Britain

What the EU papers say

Given the catastrophic and humiliating mishandling of the EU summit yesterday, I started compiling what the international press had to say about it. (My translations, linked to foreign language article. Where no link is provided, it is on the front page of the website)

FRENCH:
Le Monde: Britain more isolated than ever
Libération: A European agreement (without Britain)
Le Figaro: Only Britain sulks over european agreement
Le Figaro: London pushes itself away from the European Union

SPANISH:

El País: Europe advances leaving UK isolated
El País: UK stands outside the agreement to strengthen Europe
Público: The EU gets rid of the UK in new austerity treaty
ABC: UK leaves the inner circle
ABC: UK heads out
El Mundo: UK- isolated in the EU
El Mundo: UK stands alone in the EU after Hungary’s ratification
La Vanguardia: EU agrees more fiscal integration and London pulls away
La Vanguardia: Euro summit ends with more fiscal integration and UK self-exclusion

Speaking up for Languages at Labour Conference 2011

Conference,

Today, Europe celebrates the 10th Annual European Day of Languages, a European Union initiative to appreciate linguistic diversity in Europe and promote language learning.

You might think it a bit of an anorak subject, and perhaps it is, but as a trainee interpreter of French and Spanish, it’s my anorak subject.

Britain cannot afford to lose languages, and it cannot afford to rely on the popular myth that everybody speaks English.

Ironically, it is only because English is widely spoken that we have a responsibility to promote, learn and use foreign languages.

As the party of openness and diversity, this should be a core Labour principle in foreign policy and in British diplomacy.

In the European Union, if a meeting cannot find any available English interpreters, that meeting is cancelled. Delaying the exchange of ideas, slowing down government, and hindering reform.

That’s bad for Europe, and bad for Britain.

In Brussels, Britain is often underrepresented because of a lack of language professionals.

In Business, Britain loses out to foreign enterprise because of a lack of language professionals. That means Labour loses the job creation and economic growth that goes with it.

English may be the lingua franca in many countries, but companies have to speak to customers in their own language.

So the business that do well are the business that go global.

As globalisation continues, languages are an obviously vital tool. Forging friendships, breaking barriers and sealing deals.

The Labour Party must be open to Europe.

Britain in the world needs languages, which is why, on the 10th European Day of Languages, Labour must not let Britain get tongue-tied or lost in translation, but be ready to promote, encourage and develop languages professionals.

Thank you.

Vote Hadleigh and David TODAY

Westmoreland looks to be an exiting 5-way split, with 9 candidates from 5 different parties hoping to win 2 seats.

The polling stations are open for the local B&NES elections today until 10pm. Most people who intend to vote will have made up their minds which candidates and parties they will favour. But there may be some of you who remain ‘undecided’, feeling unsure who to vote for.

So, what can we say to you that might influence your decision in our direction? Many things, we think, but two in particular.

First, while all our opponents represent worthy causes, to which we also subscribe –  to make Westmoreland a cleaner and happier area; to attend better to environmentally-specific matters; to address more effectively traffic flow problems in the ward; to manage the council’s budget efficiently – we are the only candidates who are standing for election on an explicit fairness and justice platform. That is to say, we want to be councillors in order to address local concerns in ways that privilege the less well off members of the ward, which means we would contest any cuts in council expenditure that threaten to diminish the quality of life of its most vulnerable residents.

And, second, if elected, we would work tirelessly within the area to help build a community whose members live together, freely, in a spirit of tolerance and respect. So, in addition to representing responsibly the ward’s interests at council meetings, we would create new opportunities within Westmoreland itself for its residents to lobby us about issues which concern them, beginning with holding regular public meetings and frequent surgeries and establishing a website to assist the exchange of views and foster debate about matters of common concern.

You’ll have two votes for two Councillors: Vote Labour
Vote David HALPIN
Vote Hadleigh ROBERTS

Bath Yes!tival in full swing

The big Yes to AV campaign rally in Bath this afternoon. I don’t think I need to add anything, except another angle:

Pics courtesy of my friend Les Skipper.

Hadleigh Roberts in Private Eye

On Page 9 of issue 1286 of Private Eye (15-28 April 2011) I was surprised to see this little article!

Launching the Local Labour Campaign

Ah-ha! I told you I’ve been busy. In addition to dealing with all my essays, exams and other student business, I’ve also been working hard in local politics!

Ben Bradshaw, MP for Exeter, came over to Bath to launch the Bath & North East Somerset election campaign in front of the guildhall with the candidates. The local press printed the headline “Labour to fight in every ward.” On the next page over, was the launch of the Lib Dem campaign, which, in my impartial opinion, looked a bit limp.

In the Local Elections that take place on May 5th. I have been nominated, with my friend David Halpin, as the two Labour candidates in the Westmoreland Ward of Bath, currently held by two Lib Dems.

See you in May!