Category Archives: Political

Politics affecting the north west of England.

Preston to Manchester Rail Electrification in pre-budget statement.

Posted on December 10, 2009 by Pete of MIP

Yesterday, 9th Dec, the Chancellor stood up in Parliament and said in his pre-budget announcement; ‘I can tell the House today that I have also given the go-ahead to further plans for rail electrification between Liverpool, Manchester and Preston. The … Continue reading →

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North v South and the meaning of life

Posted on October 15, 2009 by Pete of MIP

Watched John Prescott on TV last night with his wife on the subject of north v south.  Quite like John Prescott he’s a down to earth type who can stand his corner, although him and his wife especially like their fancy … Continue reading →

Posted in Not particularly Preston, Political, Uncategorized | Comments Off

International and National powerplay week

Posted on October 4, 2009 by Pete of MIP

Interesting week.  Irish vote to sign the EU Reform Treaty also known  as the Lisbon Treaty. It’s now a bit of a tightrope for the Conservatives as to whether the Poles and Czechs sign before an election in the UK. If … Continue reading →

Posted in Not particularly Preston, Political, Uncategorized | Comments Off

BAE SYSTEMS and SFO

Posted on October 1, 2009 by Pete of MIP

BAE SYSTEMS, the biggest high tech employer in Lancashire and the UK, is in the news today. The Serious Fraud Office are saying they will ask the Attorney General to press charges with a punitive £1000 million fine for offering … Continue reading →

Posted in Aviation, Political, Technology | Comments Off

Preston Bus v Stagecoach competition inquiry

Posted on September 28, 2009 by Pete of MIP

The Evening Post alerted me to the Competition Commission (CC) report issued on 3rd September 2009 relating to Stagecoach taking over Preston Bus Limited. The CC have quite a good website and there is a lot of stuff related to … Continue reading →

Posted in Political, Road, Uncategorized | Comments Off

Council Tax v Local Income Tax – Liberal Democrats

Posted on September 21, 2009 by Pete of MIP

Vince Cable was on the BBC just now getting a bit shirty that he was being asked questions about his supplementary tax on houses valued over £1million. As I’m against any new tax that brings a foot in the door … Continue reading →

Posted in Political | 2 Comments

Tithebarn Public inquiry

Posted on September 18, 2009 by Pete of MIP

I heard it on Radio Lancashire, the government have announced that a public inquiry is to be held into whether Preston should be allowed to have a project as large as the Tithebarn. In effect the government are sort of putting Prestons investment onto … Continue reading →

Posted in Made in Preston, Political, Uncategorized | Comments Off

Smart Meters, any use?

Posted on September 16, 2009 by Pete of MIP

I was reading an article by Ed Milliband saying smart meters will give us a responsive more efficient electricity grid, enable billing without a meter reader and for consumers to be aware of what they using. All this at a cost … Continue reading →

Posted in Political, Technology | Comments Off

Earnings of an MP

Posted on August 13, 2009 by Pete of MIP

I was reading some of the fuss from Alan Duncans statement that MP’s are on rations. It isn’t clear if he’s speaking for himself or for MP’s in general. The economy is a mess and over 2 million are out … Continue reading →

Posted in Political | 1 Comment

National Politics: A couple of recent events – the Con. Lab. Speaker and the £9.6m man

Posted on June 23, 2009 by Pete of MIP

I don’t like putting national stuff on here but sometimes I get a bit fired up.  So a note on a couple of things that came out yesterday.  Lets see if these are storms in teacups or just a further step … Continue reading →

Posted in Not particularly Preston, Political, Uncategorized | Comments Off

New Minister of Defence

Posted on June 7, 2009 by Pete of MIP

Bob Ainsworth appointed Minister of Defence. Time was when this was a very big appointment. Now the defence budget is much smaller than the social budgets. It’s still big to Preston though if you work at BAE SYSTEMS. The minister … Continue reading →

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Lancashire, The Red Rose county goes blue

Posted on June 6, 2009 by Pete of MIP

After Thursdays election Lancashire County Council now comprises: Con 51, Lab 16, Lib Dem 10, Independant 3, Green 2, BNP 1, Idle Toad 1.  35 seats changed hands. The Conservatives said they’d not increase Council Tax next year.  In the last … Continue reading →

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Gordon Brown

Posted on June 1, 2009 by Pete of MIP

I guess you can’t have a blog, whatever its subject, without writing something about the current state of the state. Why pick on Gordon Brown, he hasn’t been accused of exploiting expenses rules?  Yet, as a pensioner myself, I can’t … Continue reading →

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North West England Regional Minister

Posted on June 1, 2009 by Pete of MIP

I keep finding these layers of government relating to the area, mainly while searching for something else. Who is aware that Beverley Hughes, an MP in Manchester,  is Minister for North West England.  I think of all these organisations that the North … Continue reading →

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Voting and Parties in the European Elections – North West England

Posted on May 20, 2009 by Pete of MIP

In the North West we have 12 parties, each with 8 candidates who are ranked in priority. There are 8 seats which is the second highest representation in the UK.  The parties are:  Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat, Green, BNP (British National … Continue reading →

Posted in Political, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

European Parliament Elections

Posted on May 18, 2009 by Pete of MIP

On 4th June there is an election for the European Parliament. So far I’ve received a leaflet from the Conservatives although I don’t know who my MEP is or what he or she does and the leaflet doesn’t tell me. … Continue reading →

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