Category Archives: Our History

The Wealth of Nations

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On the back of the English £20 note is a picture of Adam Smith, the famous 18th century Scottish economist, philosopher and author, whose book “The Wealth of Nations” radically changed the way people thought about wealth and national prosperity.

Smith was a great believer in free trade and the economic and social benefits that it could bring to a nation and its people. However, he once remarked that –

“It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest”.

A statement worth bearing in mind when we hear of certain leaders of big business urging the UK to remain in the over-regulated European Union.

We must never forget that capitalist self-interest outweighs all other interests, including democracy and freedom, time after time.

Paying the Price

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Earlier this week, I stayed in a town called Bariloche in the stunningly beautiful Patagonia region of Argentina. The town, built on the shores of a lake framed by the majestic Andes Mountains, was originally founded by Swiss, German and Italian immigrants and is famous for its chocolate. I didn’t try any but did enjoy a couple of pints of the excellent local beer.

The locals are warm, friendly and keen for their visitors to enjoy themselves and so I felt a little uncomfortable when I walked past a hotel called Hotel Islas Malvinas, the Falkland Islands to us. As I continued my walk along the lakeside my discomfort increased when I came upon a memorial to local sailors who had lost their lives on the General Belgrano cruiser, sunk by the British on May 22nd 1982 during the Falklands War.

The war began when Argentine dictator, General Galtieri, ordered an invasion of the British-owned Islands in an attempt to gain some popularity for his faltering government. It backfired spectacularly when the British Task force sailed half way across the world and drove out the invaders leading ultimately to the collapse of Galtieri’s regime.

But none of that is the point. The point is that here is another example of ordinary men and women on both sides losing their lives because of the policies of a corrupt, vain politician anxious to hang on to power. What quarrel did ordinary Argentinian men and women have with their British counterparts? None, of course.

It’s the same the world over and has been so since time began; innocents shedding their blood for ambitious politicians who are happy to send others to their deaths but never go anywhere near the fighting themselves. In a perfect world such politicians would be placed on a remote island, given weapons and left to fight it out among themselves while the rest of us just get on with enjoying our lives. If only.

And Did Those Feet?

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Last Wednesday Parliament adopted a Bill, which, if it becomes law, will give England her own national anthem. Many foreigners would, I’m sure, be incredulous that this should be necessary in the first place, particularly since most people assume (including many in the British Isles) that “God Save The Queen” is England’s national anthem.

It is not, “God Save The Queen” is the anthem of the United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) but since England doesn’t have her own national anthem the anthem of the UK is  used at English sporting occasions. This has always struck me as a little unfair. All other members of the Union have their own national anthems so why can’t England? Why should the English need to appropriate an anthem belonging to the UK as a whole?

The anomaly should be quickly corrected and England should have her own national anthem with immediate effect. The front runners seem to be “Land of Hope and Glory” (a throwback to music hall jingoism and more Hope than Glory these days!) followed by “Jerusalem” which, of course, is a hymn about our country’s Christian values rather than a foreign city.

Both are beautiful, moving and stirring anthems and if sung at English sporting occasions would, I’m sure, give us a huge lift. That alone would swing it for me since, let’s be honest, most English sports teams (with the obvious exception of our cricketers!) need all the help they can get these days!

Celebrating Christmas

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Joy to the world, peace and goodwill to all mankind. These are the traditional benign wishes of Christians on the anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ, otherwise known as Christmas; a time of happiness and giving, maintained still by large parts of humanity, including those with no belief in Jesus Christ or, for that matter, in any God.

For sure, many in the West have no belief or religious faith whatever but still feel the need to celebrate Christmas with their fellows. Is it because Christmas represents a break from work, a chance to give and receive presents and an excuse to overindulge in food and drink? Yes, of course it is but is it something more besides?

Is the goodwill and happiness, felt by most of us at this time of year and inspired by memories of Christmases past, an indication that, even though we may not be practising Christians, we can still at least live our lives in a decent Christian manner? Maybe so. Merry Christmas!

Back to Rationing?

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With all the political shenanigans of this week it was almost a relief to pick up a newspaper and read about fat (sorry, obese) Britain. Of course, the obesity crisis has been in the news for at least as long as the war against terrorism but it has understandably taken something of a back seat recently.

The latest proposals by senior nutritionists to help us lead more healthy lives were revealed  yesterday.  A Cambridge University Professor of Behaviour and Health, Theresa Marteau, is of the opinion that it would benefit us if we reverted to the 1950s when both plate sizes and food portions were considerably smaller than they are now and so, consequently, were the British people.

Her suggestions make sense since there is always a tendency (and I’m sure we’ve all been guilty of this, from time to time) to eat whatever food is placed in front of us at the table.

Yes, smaller portions on smaller plates could well work but I hope the eminent professor wasn’t suggesting that we go back to the other food related feature of the 1950s, namely rationing, which, after 14 years (beginning in the early days of World War II) only ended in July 1954.

Actually, taking a look at some of the sights on the average British high street, that might not be such a bad idea!

Wise Counsel

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Our national news continues to be dominated by the threat of Islamic extremism while our leaders talk of sending in the RAF to join in the bombing of Isis in their Syrian and Iraqi strongholds. As if bombing alone will sort it out.

On the contrary, a campaign of bombing is likely to exacerbate the problem since when, inevitably, news is broadcast of the deaths of innocent civilians killed in the raids, it will act as a further call to arms to yet more extremists and potential extremists from within our midst. The problem from within is the most challenging of all issues facing not just the UK but all other countries who were foolish enough to open their borders to all and sundry without proper screening.

This is the problem that even our most liberal minded politicians are at last beginning to comprehend. They cannot say that they weren’t warned since, nearly 6 years ago, Nigerian author and Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, who divides his time between Nigeria and the UK, spoke of the consequences of our misguided tolerance by stating  –

“England is a cesspit. England is the breeding ground of fundamentalist ­Muslims. Its social logic is to allow all religions to preach openly. But this is illogic, because none of the other religions preach apocalyptic violence. And yet England allows it.”

We in England and elsewhere in Europe have had experience of that “apocalyptic violence” at first hand, with undoubtedly more to follow.

Well over 100 years ago, a 25 year old Winston Churchill (whose birthday it is today) serving as an army officer in both India and Africa, gave prophetic warning of the dangers of Islam in his book “The River War”. Churchill had gained wide experience of  Islam both fighting with and against Muslim soldiers in India and Africa. Whilst he had a favourable view of the individuals who served under him he feared the religion and the “fanatical frenzy which is as dangerous to a man as hydrophobia (rabies) in a dog”.

He further warned that “the influence of the religion paralyzes the social development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists in the world.”

Nothing has changed in that time except that the danger has increased and has now come to our doorstep.  Only a fool ignores the counsel of the wise but, unfortunately for us, it seems we have been governed by fools for quite a few years now.

Old Grog

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Yesterday was the birthday of one of England’s most famous admirals, Admiral Edward Vernon, born November 12th, 1684. He made his name in the War of the Spanish Succession when he took part in the British capture of Barcelona in 1705.

In 1739, during the War of Jenkins’ Ear (so called because British Captain, Robert Jenkins had had his ear cut off by Spanish coastguards – only the British could go to war over somebody’s ear!) Vernon’s forces captured the Spanish town of Porto Bello in Panama. Upon his return to England, Vernon was feted as a hero and was granted the Freedom of the City of London. His victory led to the public debut of the song “Rule Britannia” and one of the city’s thoroughfares was renamed Portobello Road in his honour.

He has the distinction of having a drink named after him too, since, in an effort to prevent excessive drunkenness amongst his sailors, he ordered that the rum ration be weakened to 1 part rum and 3 parts water. To make the drink more palatable, lemon or lime juice was added to the mix. This is one reason why Americans still to this day refer to the British as “Limeys”! However, more pertinent to this story, the resulting drink was called “Old Grog” since this was Vernon’s nickname due to his practice of wearing grogham coats – grogham being a type of coarse fabric.

He also took part in the failed attempt to capture Cartagena from the Spanish in 1741, one of his officers being George Washington’s brother, Lawrence, who named the family plantation “Mount Vernon” (now one of America’s most visited properties) in honour of the Admiral.

After his service in the Royal Navy, Vernon moved into politics and became an avid Parliamentary reformer, striving to improve the fighting efficiency of the Navy. He died in 1757, almost 50 years before the Navy’s greatest ever triumph at Trafalgar, and there is a monument erected to his memory at Westminster Abbey.

Spare him a thought the next time you pour yourself a glass of grog!

Health and Safety at Agincourt

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This Sunday sees the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt, October 25th, 1415 a battle won by the English (and Welsh) against all the odds.  I wonder what would have happened if a similar event had occurred in these politically correct days………….

King (to his troops) – “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers….”

Health and Safety Official  – “Hey you, what do you think you’re playing at?

K. – “Well, I’m just about to give battle to the French and I thought I’d try and rally the men.”

H.S.O. – “Really, and what do you think you’re doing with all those bows and arrows? Where are the safety guards for those sharp points?

K. – “We were going to fire them at the French.”

H.S.O. – “What! Have you any idea how dangerous those things are? Have you issued safety goggles to your bowmen and have you carried out a full risk assessment?”

K. – “I beg your pardon?”

H.S.O.  – “And what about those wooden stakes?

K. – “Er, we were going to put them in the ground so we’d have some protection if the French cavalry decided to attack us.”

H.S.O. – “Are you stupid, have you considered what would happen if the horses suddenly stopped and threw the riders on to those stakes? They could do themselves a nasty injury.”

K. – “That’s the idea!”

H.S.O. – “And these soldiers of yours, are they on minimum wage contracts?

King – “What?”

H.S.O. – “How much do you pay them?”

K – “Pay them?”

H.S.O. – “And have you made any provision for sick leave, parenting leave and fulfilled all the criteria regarding gay rights, religious discrimination and sex discrimination? Do you employ any female employees or people from ethnic minorities”.

K. – “Eh?”

H.S.O. “Are your employees incentivised? Do you give them targets?

K.  – “Oh yes, of course. We train them to aim for the head or the heart. Well the heart really because you can still cause serious damage if your aim is a bit off centre.”

H.S.O. – “Who are you anyway?

K. – “I’m King Henry V”

H.S.O. – “Yeah, yeah and I’m Julius Caesar.

K. – “No, I really am the king and I’m the undisputed leader of this fine body of men.”

H.S.O – “They don’t look very fine to me”

K. – “That’s because we ran out of supplies and they’ve been living on nuts and berries for the last few days and most of them have got dysentery.”

H.S.O. – “Alright, that’s it. I’m afraid I’m going to have to close down this operation  without further notice. There’ll be no more invading of  France for you, sunshine.

K. – “Sergeant-at-arms. I’ve no idea what planet this jester is from but, methinks, it’s certainly one unfamiliar to me. Take him away, remove his head and let’s start this confounded battle! Cry God for Harry, England and St George!”

(With apologies to William Shakespeare)

No Care for our Heroes

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On Saturday it was reported in the Independent newspaper that “Britain’s oldest POW is now living off handouts”. I read the story and was horrified to learn that ex-World War II soldier and Nazi prison camp survivor, Robbie Clark, aged 97, registered blind and in a wheelchair, is surviving off charity handouts and is in danger of being evicted from his home by Brent Borough Council, north London.

Evidently, Mr Clark used up his savings of £50,000 in paying his £960 a week care bill and now the council have said they will only pay a contribution of £451 a week, meaning that he could be forced to live in a care home, a prospect that the former prisoner of war views with dread.

Why, I wondered? Even in a country that generally treats its ex-military with indifference and scant respect , how could this happen?

I decided to visit the website of Brent Council and there discovered that, of its 63 councillors, 1 is Liberal, 6 are Conservative and 56 are Labour, the party whose new leader is an avowed socialist and who refuses to sing the National Anthem. Further, the Council boasts on its website that “Brent  is the second most culturally diverse borough in the UK”.

Now it makes sense, an ex-soldier of the detested former empire? Certainly not a priority and certainly not diverse enough for the politically correct rulers of Brent Borough Council.

Never mind that, we should expect nothing less from a socialist run organisation proud of its ethnic and cultural diversity.  We should be more concerned about what it says about our country as a whole. A country that expects  its young men and women to risk their lives in time of war but then, if they are fortunate enough to return, is not prepared to look after them in old age and infirmity.

Remember the Few

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This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and tomorrow, September 15th, was the day when the tide of the summer-long battle of 1940 finally turned, causing Germany to abandon its plans to invade Britain.

September 15th, known as Battle of Britain day, was pivotal to the struggle because so ferocious was the British (and allied) defence of these islands and so heavy the destruction of German bombers, particularly on that day, that Hitler was forcefully persuaded to reconsider his strategy.

So, as you go about your daily business tomorrow, pause for a moment and spare a thought for those brave young men of the RAF (the average age of a Battle of Britain pilot was 20) who fought for the freedom of their country and who, in many cases, made the ultimate sacrifice.

At the time, Winston Churchill was moved to say, “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few”. We still owe them and we must never forget them.