Why I am saying "VOTE NO" to Birmingham Mayors

I had the vans advertising boards freshened up on Friday for this upcoming week.

As many of you will know, this week Birmingham and Coventry are having a vote on whether they should have elected mayors.

I am firmly in the no camp for many reasons,

 After actively campaigning on the streets of Birmingham and Coventry it is clear to me that there is no public desire for an elected mayor

To make such a fundamental change in local governance, it is for those who wish to pursue change to make the case.

They have failed to do so.

David Cameron has made no secret of his hope that core cities across England will choose to be governed by democratically elected mayors; however, he is not offering to foot the bill.

My message to David Cameron is “It’s the cost, stupid!”

Politicians and entourages cost money, more to the point, tax-payers money. At a time of public service cut backs and job losses, the last thing we want is another overpaid, overinflated ego politician taking an extra cut.

We have seen in the West Midlands the people of Stoke voting to remove an elected mayor, and there will be a similar vote in Doncaster.

This is an experiment we can ill afford in a time of austerity.

In my opinion, we only need two layers of governance in the UK; local and central. All else is expensive fluff and unnecessary.



The van shall be travelling around Birmingham and Coventry this week ahead of the votes on Thursday.

Signing the Justice 4 the 21 Campaign

Just signed the "Justice 4 the 21" campaign petiton, which seeks to obtain justice for the families of the victims. Please support

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/24443

Issues at Coventry City FC

If you follow my twitter account you will have noted that Coventry City fans are increasingly worried about the future of he club.

At Coventry City last month - I want a long and happy future for this West Midlands club!

It has been recently reported in the press that the club have failed to pay their rent this month for the Ricoh Arena. More information on that story is here.

As I see it at this moment of time, I believe that the longevity and future of CCFC is dependent on all parties involved with CCFC having a workable, happy relationship. A working relationship will enable all parties to discuss the clubs finances openly and will allow for discussions about the clubs future, without threats and mud slinging in the press.

Coventry City Football club is incredibly important for both the fans and the area itself. Football is a sport that unites people from all backgrounds, and Coventry City have alot to be proud of.

Fans are acutely aware of financial deals which have been made in the past that now threaten the clubs future. Now that the club are facing the future in League One, there needs to be clear and consistent dialogue to ensure all parties are fully aware of the change of circumstance and have a plan in place for a brighter future for the club.

I  will be in contact with all the parties involved on a variety of issues:

1. I will contact ACL/ Coventry City Council to request a meeting to discuss the current situation at the club. I would like to be able to take all constituents concerns forward to the council, and discuss pertinent issues such as the rent situation at the Ricoh.

2. I will attempt to establish dialogue with SISU. Many constituents have approached me as they are worried that the issues surrounding Coventry City FC are not crystal clear, and they want a clear outline on how SISU see the future of the club.

Although many fans are understandably anxious and want action right now, I do not expect progress overnight. I will however keep everyone updated with information as I receive it.

EDIT:

Photos of the letters that have just been put into the post. I have sent identical letters to the Council and ACL, whilst Tim Fisher of SISU has a different letter.

A visit to Birmingham City FC

I attended Birmingham City's last home match of the season on Saturday to visit my sponsored player, Boaz Myhill.

The Blues won 2-0 which has secured them a place in the playoffs. Alongside Nuneaton, they are two of my sponsored teams who have the potential to be promoted through the playoff system.

I also took the chance to get my obligatory mascot photo with Beau and Belle.

PRESS RELEASE: Nikki slams Council reaction to protest camp

Nikki Sinclaire MEP says Councils reaction to Protest Camp is Innappropriate and Unreasonable


West Midlands Independent MEP, Nikki Sinclaire has hit out at Solihull Councils insistence that the protesters in Meriden should dismantle their protest camp almost one year than the perpetrators of the unlawful occupation of green belt land have to vacate.


Ms Sinclaire said "This is double standards by Solihull Council and a slap in the face to ordinary, law abiding local residents - the councils handling of this protest against inappropriate development on green belt in itself inappropriate and unreasonable."


Ms Sinclaire who sits on the EU's Human Rights Committee has long been a critic of the European Human Rights laws that create situations like this and she has repeatedly called for "equal rights not special rights."


Nikki has promised to stand shoulder to shoulder with the local residents on this matter commenting. "it is in our national heritage to be able to peaceably protest - and that's what I will stand up for"

Campaign for a Referendum goes to Stafford

PRESS RELEASE: Nikki Sinclaire MEP Challenges the Commission Over Unemployment - "Admit to Your Negligence!"

Nikki Sinclaire MEP Challenges the Commission Over Unemployment - "Admit to Your Negligence!"

 

€82Billion sitting idlely in Commission

 

Issue Date: 24^th April 2012

The European Union has 82 billion euros it needs to use by 2013, and seemingly no concrete plans as to what to do with it. This is at a time of economic crisis and growing unemployment.

The money is sitting in the bank accounts of the European Structural Fund a €347 budget (2007/13). This sum dwarfs the €76 billion that was allocated to the European Social Fund for the period of 2007-2013, which is intended to stimulate employment.

British MEP Nikki Sinclaire has slammed the European Commission, asking them in a formal parliamentary question to admit to their negligence. "1 in 5 young people under the age of 25 in the EU cannot find a job, and this money - given by taxpayers - is just sitting there. 7.5 million people between 15 - 24 are neither in work, education, or training. The Commission is presiding over the creation of a lost generation, and this is a tragedy that Europe will have to live with for a long time" she said in Brussels today.

Miss Sinclaire is a member of the European Parliament's Employment Committee, where she is often outspoken in her criticism of the EU and in her defence of British workers interests. Last year she exposed the fact that whilst being a major contributor to the EU budgets, the British government had failed to make any use at all of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) which is intended to help to retrain redundant workers. "With up to €500million available each year, money has gone to retrain workers from such companies as Nokia, Peugeot, Renault, Volvo and others on the continent, but not one single penny has ever gone to redundant British workers." She revealed. This is despite the fact that the EGF actually has a UK representative in the Department for Work and Pensions

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

The EU allocated €347 billion to its 'Structural Funds' for the period 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013.  €76bn of this is allocated to the European Social Fund, with the aim of creating employment.

Between 2007-2013 England will receive £2.5 billion is from the European Social Fund (ESF), but this is subject to match-funding by the UK government.

http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=326&langId=en

Triple Decker Football Weekend

After a busy week in Strasbourg, it was good to wind down with a football match - or three!


Pictured above is myself and Adam Walker, who is my sponsored player at Nuneaton Town FC.


I was invited to go and watch Nuneaton as a part of my sponsorship package this season, and the match on Saturday was against Colwyn Bay FC. The match ended 1-1 and I had a thoroughly enjoyable day out.


Sunday morning saw me travel to Liverpool to watch the first half of the Birmingham City Ladies Vs Everton ladies match. I would have liked to have stopped longer but Liverpool were at home this weekend!

Although I may have only managhed to catch 45 minutes of the action, I enjoyed watching Birmingham Ladies and I'm sure I'll go to one of their home fixtures in the near future.

I have very little to comment on the Liverpool match :)

Comisserations to Coventry City FC who had their relegation confirmed from the Championship to League 1. I hope that they will bounce back with an automatic promotion next season.

Voting against the Passenger Name Record

As mentioned on my twitter account earlier (you can see my feed to the right of this blog!), I have voted against the Passenger Name Record. Constituents have already started to email me about this issue.

More information on PNR is featured in a story from the Parliament magazine:

http://www.theparliament.com/press-review-article/newsarticle/meps-approve-controversial-pnr-agreement/

I have voted against this agreement as there is no reciprocity here at all - it is purely about the transfer of PNR to the US.

Note also that the US can transfer PNR to 3rd party states (Art 17 - 1). The member states affected by this need only to be notified after the event.

It is interesting to note that Conservative MEP's voted for this agreement.

Speech in Strasbourg: No to the European Human Rights Law

As an MEP I deal with constituency issues on a daily basis; issues where EU law affects their daily lives either directly or indirectly.

I am here today to tell you that there is one deeply flawed law that above all others, damages British life and put our lives in daily peril.

It is the Human Rights Act. It is a rotten law that Britain loathes

Human Rights are worth protecting.

 I am vocal in the protection of Human Rights.

The Human Rights Act was created in Britain by the Labour Party who despite warnings were reckless as to the consequences.

However, this EU-backed, and now soon to be enshrined law is now routinely and regularly abused by those who cause havoc in civil society: terrorists, criminals and illegal immigrants.

More often than not judges whom apply Human Rights Law decide that those rights trump those of the majority decent, honest hard-working British people. 

The case of Abu Qatada is attracting media attention. Human Rights Law, by allowing Qatada to dodge deportation to Jordan, has inflamed the British public.

Simply, the Court of Human Rights leaves Britain unable to defend its interests. In a recent survey, 75% of British people think that the Act should be scrapped all together.

It is the Lisbon Treaty that allows the EU to sign up to the ECHR which further imprisons the British public who never got a chance to say no by referenda.

Let me tell you the British people are shouting loud

No the European Human Rights Law Release us from the shackles

Taking up my seat on the parliamentary delegation to Chile

I have now taken up a seat on the parliamentary delegation to Chile.

As well as parliamentary committees, MEPs also sit on 'delegations'. These are similar in structure to committees, but their purpose is to engage with other countries and blocs outside the EU. There are 41 such delegations.

When taking up my seat as an MEP I was told, along with my colleagues, that UKIP would not take part in these delegations as they were simply opportunities for 'taxpayer-funded jollies'. In fact, this was not the full truth.

Without our knowledge or permission, our seats on delegations were being traded away in order to attract more members into the EFD group. One Danish MEP, who has subsequently left the EFD to sit alongside the British Conservatives, at one point sat on no less than 6 delegations.

Our seats were traded away and given in some cases to pro-EU MEPs. Instead of giving us the opportunity to engage with foreign governments and tell them the truth about the EU, we were handing our swords to the enemy. All this was hidden from us.

Of course, we could have taken our seats on the delegations and refused the junkets; much of the work is done in Brussels and through one to one meetings anyway.

The value of this work to the national interest cannot be underestimated, and I will give just two examples. The delegation to Chile, for example, was until recently chaired by a Spaniard, and at the time of writing there are no less than 5 Spanish members compared to one Briton. The Spanish have strong economic and political interests there, of course.

More significantly, the delegation to Mercosur, the South American trading bloc that includes Argentina, is also chaired by a Spaniard, again one of five Spanish members, and there is not one single British delegate. There is nobody on that delegation to put the British case to Mercosur. As we approach the 30th anniversary of the liberation of the Falklands, let us remember this: we need to be on the battlefield in order to win the battle.

I am afraid that there may also be another reason why some MEPs are more comfortable not engaging: they simply do not understand what is going on in Brussels and Strasbourg. It is far easier to sit on the sidelines cat-calling then to enter the debate at a meaningful level. This is a great shame. I remember the debate on whether or not UKIP should take up seats won in euro-elections. That was a divisive time in our party's history. What is the point of taking up a seat and then doing nothing with it? Ours is an important and noble cause, surely it deserves more exertion and effort than simply sitting on the sidelines and drawing a salary?

The beginning of Strasbourg

On my way to Strasbourg today. It will be a lengthy journey, made worse by the fact my first flight from Birmingham International was delayed, meaning that I'll now miss my connecting flight. A stressful start to the week. I have previously highlighted the problems in getting to Strasbourg, and the ridiculous costings of moving the European Parliament to Strasbourg for one week a month, the link to that post is here.

For those of you that are interested, the full agenda for this weeks session can be found on: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?family=AGENDA&reference=20120417&secondRef=SYN&language=en. I of course will report anything of note this week.

The Campaign team will be in Rugby tomorrow as was reported in the press release and they are hoping to collect plenty of signatures. Next Friday the team travel to Stafford.

The team will have a new batch of Campaign for a Referendum magazines with them, which will be hitting the doormats this week.

The new issue covers the continued work of the Campaign, an article with Tim Congdon CBE, a Thank You to James Goldsmith and the centre spread special timeline entitled "How we got into this mess"

As always, you can sign the petition online at www.HaveYourSay.eu

Campaign for a Referendum goes to Rugby

PRESS RELEASE

NIKKI SINCLAIRE GIVES RUGBY THE CHANCE TO “HAVE THEIR SAY” ABOUT EU

Issue Date: 16^th April 2012

Independent West Midlands MEP Nikki Sinclaire will be sending her Have Your Say Battle Bus to Rugby Market Place (Near the former D&A shop)  on the 18^th April 2012 from 10am – 3pm. Nikki’s highly successful campaign has been featured across the national press as she delivered 100,000 signatures to Downing Street on 8^th September 2011. The Campaign for a Referendum on our continued membership of the European Union is carrying on collecting signatures across the region, as well as giving out information and advice about MEP’s and European Matters.

Nikki wants a referendum so everybody has a chance to register their say on whether we should be a part of the European Union, and the West Midlands has contributed over half of the 100,000 signature total.

Anyone under the age of 54 has never had the chance to speak about this issue, which Nikki believes is a breach of our democratic principles. The last time the UK held a referendum on the Common Market, as it was known then, was in 1975 – and even this was retrospective. Despite the fact that this campaign could leave Ms Sinclaire without a job, Nikki is passionate that people be given a voice in deciding whether it is right that:

·         The UK contributes £48 million per day to the EU

·         75% of UK laws are decided by the EU yet the UK only has 72 MEPs in the Parliament out of a total of 736 MEPs

·         Each day we buy £5 million more from EU countries than they buy from us.

Commenting on her “Have Your Say” campaign, Nikki Sinclaire said, “European Law is rarely conducive or indeed relevant to British industry or infrastructure. The EU takes almost £50 million a day of our money for the privilege of belonging - money better spent in this country, where we need it most - on our hospitals, on our schools and in supporting our pensioners. When will the political elite realise that Britain cannot afford to remain in this Parliament?”

Like many towns across the UK, Rugby faces mounting cuts to public services. Nikki finds it a disgrace that even as the British public tightens its belt, the EU approves budget rises and other measures which will impact on the British pocket.

Nikki’s team of advisers will be with her mobile surgery at Rugby Market Place (Near the former D&A shop)   from 10am – 3pm to collect signatures for the campaign, hand out literature and to give out information and advice about Nikki and the European Union.

Campaigning in Lichfield

An incredible day weather wise for the team yesterday in Lichfield. The weather I'm told ranged from being freezing cold to hail storms! Despite all this, the team managed to collect plenty of signatures - the need for a Referendum is still high on the agenda for the people of Lichfield.

The team will be heading to Rugby next wednesday to collect more signatures for the campaign.

Check out the ice on that table!

Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base Proposals in Strasbourg

We are all preparing for next week's Strasbourg session. There are reports to pore over, voting plans to be made, and press to be contacted.

One of the issues being discussed next week is a proposal for a "Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base" for EU member states. Given the state of the Eurozone at the moment, I think that harmonising economic practices and criteria is a real no-goer!

I will always vote against such proposals.

Have Your Say goes to Lichfield

Independent West Midlands MEP Nikki Sinclaire will be sending her Have Your Say Battle Bus to Lichfield marketplace on the 12^th April 2012 from 10am – 3pm. Nikki’s highly successful campaign has been featured across the national press as she delivered 100,000 signatures to Downing Street on 8^th September 2011. The Campaign for a Referendum on our continued membership of the European Union is carrying on collecting signatures across the region, as well as giving out information and advice about MEP’s and European Matters.

Nikki wants a referendum so everybody has a chance to register their say on whether we should be a part of the European Union, and the West Midlands has contributed over half of the 100,000 signature total.

Anyone under the age of 54 has never had the chance to speak about this issue, which Nikki believes is a breach of our democratic principles. The last time the UK held a referendum on the Common Market, as it was known then, was in 1975 – and even this was retrospective. Despite the fact that this campaign could leave Ms Sinclaire without a job, Nikki is passionate that people be given a voice in deciding whether it is right that:

·         The UK contributes £48 million per day to the EU

·         75% of UK laws are decided by the EU yet the UK only has 72 MEPs in the Parliament out of a total of 736 MEPs

·         Each day we buy £5 million more from EU countries than they buy from us.

Commenting on her “Have Your Say” campaign, Nikki Sinclaire said, “European Law is rarely conducive or indeed relevant to British industry or infrastructure. The EU takes almost £50 million a day of our money for the privilege of belonging - money better spent in this country, where we need it most - on our hospitals, on our schools and in supporting our pensioners. When will the political elite realise that Britain cannot afford to remain in this Parliament?”

Like many towns across the UK, Coventry faces mounting cuts to public services. Nikki finds it a disgrace that even as the British public tightens its belt, the EU approves budget rises and other measures which will impact on the British pocket.

Nikki’s team of advisers will be with her mobile surgery at Lichfield marketplace from 10am – 3pm to collect signatures for the campaign, hand out literature and to give out information and advice about Nikki and the European Union.

ENDS

Nikki’s team of advisors will be in Lichfield from 10am – 3pm. Nikki Sinclaire is unavailable to attend this event.  

The team will be heading to Rugby next Wednesday, details TBC

For further information, pictures or interviews, please contact Nicole Carroll at the Office of Nikki Sinclaire on 0121 359 5933 or 07974233902

Community Led Bid for Sports Facility in Aston - An open letter to the council

I write with reference to the council’s planning proposals for the Aston Area of Birmingham under the Aston, Lozells and Handsworth Area Action Plan. The plan makes proposals for one site in particular which is the Serpentine site in Aston Hall Rd, Aston. This site consists of a large car park and a 2000 seated sports and community centre known as the Aston Arena which is under caretaker management and is hardly used by the community in the area at the moment.

The site has been designated as a Regional Investment site under the AAP with the most recent proposed amendments outlining its use for more shopping facilities and a gym. Local shop keepers are opposed to the plans and an overpriced Gym will not be accessible to many local residents. Local groups are afraid that only private developers will benefit from the plan for the site.

Fears now persist that as a prelude to the AAP plan the site will be cleared and the Aston Arena will be demolished. This would be a great loss to the local community and in particular to the committed group of local charities and voluntary organisations who have put together a vision and draft plan for the site to turn it into a key community asset with the help of Locality the national asset transfer body. Many industrial brownfield sites of similar size exist in the area so why do council plans seek to demolish the only site of community interest.

The proposal by Bidgley Powe,r a community based charity and 15 local and regional and national stakeholders sets out a compelling vision for the  site which would see amongst other things:

•Jobs created

•New homes built

•A vibrant sport and community Hub

•A community police station and library developed

The motivation of the group came from a strong voluntary sector being stifled by a chronic lack of facilities and funding in an area of high deprivation. The council’s leisure services decision to cut the funding to school based sites decimated local sports clubs, adult education and community meeting places in one stroke. Currently on 2 sites in the Aston area exist where these activities take place and these are very heavily oversubscribed.

Consultation by local stakeholders document how people living in the area feel disenfranchised from the political and planning process with many siting how the council does not listen to their voices and the lack of facilities affects their standard of living.

As a matter of clarification as to the future of the site can the council confirm the following?

•That the site is being transferred into the councils portfolio of property

•The buildings on the site and in particular the Arena will be demolished

•whether it has considered any other brown filed sites within the locality for its plans

•With current spending being cutback what plans do the council have replace sports and community facilities which have been lost in the area.

•Would the council support more consultation with local  groups on a community led vision for the site

Does the council really believe in the government ethos of localism through decentralization empowering individuals, local agents and communities through the big society or just ignore if it hinders commercial development of property for a profit.

I urge the council to listen to the voices of the people in the area, capitalise on the strength of the voluntary sector there and restore their faith in the political process by supporting this community led bid to transform the site into a vibrant hub leaving a lasting legacy in this Olympic year.

Campaign for a Referendum goes to Coventry

No, they haven't been sent to Coventry....

Press Release:

NIKKI SINCLAIRE GIVES COVENTRY THE CHANCE TO “HAVE THEIR SAY” ABOUT EU

Issue Date: 4^th April 2012

Independent West Midlands MEP Nikki Sinclaire will be sending her Have Your Say Battle Bus to Cross Point Tesco in Coventry on the 5th April 2012 from 10am – 3pm. Nikki’s highly successful campaign has been featured across the national press as she delivered 100,000 signatures to Downing Street on 8^th September 2011. The Campaign for a Referendum on our continued membership of the European Union is carrying on collecting signatures across the region, as well as giving out information and advice about MEP’s and European Matters.

 Nikki wants a referendum so everybody has a chance to register their say on whether we should be a part of the European Union, and the West Midlands has contributed over half of the 100,000 signature total.

 Anyone under the age of 54 has never had the chance to speak about this issue, which Nikki believes is a breach of our democratic principles. The last time the UK held a referendum on the Common Market, as it was known then, was in 1975 – and even this was retrospective. Despite the fact that this campaign could leave Ms Sinclaire without a job, Nikki is passionate that people be given a voice in deciding whether it is right that:

·         The UK contributes £48 million per day to the EU

·         75% of UK laws are decided by the EU yet the UK only has 72 MEPs in the Parliament out of a total of 736 MEPs

·         Each day we buy £5 million more from EU countries than they buy from us.

Commenting on her “Have Your Say” campaign, Nikki Sinclaire said, “European Law is rarely conducive or indeed relevant to British industry or infrastructure. The EU takes almost £50 million a day of our money for the privilege of belonging - money better spent in this country, where we need it most - on our hospitals, on our schools and in supporting our pensioners. When will the political elite realise that Britain cannot afford to remain in this Parliament?”

Like many towns across the UK, Coventry faces mounting cuts to public services. Nikki finds it a disgrace that even as the British public tightens its belt, the EU approves budget rises and other measures which will impact on the British pocket.

Nikki’s team of advisers will be with her mobile surgery outside Cross Point Tesco in Coventry from 10am – 3pm to collect signatures for the campaign, hand out literature and to give out information and advice about Nikki and the European Union.

ENDS

Big Brother is watching you...online?

No, this isn't a blog about George Orwell's book 1984, but shades of his fictional tale seem to ring true in a story that has dominated the newspapers today.

'Listening' agency at GCHQ will be able to monitor who you contact
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2123512/Facebook-emails-texts-logged-snoopers-charter-Tories-revive-plans-online-surveillance.html#ixzz1qtaxxyzi

This is a story which originates from a piece of EU legislation, 

DIRECTIVE 2006/24/EC

on the retention of data generated or processed in connection with the provision of publicly available electronic communications services or of public communications networks and amending

Directive 2002/58/EC

You can read this directive in full on the following link:

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ%3AL%3A2006%3A105%3A0054%3A0063%3AEN%3APDF

Campaign for a Referendum visits Bedworth