Daily Archives: 6 Aug 2016

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6 Aug 2016

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Andrew Moulding, Democracy, EDDC

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EDDC Freemasons: get that Caribbean spirit and smile!

We know that there are several Freemasons at East Devon District Council. Current declarations of interest show four Freemason councillors: Ian Hall (Axminster), John Humphries (Exmouth), Andrew Moulding (Axminster) and Tom Wright (Budleigh). Officers are not obliged to make Declarations of Interest.

So, EDDC Freemasons – loosen up, smile and go to visit Caribbean or West Africa Lodges to feel the joy! It’s what your Pro Grand Master wants!

“Older freemasons are being told to smile, look like they are enjoying themselves, and avoid criticising as the movement seeks to keep millennial masons happy and halt a decline in membership that has seen lodges closing at a rate of nearly 100 a year for the past decade.

Pro Grand Master Peter Lowndes, second only to the Grand Master the Duke of Kent, the Queen’s cousin, told senior brethren gathered in the Grand Temple, wearing white gloves, aprons and, if suitably qualified, the Royal Arch Breast Jewel: “I am not for one minute suggesting we try to turn our meetings into a pantomime, but most certainly I am saying there is no harm in being seen to enjoy ourselves.” …

… “We can probably all cite instances when a more senior member of a lodge is less than sympathetic to a newer member who has, perhaps, had a few lapses during the ritual. In my view exactly the opposite reaction has the right effect. …

… It’s important in masonry to retain the dignity of what we are doing, but that shouldn’t stop the charity steward making some little quip about old Fred, and everybody laughing …

… “I am in absolutely no doubt, brethren, that, if we encourage and congratulate, rather than routinely castigate our new members we will go a long way to retaining them as members and finally turn around our drop in numbers, which, incidentally, is already happening in some provinces and districts.”

The Pro Grand Master also told the brethren inside the Grand Temple in Freemasons’ Hall that lodges with dwindling numbers could learn from the jollity of members in affiliated districts abroad.

“I have often thought,” said Mr Lowndes, “that if a lodge in this country has lost its way, it could do a lot worse than to get some members to visit some of our districts, particularly, dare I say in West Africa and the Caribbean, to see how much enjoyment can be derived from their meetings.”.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/freemasons-masons-decline-freemasonry-millennial-masons-united-grand-lodge-of-england-conspiracy-a7175966.html

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6 Aug 2016

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Police (local), Transport (local)

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Cut crime and improve public transport – at the same time!

If well-off people suddenly lost their driving licenses and had to take public transport, imagine how quickly their collective pressure could improve it.

But the REALLY rich will just employ a chauffeur!

“People breaking the law in Germany might soon find themselves relying on public transport or going on foot: A new law is planned that would mean offenders – especially wealthy ones – could lose their driver’s licenses.

German Justice Minister Heiko Maas has said he intends to introduce a draft bill by the end of the year that envisages suspending the driver’s licenses of people who break the law.

“There are cases, such as with very wealthy offenders, in which a fine does not have an effect,” he told the German news magazine “Spiegel” in an interview published on Saturday.

“But suspension of a driver’s license would have tangible consequences,” he said, adding that courts would decide on whether to use the penalty on a case-by-case basis.

The planned penalty is contained in the coalition contract drawn up by Germany’s government, which consists of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative bloc and the leftist Social Democrats.

“To create an alternative penalty to prison sentences in the case of people where a fine does not represent a perceptible setback, we will introduce license suspension as an independent penalty in adult and juvenile law,” the relevant passage says. ”

http://www.dw.com/en/germany-plans-to-introduce-license-suspensions-for-wealthy-offenders/a-19452905

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6 Aug 2016

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Accountability, Austerity cuts, Democracy, Hugo Swire, Neil Parish

Sharia law may stop MPs subsidised boozing completely

“MPs considered nationalising a Whitehall pub to avoid a drinking ban while they are relocated to the Department of Health’s offices for the duration of refurbishment works at the Palace of Westminster.

Richmond House, which hosts the department, is one of three government buildings owned by Middle East financiers who have bought into an Islamic bond issued by the government. One of its stipulations is that no alcohol will be sold on the premises.

To get around the restriction, some MPs proposed taking the Red Lion pub, located between parliament and Richmond house, into public ownership and banning entry to the general public. However, according to the Times, the move was opposed by Fuller’s Inns, the Red Lion’s owners, and a parliamentary subcommittee eventually ruled out the proposal.

Alternative drinking arrangements will still need to be made for MPs and peers – who at Westminster can choose from 10 licensed bars and restaurants – when they are moved out for the building’s renovation from 2020 onwards.

David Cameron, the former prime minister, unveiled the Islamic bond, known as a Sukuk, in 2013, as part of a drive to raise cash from Islamic investors, who cannot buy into interest-paying government bonds because of religious rules against usury.

Instead, the £200m bond sees investors effectively take ownership of three government buildings – Richmond House, Wellington House and a third Whitehall property – and take rent from the UK government for their use.

However, the small print of the deal means that the buildings must be run according to the principles of sharia law. Any attempt to serve alcohol in the buildings could lead to a conflict with investors. …

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/aug/06/mps-wanted-to-nationalise-westminster-pub-for-their-own-use

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6 Aug 2016

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Democracy, Hugo Swire, Sleaze

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“No other prime minister will hand out resignation honours after Cameron debacle, head of sleaze watchdog says”

“No future prime minister will publish a resignation list of honours after the “public outcry” over David Cameron’s controversial choices, Theresa May’s ethical standards adviser has said.

Lord Bew, who chairs the Committee on Standards in Public Life, told the Sunday Telegraph that the idea of prime ministers handing out honours to friends when they leave office is “over”.

He also appeared hit out at some people who enter the House of Lords but fail to contribute, insisting that a peerage must be a “job” and not an “honour”.

The criticism comes as Mrs May attempts to draw a line under the row by insisting she wants a more accountable honours system than the one pursued under her predecessor. … “

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/08/06/no-other-prime-minister-will-hand-out-resignation-honours-after/

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6 Aug 2016

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Consultation, Exmouth, Philip Skinner, Spin, Transparency

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Exmouth regeneration: Spin, Skinner, Spin!

Q: When is an answer not an answer? A: when it is an EDDC senior councillor’s answer!

Transcribed from Exmouth Journal:

Q – We mentioned the visitor’s survey. If the outcome of the survey is that overwhelmingly visitors like the seafront the way it is and don’t want much to change, will that be the way the council then proceeds?

A – “The visitors’ survey doesn’t involve local people, it’s for visitors only. It will give us an indication of what visitors perceive is a visitor wish list when they go on holiday, what they like to see.

The interesting thing is this survey is being conducted by the South West Research Company, and we looked for a company from the South West because, when we talk about benchmarking Exmouth Against other seaside towns, it’s no good trying to compare Exmouth against Blackpool. We wanted to try and compare a South West offer with other South West seaside towns and resorts so we can see where we are.”

Umm…and the answer to the question is…?!