2 Comments

• Andrew Martin 14th Jan '14 - 5:19pm

  Dry January is the way forward!

• Dr David Hill 2nd Feb '14 - 11:32am

  HS2 Report not for ‘Open’ Public Information. Why is this and have you a strong case in the interests of democracy why the block was made and the very same power that blocked the Iraqi disclosures?

  Indeed it is in my humble opinion one of the reasons why people are continually not voting at both national and local elections as the people continue to realise that politicians just do not listen to their concerns or anything that really means anything to the majority. Indeed if they wished to know why increasingly less people are not coming out to vote for them, they only have to look in the mirror. For the latest decision by government not to release the ‘open’ criticised HS2 report on the grounds that it was not in the public’s interest to release the HS2 report that the commissioner of our Freedom of Information said it was, is a clear example of why politicians are just not trusted anymore. In this respect if HS2 is so good why will they not allow the criticism by Whitehall civil servants who were openly allowed to in a fairly unique event to share their personal views on this national matter without redress, to be published? This smacks at matters of cover-up as usual to a great extent and where democracy, openness and transparency are just not a part of modern politics in the UK anymore. Indeed another nail in the coffin of democracy I fear and where even less people as a percentage of the total voting population will just not bother to vote. Therefore again, look yourselves in the mirror all those in Westminster and realise that the people are not as stupid as you really appear to think. Indeed it appears that they apparently must think that voters are incapable of judging for themselves presumably even value for money? But could it possibly be also the reason why parliamentarians want to drop the voting age to sixteen now, as our young are far more gullible than older informed voters who have realise a long time ago that politicians are just not what they appear to be. In this respect as it is a time-served exercise in determining the mindset of our political classes, 16 years of age is simply a no brainer for me, but could it be that our highly enlightened politicians know something that I just cannot get my head around? But can anyone else for that matter understand this logic is the big question? Basically it appears to me that they have their own agendas, objectives and vested-interests to look after in the long-term than that of the voters in reality and therefore there is no point in voting in my opinion for such personal objectives? You only have to look at the jobs that some former ministers et al end up with in business after they leave office to see this clearly and where when they were in office they ultimately oversaw the companies that they now work for. BBC appointments sticks out clearly here and where transparency, openness and single appointees without others being invited is the order of the day…not appointments made on sheer merit and open to all who are competent for the posts.

  Dr David Hill
  Chief Executive
  World Innovation Foundation