Television History.

The BBC always produces interesting history subjects for viewers and without doubt it is always fascinating. The Story of India, a Michael Wood survey, is one of the latest of these expeditions into history. There is no doubt Michael Wood is an excellent communicator he can deliver thoughtful, worthwhile productions. Having watched the most recent episode which concentrates on the history of the East India Company I began to detect that its presenter generalizes too much and when before in his previous British history productions he introduced critical detail, in this current project there seemed to be a rather raptuous interpretation; the excitement of embracing the work of Indian historians enables him to overlook evidence and factual material whch is surplanted with unsubstantiated comments. William Dalrymple, a known scholar in his own right featured in the same programme seems likewise enraptured by the subject; it is one thing to demonize British rule in India before 1947 but can we ignore it also brought positive features, a necessary comparison with previous ruling empires would not go amiss.

By all means popularize British history but not at the cost of balance.

Burma.

Recent news from Burma confirms the military junta is reacting brutally to massive protests for democracy and freedom, We salute the courage of the Burmese opposition in facing down repression. The world needs to react seriously to this crisis, fine spoken words at the UN Security Council is one thing but what is required is the isolation of the military junta, all normal commercial operations should be halted, business cannot go on as usual, sanctions must be applied and every effort should be made to bring the military down.

Gordon Brown has rightly recognised brutal dictatorships as in Burma and Zimbabwe should be challenged and the opposition to repression be supported.

Zimbabwean opposition leaders  should learn lessons from the courageous leadership of the opposition in Burma.

Burma the struggle for freedom…

This morning comes news of the military regime now unleashing the army against the Bhuddist monks and their supporters from the people. The military regime must be condemned and isolated, sanctions and ending business and tourist links must be imposed. The military dictators must be overthrown and democracy restored in Burma. We salute the courage of those in Burma fighting for democracy and freedom.

We hope that the weak leadership of the Zimbabwe opposition learn something about how to lead the people and oppose a repressive regime. Mugabe and Zanu PF you are next.

Labour Party “Conference” 2007

As I am off work for a few days this week, I from time to time tune in to the BBC Parliament channel to watch the proceedings at this years Labour “Conference” frankly, it seems totally lifeless and a mere extended press conference. Everything in the garden is rosy - I doubt it.  All staged managed and just as the Lib Dems and Torys thoroughly boring.

Solidarity with the people of Burma…

Solidarity with the people of Burma, surely our thoughts this morning must be with the people of Burma and their leaders, especially for a very brave Aung San Sun Kyi for their struggle for freedom and human rights against a military dictatorship. The courage of the people and also the monks in their street demonstrations is superb. The courage of the opposition leaders sets an example, even opposition leaders in Zimbabwe can learn from.  The military dictatorship in Burma is powerful but its days are numbered.

Parliamentary election?

The scribes representing the newspapers, radio  and  tv news hacks are apparently rather bored at the Labour Party “Conference” this week, the big Blair and Brown stories have passed now the focus is on if Gordon Brown will call a parliamentary election. Certainly, the omens look good, no doubt about that and it would be right to seek public approval of the new premiership. This writer believes going for a parliamentary election now would be very wise. One remembers the failure of James Callaghan to call an election in the autumn of 1978 and the subsequent winter of discontent. If Gordon Brown wants to promote his unfair policy of low pay for public sector workers it might indeed be wise to call an election now. There will be rising discontent amongst low paid public sector workers, which plays into the hands of militant, extremist union leaders and we may well be faced with an outbreak of strikes. It would wise for Gordon Brown either to rethink his low pay strategy or call an early election.

Labour Party Annual Conference…

Labour Party Annual Conference…is it really necessary to hold annual conferences in this the 21st century? Is it really the best use of party resources and funds? Does it have any point? There are many who would like to forget the old style conferences, which produced firey speeches and speakers and delegates could say what they liked. Conference nowadays is a mere boring public relations event an extended press conference. So in the end; wouldn’t it be really cheaper if the NEC merely sent a tick the box sheet to members for motions from the top so that members could just tick the yes box and return to the NEC; then our dear leaders can hold a press conference declaring our wishes for the programme.

Kate Hoey…

Kate Hoey is an outstanding MP, she is an advocate for change in Zimbabwe, she has risked everything on various covert visits to the country to expose the horrors and terror of the Mugabe/Zanu PF fascist dictatorship.  This MP for Vauxhall in London is a credit to the Labour Party.

Comment on the week’s news items…

A big thank you to Gordon Brown for refusing to attend the coming African Union - European Union summit if Mugabe attends - this was one really welcome piece of news and Mugabe must learn he is unwelcome not just in Zimbabwe but also elsewhere. We hope other EU leaders will take similar action.

It’s good that the UK media has highlighted the continuing crisis in Zimbabwe: people need to be informed of the suffering of the Zimbabwean people under the Mugabe/Zanu PF fascist dictatorship.

Governor of the Bank of England  and his senior gofors interviewed by the Treasury Select Committee this week got off rather lightly from their inept actions over the Northern Rock crisis.

The Lib Dem conference has to be the most boring event of the week, clealy a big yawn from a party that has absolutely nothing to offer the electorate.

Time to reduce the interest rate…

This writer has for some time protested in regard to the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee’s foolish decisions in raising interest rates, there have been too many increases in too short a time. It is now time to substantially reduce interest rates. Whilst we are all concerned with the dangers of inflation it is also true a little inflation is tolerable and normal. The current banking crisis owes much to unwise and irresponsible decisions taken by the Monetary Policy Committee. The past and current chancellors of the exchequer have let us all down in not realizing the consequences of decisions made the Monetary Policy Committee.

Mr. Darling, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, should also understand the role of risk in financial matters, banks are free to raise monies where they wish and conduct operations in an open market as they wish. Debt is not necessarily a bad thing in itself; even governments use debt; debt is a normal function of everyday life, far better people are able to borrow money from financial institutions at agreed rates and people should be free to opt for risks. Using so called old traditional banking methods is not suitable for modern times.

Yes, Meryvn King should go, he might be more useful for cricket commentary on Radio 5 Sports Live, even Mr. Darling should go for failures in doing his job and allowing interest rate increases.