Friday 8 April 2011

Earwigo, earwigo, earwigo - more taxes!

Alessandro Torelli, Wall Street Journal, posts on the fact that the European Union are to propose a Carbon Tax on fuels - and Open Europe press summary today contains a link to a German source that states that the Commission’s upcoming Energy Tax Directive will seek to make diesel more expensive relative to gasoline by taxing not only the quantity of fuel used but also its energy content - diesel fuel contains more energy than gasoline.

The decision to agree this may be taken by unanimity, however it is noted that were there to be a 'problem' (ie, it gets thrown out) some countries might agree to proceed under 'enhanced co-operation'. What is the betting that Huhne is already 'pressing' Cameron to participate in enhanced co-operation, should it be necessary? Not that that apologist for a Prime Minister, one who's green credentials are not in doubt, will need much 'pressing'....... (never yet heard of a politician who would turn down another chance to ensure that his second home and general expenses can be guaranteed).

On a separate subject and the potential for £millions as our contribution towards the bail-out for Portugal, I note that Labour are stating that 'some help' should be given to Portugal. As we were 'liable' for a contribution under the Lisbon Treaty, so will we be liable for a contribution to Portugal - yet still the 'blame game' is played by our politicians. Disingeniousness seems to be the 'buzz-word' with George Osborne stating that we would not 'write a cheque' as we did for Ireland. He is, of course, referring to the 'additional' amount we provided, over and above the mandatory amount we had to pay under the Lisbon Treaty. Likewise Balls warning that the Treasury should 'limit' the UK's contribution; likewise Fallon for still attempting to pin the blame on Labour, when it is known that agreement to this 'policy' had cross-party support; likewise Carswell who is now blaming 'permanent officials', whereas previously he was holding the politicans to account; likewise Hague who is still maintaining it is all Labour's fault; likewise Callanan for suggesting that the UK should refuse to take part - we can't, you blithering idiot!

I am reminded of a statement by H.L. Mencken:
"Under democracy one party always devotes its chief energies to trying to prove that the other party is unfit to rule--and both commonly succeed,  and are right.....history is simply a record of vacillations between two gangs of frauds."

6 comments:

GoodnightVienna said...

I admire your patience, Mr W,
especially on a Friday evening.

From time to time I tend to think that I've given enough links (see my sidebar) for people to muse things over and make up their own minds.

The ones that 'can', have or read blogs; the ones that 'can't' don't know what blogs are and just bang on to online newspapers.

Carswell/Hannan and now Callanan - how many more eurosceptic Conservative MPs will be rolled out before us until we realise that they're all one and the same?

WitteringsfromWitney said...

Now you're just getting cynical - like me!

Anyway, 'Friday'? - its just another day of more politician's lies..........

The words 'MPs' (ok, not a proper word), lamp posts and hemp are gradually forming themselves into a sentence, one of action - give me a few minutes and I will have solved it........

William said...

NO politician will ever do the only thing that will bring real change and an instant turnaround in the fortunes of the people who live upon these isles.

It's looking more and more likely that there will have to be a revolution and hopefully then we will end up with a system of anarchy like Belgium or a system of accountable politics like Switzerland or Iceland and be an independent nation once again.

Bring it on

WitteringsfromWitney said...

W: Favour the first part of your comment (revolution) and the last part (Switzerland) - Don't favour the Belgium option!

kenomeat said...

I fear, William, that the Icelandic government is pressing ahead with its application to join the EU despite a clear majority of Icelanders wanting to stay out.

WitteringsfromWitney said...

k: I fear you are right - yet another example of democracy in action!