Kibaki seizes power.

The Kenyan election results have been rigged to preserve Kibaki in power. This is unacceptable and British & Commonwealth & European governments must withdraw aid and support.  The police and general service unit are being used as instruments of repression by Kibaki. 

Kenyans cheated in election farce.

It is becoming clearer by the hour that Kenyan opposition voters have been cheated. Kibaki has seized the presidency in a manner which can only be described a a coup. There is a complete lack of transparency in the counting of the votes and there is concern that there are irregularities in the process.

Whilst it is legitimate to raise concerns using legal methods and peaceful protests; we would condemn acts of violence and some of this violence is inspired by criminals taking advantage of the chaos caused by the farce this election has become.

Election meltdown.

In Pakistan some opposition leaders desire a cancellation of the coming general election, this wound signal a victory for terrorism. In Kenya the result of the general and presidential elections are apparently close between the two leading rival candidates encouraging suspicion of fraud. In both countries the shops, businesses of the streets suffer from looting, killings, destruction of property and just simple criminal disorder. In Pakistan Mrs Bhutto’s death has led to 38 deaths, in Kenya 3 probably more have died due to the delay in announcing results, there were also reports of deaths when polling stations opened.

The situation in Pakistan was not helped by the failure to treat the scene of Mrs Bhutto’s death as a crime scene and a proper post mortem should have been performed. Given the dangerous situation on the streets this was indeed a foolish error.

Political leaders have a responsibility to show leadership and discourage violence and disorder. In a mature democracy there should be transparency and openness; an orderly open process for conducting the process of gathering votes and results should not be delayed.

In Zimbabwe of course, when it comes to elections, Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF ensure the dead vote, a miracle unequalled and the dead, yet another miracle, never vote for opposition candidates. Elections in Zimbabwe are a total farce.

After the assassination - chaos.

Yesterday’s sad and tragic news of the death of Benazir Bhutto in Rawalpindi has been followed by the killing today, of 23 people; riots, looting and associated criminal activities and one opposition leader, Nawaz Shariff has called for revenge - not justice as one would expect, no doubt this will add to the toll of death, he has also called for a boycott of the general election. It is far better that the general election in Pakistan goes ahead, everything should be done to encourage moderation and common sense.  The problem is that extreme reactions play in to the hands of the terrorists. This is a time for cool judgements and not for hot heads.

Benazir Bhutto 1953-2007

Today’s tragic news of the assassination  of Benazir Bhutto, amidst the homicidal murders of innocent supporters and police, illustrates those who promote terror are losing the battle. It may well be the military, the ISI or islamic terrorists who killed Benazir Bhutto, take your pick each of these would be happy to see her gone. We hope that such desperate acts of homicidal murder will not deter those in Pakistan struggling for democracy and an end to military rule and terrorism.

Mshini Wami?

The above Zulu words mean “Bring me my machine gun” the favoured song of Jacob Zuma. Zuma like Mugabe lives under the illusion he is still involved in the liberation war!

Zuma has been elected the new ANC leader and very likely he will in time be the president of South Africa. He has rather extreme views and his fascination for his favourite song is likely to send chills down backs.

Will it mean another country going down the pan? As yet it is too early to speculate, we sincerely hope Zuma will clarify his intentions on whether he will continue to build on the progress gained already, and maintain at least existing economic, social and democratic structures or if he will take the Zimbabwe path to ruin? We already know he may well be involved in corruption.

Frankly, given the evidence he could be far worse than Mugabe!

Zenophobia in English football.

It was pathetic to see some media hacks; especially the scribblers at The Sun who felt the England Manager’s post should have gone to an Englishman. Fact is, it is rather difficult to find a suitable person; Steve McClarren was good but he was undermined by sniping and lack of support. The selection of Fabio Capello for England Manager is probably a good move, he is bringing hs own management team and why not? Frankly, it is the most difficult job in the country since there are some 60 million+ other England football managers and the players are more concerned with their own image than the game. We wish him well and we are sure he is the right man for the job.

On a more positive note: it was good to see the support Watford football club , the hornets, supporters gave to Al Bangura who is fighting deportation to Sierra Leone, having lost his case at an Asylum and Immigration Tribunal hearing; the decision to deport him is unjust; he is a good role model for youth and he has played a constructive role in football, we hope he will succeed in overturning the decision made against him. He has a lot of support, including the local MP, Claire Ward and there is good reason to hope that Home Office officials will be persuaded to drop their plans for deportation.

Returning to the bad old days.

The sudden decision to impose an unfair pay settlement for the Police indicates a return to the the bad old days - those of pay freeezes, incomes policies: such policies as these were followed by the Wilson & Callaghan governments - they failed. Government interference in collective bargaining is always a failure. It focuses on public sector pay as this is the only sector the government can control, private sector pay will continue as before through collective bargaining and pay agreements ratified by trade union members.

One sure way to guarantee industrial unrest - strikes - is to impose an incomes policy. Whilst it’s true inflation is a problem it is best to educate people on the risks of inflation. Besides, how can people accept the need for pay restraint when £20 billions+ disappears into the Northern Rock cess pit and businesses get favourable terms in regard to tax and a Labour Party is quite happy to accept monies in donations/loans from businesses.

Consider the impact of rampant increases we have seen in: gas, electricity, fuel, food prices, interest rate increases and the impact on mortgages. This new incomes policy may be the one issue that will severely test our membership of the Labour Party.

Zimbabweans want Democracy & Freedom.

Mugabe has been selected by his party of thugs, Zanu PF, to run again as its presidential candidate in 2008. He claimed in his speech to the assembled morons, that he “could and would not abandon his people in hard times”. Fact is he abandoned the people years ago and what’s more the people of Zimbabwe are not “his people”.  Mugabe has led Zimbabwe into disaster, he has totally ruined and corrupted the country, most Zimbabweans would be quite happy if he just gave up his office, illegally obtained, and disappeared down the nearest drain. 

Pay Up.

The Police Federation have a good case in regard to the decision by the Home Secretary not to backdate the agreed pay rise from September 1st. The government’s decision not to honour the agreement is a total disgrace.