suggests-that-there-will-be-a-deal-because-the-eu-has-had-a-bellyful-of-all-this-stuff.html#IDComment1080893115 https://www.conservativehome.com/video/2019/09/watch-johnson-in-luxembourg-3-he-suggests-that-there-will-be-a-deal-because-the-eu-has-had-a-bellyful-of-all-this-stuff.html#IDComment1080871882 Although I believe the PM when he says he would prefer a deal, I hope it's same way I would prefer a deal, only a good deal, and that no deal really is better than a bad deal. I don't see how he can negotiate a new deal, that avoids the traps that the EU and May's collaboration team came up with, in the time available. I hope he realises this and will not seriously attempt to bring back the May/EU withdrawal agreement with tweeks as this will be electoral suicide. No deal 31st Oct. please. Mon, 16 Sep 2019 23:14:05 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/video/2019/09/watch-johnson-in-luxembourg-3-he-suggests-that-there-will-be-a-deal-because-the-eu-has-had-a-bellyful-of-all-this-stuff.html#IDComment1080871882 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2019/07/brandon-lewis-im-proud-of-the-conservative-party-i-have-seen-at-our-hustings.html#IDComment1077436058 I'm ashamed of the Conservative party I've seen today in the commons, when are you going to realise it's Brexit or the Brexit party??? Thu, 18 Jul 2019 14:09:28 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2019/07/brandon-lewis-im-proud-of-the-conservative-party-i-have-seen-at-our-hustings.html#IDComment1077436058 https://www.conservativehome.com/parliament/2019/07/the-17-conservative-mps-who-rebelled-against-the-government-on-prorogation-and-the-ministers-who-failed-to-vote.html#IDComment1077435809 ...sigh... has it really come down to whose democracy is bigger? Thu, 18 Jul 2019 14:06:24 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/parliament/2019/07/the-17-conservative-mps-who-rebelled-against-the-government-on-prorogation-and-the-ministers-who-failed-to-vote.html#IDComment1077435809 https://www.conservativehome.com/parliament/2019/07/the-17-conservative-mps-who-rebelled-against-the-government-on-prorogation-and-the-ministers-who-failed-to-vote.html#IDComment1077435596 first thing Boris has to do is to tweak the party rules to will allow constituency associations to decide who their candidate will be in the next election then hold a meeting of the parliamentary party and ask all of them to sign up to his plan, or we go to the country, with plenty of time allowed for selection's to take place. Thu, 18 Jul 2019 14:03:46 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/parliament/2019/07/the-17-conservative-mps-who-rebelled-against-the-government-on-prorogation-and-the-ministers-who-failed-to-vote.html#IDComment1077435596 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2019/07/howard-flight-why-the-time-has-come-for-drug-legalisation.html#IDComment1076444545 the argument for legalisation does not make sense, they say it will disenfranchise the dealers but if the plan is to only legalise 'soft' drugs then the dealers will still have a market and will push their product even more vigorously to keep their share of the profits, of course the legal sellers will make theirs so the free-marketeers will be happy and the vulnerable will be become even more at risk. Just because some people were stupid when younger does mean what they did should be legalised. Mon, 1 Jul 2019 13:09:05 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2019/07/howard-flight-why-the-time-has-come-for-drug-legalisation.html#IDComment1076444545 https://www.conservativehome.com/video/2019/06/watch-johnson-waves-off-questions-about-his-domestic-dispute.html#IDComment1075872061 I read the full article of Boris's with the "letterbox" comment, I wonder if all those who bring it up have done so, as it's main thrust is his defence of the right for women to cover up in public if they choose to. Sat, 22 Jun 2019 15:37:44 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/video/2019/06/watch-johnson-waves-off-questions-about-his-domestic-dispute.html#IDComment1075872061 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2019/06/not-even-johnson-can-stop-johnson.html#IDComment1075870197 Not that I have a vote but if I had I just couldn't vote for a remainer, during the MP's vote remain MP's were still saying things that show they just don't understand that anything short of a 'clean' brexit will result in the party losing votes to the Brexit party. Looking at the by-election result this would give power to a Corbyn/Libdem/SNP government, and all the horse trading that goes with that. Proportional representation (without a referendum) and/or Scots independence referendum. Sat, 22 Jun 2019 13:40:16 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2019/06/not-even-johnson-can-stop-johnson.html#IDComment1075870197 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2019/06/not-even-johnson-can-stop-johnson.html#IDComment1075869812 lib/dem or corbynista, or a champagne socialist who has money and feels guilty (but doesn't give away the money) Sat, 22 Jun 2019 13:21:46 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2019/06/not-even-johnson-can-stop-johnson.html#IDComment1075869812 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2019/06/not-even-johnson-can-stop-johnson.html#IDComment1075869691 it members are prepared to see the party destroyed and scotland depart to get brexit then, after this artificially blown up tale, Boris is safe Sat, 22 Jun 2019 13:16:03 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2019/06/not-even-johnson-can-stop-johnson.html#IDComment1075869691 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2019/06/not-even-johnson-can-stop-johnson.html#IDComment1075868644 questions to ask; Is the neighbour on any sort of retainer with the Guardian or has she received any payment for the tape? What equipment was used for recording the disagreement and was this their own or was it supplied by someone? Sat, 22 Jun 2019 12:22:55 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2019/06/not-even-johnson-can-stop-johnson.html#IDComment1075868644 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2019/06/if-the-tories-are-serious-about-electoral-fraud-theyll-take-action-on-postal-votes.html#IDComment1075631317 During an election in Rotherham I went to a hustings, some may remember it as it was the one MacShane refused to go to as he was being heckled by the Muslim community over the Iraq war, I was introduced to a local businessman who told me he had 32 votes at his disposal and said he wished that he could support the tories as he felt they best represented his views but was afraid that Labour would find out and ruin his business. Mon, 17 Jun 2019 17:09:26 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2019/06/if-the-tories-are-serious-about-electoral-fraud-theyll-take-action-on-postal-votes.html#IDComment1075631317 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2019/06/leadership-debates-are-an-opportunity-for-candidates-and-the-party-not-simply-a-risk.html#IDComment1075389786 its a last ditch attempt in the stop boris campaign, he should ignore it as very few of the consumers of the programs will have any votes, the Leadsom cock (stitch) up got us May Fri, 14 Jun 2019 08:39:35 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2019/06/leadership-debates-are-an-opportunity-for-candidates-and-the-party-not-simply-a-risk.html#IDComment1075389786 https://www.conservativehome.com/video/2019/06/watch-gove-challenges-johnson-whatever-you-do-dont-pull-out-i-know-you-have-before.html#IDComment1075131165 good of gove to clarify the matter, just in case there was anyone left who didn't he is a very nasty little twerp Mon, 10 Jun 2019 16:20:29 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/video/2019/06/watch-gove-challenges-johnson-whatever-you-do-dont-pull-out-i-know-you-have-before.html#IDComment1075131165 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2019/06/victoria-prentis-why-i-am-voting-for-stewart.html#IDComment1074831941 do these people really not see the big pile of doo doo that they are in, I'm beginning to think Farage has a shot at it Sun, 2 Jun 2019 13:40:45 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2019/06/victoria-prentis-why-i-am-voting-for-stewart.html#IDComment1074831941 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2019/06/owen-paterson-this-fudged-contest-simply-isnt-up-to-the-existential-challenge-facing-our-party-it-needs-a-candidate-cull.html#IDComment1074806271 I think the main advantage of having so many runners being eliminated one by one is a continuation of 'running down the clock', if the rules don't get changed, to ten or twelve signatures to stand, then I will take it that the remainers are still in charge and that only the brexit party will deliver brexit. Sat, 1 Jun 2019 16:33:53 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2019/06/owen-paterson-this-fudged-contest-simply-isnt-up-to-the-existential-challenge-facing-our-party-it-needs-a-candidate-cull.html#IDComment1074806271 https://www.conservativehome.com/video/2019/05/watch-malthouse-i-am-the-only-person-who-decided-to-get-off-my-backside-and-try-a-new-approach-to-brexit.html#IDComment1074645597 I used to have a straw trilby, very nice but the wife didn't like it... not been seen for some time! Tue, 28 May 2019 15:23:32 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/video/2019/05/watch-malthouse-i-am-the-only-person-who-decided-to-get-off-my-backside-and-try-a-new-approach-to-brexit.html#IDComment1074645597