"Free" Market vs Immigration

Reading The Times this morning, I quickly passed over the sour grapes page. However, I was interested in the views on immigration expressed by Alice Thomson.  Her headline, "Brexit will do nothing to curb immigration," is concluded by the statement "the immigration issue is far more complex than our relationship with the EU, and bidding farewell to Brussels hasn't begun to solve it." I think she means "complicated" rather than complex, but never mind. Leaving that aside, surely the very act of leaving the EU removes one of the major complications of our immigration policy? Leaving the EU, "bidding farewell to Brussels," is a vital first step in simplifying the complication of immigration and we should all rejoice at the prospect.

Then, in the leader,  the cliche "access to the single market."  What exactly does this mean?  If I feel the need to attend a gymnasium, I could buy an annual/life membership and obtain full access to all the myriad facilities at any time.  On the other hand, more prudently, I may decide that I only need periodic access to some of the equipment and may elect to pay-as-I-go accordingly.  The free market in services might be high on my list of priorities but I may not be so interested in fish, food or energy.  Surely this analogy applies to our access to the "single market?"  "Ah, but you can't come to the gym unless you share everything with the other members," seems to be the management objection.  My answer would probably be that, in that case, I will find another gym.  Unlike Mr Cameron's ill-fated "renegotiation, earlier this year, let's not walk naked into the conference chamber - the UK hand is strong so let's play it that way and not reveal our negotiating position in advance.

Minding The Gap

Instead of threatening to punish the electorate that dared to defy Project Fear, the Chancellor may care to look behind his sofa to plug any short-term gap in public finances.  Four obvious areas suggest themselves:

• Cancel HS2
• Reallocate the UK overseas aid budget (0.7% GDP)
• Get on with process of leaving and spend our recovered EU contributions on current UK expenditure
• Cancel Hinkley Point.

Meantime, when are we going to hear just one thing positive about leaving and why don't the BBC and C4, in particular, try to find someone who isn't whinging and crying foul to interview?

Conservative Leadership

Don’t think of problems – view problems as opportunities say the professional motivators.   Still pinching myself over the result of the referendum, my euphoria is tempered by the enormity of the task ahead.  So far, predictably, the BBC has focussed on problems but I feel sure wiser heads in the Conservative party are already eying up the opportunities.  However, the optimum path out of the EU for United Kingdom is unlikely to be defined without firm political leadership.

Those of us who have been utterly dismayed by David Cameron’s remain campaign will feel it right that he has signalled his intention to leave office and grateful that he has, at least, allowed time for an orderly succession.  Lord Hill, the “Brussels Miscalculator”, has wisely followed suit and there should be more of the PM’s limp cohort of European advisors who should consider their EU pensions.  But at some stage the score-settling must be halted and political energy focussed on the considerable task ahead.  Accordingly, it is to be hoped that the Conservative leadership issue is settled quickly (unlike the application of “Article 50”).

So far, all the talk of leadership candidates has concentrated on Boris Johnson, Michael Gove, Nicky Morgan and Theresa May (I do not underestimate the role paid by Pritti Patel and Andrea Leadsom and I hope they are suitably rewarded).  Let us dismiss the Education secretary straight away, despite her early application, since no one could be sure what she believed in from one day to the next.  The remaining three candidates are commanding political figures with the intellect, effective intelligence and leadership qualities sufficient for the highest office.  However, the incoming leader would face 2 huge problems.  Firstly, the need to unite the party behind the defined policy.  Given that the majority of Conservative MPs did not support Leave, for one reason or another, it will be a formidable task to bring them willingly onto the new team.  Indeed, even within Leave there will be differences of opinion on the way forward.  Secondly, it will be important to maintain the public support for Leave and the momentum for change.  In this regard it will be vital to show some immediate reward – some red meat for the expectant supporters of the campaign.

Both Boris and Michael, towering figures though they are, have blood on their hands and may not be easily forgiven by the losers who must now be rehabilitated.  Neither could win outright. A contest between the 2 would be an unnecessary distraction to a party which already has its hand full.

Theresa, on the other hand, appears to have made few enemies during the campaign.  She is a respected and commanding figure who could heal wounds and, if necessary, knock heads together.  She is a woman which could be an enormous electoral advantage, should that become necessary.  Most importantly, as a very long serving Home Secretary she knows all about immigration.  Some demonstrable measures on immigration to show that the Government had heard the message from the referendum vote could provide the “quick win” that a large proportion of the Leave vote expect.  Theresa May will know what is both eye-catching and practicable and will have the personal credibility to deliver.

A leadership selection process is inevitable but it is, nevertheless, a distraction from immediate business so a short and sweet process will serve the interests of the UK best. Despite their obvious claims to the throne, both Boris and Michael should put the interests of the country first.  The whole party must put aside tribalism for the good of the country.  Surely all Conservatives could rally to that banner?  Specifically, Boris and Michael (and any other candidate) should be flattered to be considered and then stand gracefully aside allowing Theresa May to assume the leadership unopposed.

And not by eastern windows only,
When daylight comes, comes in the light;
In front the sun climbs slow, how slowly,
But westward, look, the land is bright!

Vote Early - Vote Often

I have received and returned my postal vote.  I have to say, I found the instructions on how to fill out and return the completed form rather confusing so I have produced my own handy picture guide.  I hope readers find it helpful?