BBC news last evening stated that 17 EU member States (IIRC) get more out of the EU budget than they put in each year, so the majority of EU member states will still want to see the budget carry on growing won’t they? Thus EU Commission will find it very hard to get majority agreement to any cut in the budget.

If I could see my poorer economy being propped up by these EU central subsidies I wouldn’t be inclined to agree to any freeze or cuts, I’d want the budget to grow and grow as it would be in my interest.

Conversely, richer economies that have previously underwritten the poorer States now find the wider recession makes it harder to justify “spending” money outside their own economy when they will see no real benefit.

I think it is only now that leading States like Germany and France are starting to realise just what a monster they have created in their drive for a Federal Europe, both in terms of the single currency vehicle and the enlarged EU itself.

The diversity of economies, and expanded membership, mean the original “EEC” ideals may not fit as well as they once did?

It was nearer to 15% across the country, Paul!!:D We had 16% and and at least elected an Independent – how about you?

Hi Charlie,

Sorry for slow response, I think my home town hit a stunning 17.5% turnout, and East Sussex as a whole elected a Commissioner allied to the Conservative party – though only after “2nd choice” votes had been counted as she had insufficient majority on “first choice” votes.

Was it all worth £100M – somehow I doubt it, and has been said elsewhere, with a 15% turnout on average, typically split across 3 or 4 candidiates in most cases, few of the elected commissioners should feel that they really have a “people’s mandate”.

Now lets see what happens over the next four years…. that will really prove whether or not it was £100M well spent.

Any children available? – as long as they can count to 10!!:D

10! – You’re obviously expecting a higher than average turnout on your patch then Charlie 😀

We have had one candidate’s “flyer” through the letter box, otherwise heard nothing at all from any other candidates except for the blatant “pushing” on BBC Local news.

I can’t help but think BBC local channel has been “told” to promote/push the elections in hope of generating a turnout that might be deemed a suitable mandate for whomever gets elected. To be honest the “ask the panel” type interview on BBC South East simply degenerated into each candidate saying why the others were less well “qualified” than they were to hold the post.

Pi$$ poor performance all round if you ask me, I don’t think I’ll bother turning out myself. And, to be honest, I doubt that we’ll see any real change whomever gets voted in… more cuts, “massaged” crime figures, blah blah blah….. yawn.

.. as long as they don’t force their beliefs onto me, that is fine.

Bob, maybe I didn’t explain myself very well, I too totally agree that the idiot involved has no decency nor respect for the deeply held views of others (hopefully of the majority!), and I doubt he would have had the courgae to do the same act in front of a pub full of people (whether they were squaddies or not), but I think you make the same point that I was trying to make in your comment above.

Just because you and I, and many others, hold the poppy (and all it represents) very dear, I am not convinced “censorship” driven by the “bandwagon jumpers” is what WW2 was fought for is it?

Of course, as charliehunt says, we do not really live in a “free society” in UK these days, no matter how much we are told we do.

There are now so many Laws in place to “enforce” tolerance that society no long relies on a sense of decency, a respect for others, and ‘self-control’ to keep extreme views in check. If I aired my personal views on a number of emotive topics that have hit the press recently I would probably be arrested forthwith, as my views are far form “politically correct”, however I choose to respect those minority views even though I do not agree with them. Perhaps that’s where I differ from the ‘poppy-burner’?

No doubt many of those who gave their lives for their country would, indeed, shake their head in dismay at the way things are here in UK these days, but at least we do not (yet?) live in a totalitarian society where any and every sign of dissent is stamped upon – though I fear we are heading that way?

All too often I sense the minority view gets protected whilst the view of the oft all too silent majority is seen as something that can (must?) be sacrificed for fear of offending the sensibilities of so many all too-vocal minorities.

No I would not burn a poppy, or any other symbol or text held sacred by any religion or group, but I think that making a song and dance out of someone who does so simply increases their own belief that they are saying is important and worth listening to. Ignore them and they’ll usually go away…. play up to them and they get an over inflated opinion of themselves and of their somewhat misguided view of the world.

Why shouldn’t he burn a poppy, photograph it, put it on facebook? It’s up to him. he has the right to protest, be offended or be obnoxious if he so wishes.

Distasteful as it may be, I think Snapper is right, the brave lads and lasses died so that we live in a free society, where we have the freedom to express our thoughts, even if they are at odds with most right-minded people (though only up to a certain point these days, as soon as some one takes offence at what I say then I stand a risk of being accused of inciting “hate crimes”).

Had the BBC ignored the matter it would have faded away, and the idiot would have realised few people agree with his sad views. Now the sad idiot gets the “front page” headlines and attention he no doubt craved….

– I’m with Propstrike on this one (post 6)….. if I try hard enough I can find something somewhere on the web to upset me 24/7…. but I have better things to do with my time.

Paul F

Haven’t been to Hendon for a few years, would be great to catch up with other Forum members…its a few years since I attended a forum “event” (visit to DeH museum at Salisbury Hall I think). Yes, definitely interested, all depends on dates etc.

Paul F

A few photos

The photobucket page below (sorry haven’t worked out how to past a hyperlink yet!) shows a few photos from an hour or so I spent wandering around the old Farnborough Wind Tunnel area one sunny Sunday afternoon last summer.

http://s395.beta.photobucket.com/user/PaulGFry/library/201108%20RAE%20Farnborough

Despite the encroachment of new development, the area is so atmospheric, well worth a wander, even on days when the tunnels are not open to visitors. Its just a shame so little of the former RAe remains. Still, at least the tunnels were saved!

Park outside the hotel/pub/coffee bar/gym complex just round the corner from the skeleton of the old demountable airship hangar and its a minute’s walk through to the heart of the wind tunnel area.

I too will be watching out for tunnel open days Tony… I assume FAST will carry details on their webpage? Luckily I have family in the area so they will give me the “nod” if they see anything in local media.

Paul F

P.S. Looks like I did post as a hyperlink – more by luck than judgement!