politics – Chanters Lodge Livingstone

Chuka Umunna

Don’t usually blog about politics but this caught my interest. Could this chap be the UK’s first black Prime Minister? That’s the speculation in some circles.

“Chuka Umunna was elected as Member of Parliament for Streatham in May 2010, becoming the first MP for the constituency to have grown up in the area. He was selected as Labour’s parliamentary candidate for the seat in March 2008 by the Streatham Labour Party after Keith Hill MP, who first won the seat for Labour in 1992, announced his retirement at the next general election.

Born in October 1978, Chuka studied Law at the University of Manchester and the University of Burgundy, followed by Nottingham Law School. An employment law solicitor by profession, prior to his election Chuka worked at a law firm primarily acting for employees but also employers, having trained as a solicitor at a City law firm.

Chuka is a board member of Generation Next, a not for profit social enterprise providing activities for young people in London. He was formerly a trustee of the Anthony Bourne Foundation and the 409 Project – both youth charities – and has also served as a school governor of Sunnyhill Primary School and Children’s Centre in Streatham. He sits on the management board of Compass, the centre left pressure group and is a member of the Fabian Society, GMB and Unite. He is a patron of Latimer Creative Media, a social enterprise which trains young people in digital media and a supporter of Cassandra Learning Centre, a charity raising awareness and working to stop domestic violence.

In the May 2010 general election, Chuka was elected to represent Streatham having received 20,037 votes, with the number of votes received by Labour rising from 18,950 in the previous general election in 2005. Turnout in Streatham increased by 11.5 percentage points at 62.8% compared with 51.3% in 2005. In June 2010, he was elected by his parliamentary colleagues to serve on the Treasury Select Committee and in October 2010 was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary to Ed Miliband, Leader of the Labour Party.”

What do you think?

14
FEB

Africa, politics, uk

Zambia Tourism

I think the only part of this I really agree with is that we need more tourists. How many surveys and marketing plans do we need before common sense prevails and the obvious things are tackled – like the reintroduction of visa fee waivers for pre-booked bona fide tourists staying 2 nights or more, full and permanent VAT concessions, infrastructure improvements – electricity and water supply priority for tourist designated areas, roads, air links etc. And, of course, a fully funded and well managed Zambia National Tourist Board to promote our beautiful country overseas. Anyway:

“THE Tourism Council of Zambia says Zambia needs about 3.5 million tourist visitors annually to effectively contribute to new jobs and wealth creation. Council chairman Mark O’Donnell said Zambia does not get a fair share of tourism earnings with only 900,000 visitors expected in the country this year.

Mr O’Donnell, who is also Union Gold chairman, said this in Lusaka during a media training on Communicating Investment Climate Reforms in Lusaka. He, however, said the TCZ has engaged a foreign consultant on how to package and market Zambia in order to earn about US$300 million from visitors thereby creating investment opportunities.

“It is essential that changes take place, because the reforms are one way of improving the private sector business environment…we want to see the number of visitors increase and experience the best culture, adventure and wildlife,” he said. Mr O’Donnell called for reduction in the number of licences which he said breeds corruption.

“Tourism has been held back in Zambia because of some bureaucratic tendencies and red tape and through the Private Sector Development Reform Programme, we want to see these things changed,” he said.

He said the reforms in the Tourism and Hospitality Act will benefit the world’s largest industry to conform to best global standards to attract visitors, hence create jobs, wealth and generate revenue for Government which can be invested in infrastructure.”

11
NOV

Africa, politics, tourism, victoriafalls, Zambia

Andrew & Caroline Kashita

It was a first for us when Andrew and Caroline Kashita (pictured above) appeared on The Chanters Lodge Experience with the Milli Jam Ingredient ft George Soulchild, our regular Sunday night radio show that goes out on Zambezi Radio 107.7 fm at 20.30 hrs for an hour. Why? Well, they were the first Guests ever to be asked back for a second show! Why? Because they’re great people and huge supporters of Chanters Lodge, and Andrew Kashita is a former Minister who will not keep quiet! “You’ve been in the newspapers a lot recently concerning the ERB” said Milli Jam after the introductions and the first two tracks “what’s that all about”.

“Energy Regulation Board?” queried Andrew, “let me tell you about it”! He then went on to tell us, and the listeners, exactly what he thought of the ERB who are supposed to reconcile energy providers and consumers over tariffs, but in Andrew’s opinion and most of the country, they’re simply not doing their job! They’ve given the green light to increases in the cost of petrol and diesel of at least 30% this year, and electricity prices have just gone up by another 30% as well. Mr Kashita wished that Zesco, our monopoly electricity supplier, would look into cutting their costs as hard as they look into increasing tariffs. “Lots of blokes standing around with their hands in their pockets watching other people do the job” he observed, correctly.

“How many ministerial positions have you held?” Milli Jam wanted to know. “Three” came back Andrew as quick as flash “and I was fired from every one”! He went on to tell listeners that he was variously Minister of Mines and Industry, Minister of Communications and Transport and Minister of Works and Supply. He didn’t mention, but it’s a fact, that he was one of the first overseas qualified Zambian Engineers immediately after independence. He did go on to tell listeners that he’d enjoyed his time as a civil servant more than when he was a Minister, as he found it more rewarding in terms of achievements. He was instrumental in, or involved with Zambia Airways; Lusaka International Airport; Tazara; Ndeni Oil Refinery; Zambia’s microwave system; the introduction of cell phones in the country and the dismantling of UBZ to allow for the privatization of the coach/bus industry in Zambia.

The music on the show went down well. Ace of Base “Mr Replay” represents a return to form for that particular band, while we opened as usual with Aggro Santos “Candy”. We featured my two tracks of the moment, ‘Dynamite’ by Taio Cruz and ‘DJ Got Me Falling In Love’ by Usher. Milli Jam featured Charice – ‘Pyramid’ (special request from Monica, one of the Chanters Girls) and Kelly Rowland’s ‘Forever and A Day’. George’s local numbers were ‘If It’s Love’ by Brothahood Crew ft Kaufela and Tsoya – ‘Katwayeko Umbi’ (‘Go look for someone else’, we were told was the translation’).

Caroline enjoyed talking about her family. She and Andrew will be married 30 years soon. They have a son and a daughter, son Steven is an aero-nautical engineer in America and daughter Nonde is studying at Reading University in UK. They have a grand-daughter Aisha, just 16 months old, whom they hope will soon come and live with them in Lusaka.

We gave away the usual dinner for two at Chanters Lodge which was quickly snapped up by an alert listener in answer to our simple question, and as usual we greeted Guests, family and staff alike! We had messages while we were on air from Swithin Haangala, owner of 107.7 fm and DJ Wildfire a former 107.7 fm DJ, now making a name for himself in South Africa. Great!

Luckily and surprisingly there was no message from Zesco!

7
SEP

Africa, Chanters, Customers, electricity, energy, music, politics, radioshow, Zambia

Significant Development?

Don’t normally tangle with politics, particularly local politics, on the blog but this launch yesterday may, next year, mark an historical moment – or not, as the case may be! From LusakaTimes

“The long awaited United Party for National Development and Patriotic Front UPND/PF pact has finally been launched with the two pact leaders calling on the Zambians to take up a personal responsibility in cementing and securing the pact. And Patriotic Front leader, Michael Sata has alleged that the ruling movement for multi party democracy MMD led government yesterday sold off the Zambia telecommunications company ZAMTEL and leaving the workers unattended to as they moneys have not yet been paid.

Mr. Sata (lower picture) said that the current government is still being led under the first republic regime and that is why the MMD has continued to sell off the national resource without the consent of the people of this nation. He said that the ruling MMD is fully aware of the high level of poverty in this country but has decided to put a blind eye to the needs of the people and focus on enriching themselves at the expense of the people.

Meanwhile Mr. Sata has observed that the decision by government to jail post editor, Fred Mmembe who was yesterday sentenced to four months in prison with hard labour will cost the MMD. Mr. Sata said that the MMD could have thought of something better than jailing and detaining a journalist because he will expose them for who they really are and how they have failed to take care of the prisoners in this country.

And speaking earlier, UPND president, Hikainde Hichilema (up) charged that the MMD failure to put an end to corruption within the governing system has exacerbated the levels of poverty in the country. Mr. Hichilema said that the government has been unable to provide quality social services to the people of this nation and is largely responsible for the people’s suffering. Mr. Hichilema has also challenged the government to bring back the windfall tax in the mining sector.

6
JUN

politics, Zambia

10 Downing St

We don’t ‘do’ politics on the blog, but if we did we’d have found this rather funny! (courtesy of Roger Jones)

One sunny day in May, 2010 an old man approached the door of 10 Downing Street from across the street where he’d been sitting on a park bench. He spoke to the policeman standing guard and said, “I’d like to go in and meet with Mr Brown” The policeman looked at the man and said, “Sir, Mr. Brown is no longer the Prime Minister and no longer resides here.”
The old man said, “Okay”, and walked away.

The following day, the same man approached the door of 10 Downing Street and said to the same policeman,”I’d like to go in and meet with Mr Brown.” The policeman again told the man, “Sir, as I said yesterday, Mr. Brown is no longer Prime minister and no longer resides here.” The man thanked him and, again, just walked away.

The third day, the same man approached 10 Downing Street and spoke to the very same policeman, saying “I’d like to go in and meet with Mr Brown.”

The bobby, understandably agitated at this point, looked at the man and said, “Sir, this is the third day in a row you’ve been here asking to speak to Mr. Brown. I’ve told you already that Mr. Brown is no longer the Prime Minister and no longer resides here. Don’t you understand?”

The old man looked at the Bobby and said, “Oh, I understand alright, I just love hearing it!”

“The bobby snapped to attention, saluted, and said, “See you tomorrow, Sir!”

14
MAY

joke, politics, uk

The Cowpat Police

Don’t usually do politics but I loved this letter to the Daily Telegraph sent me by Roger Jones:

The Cowpat Police

SIR – A big idea that David Cameron’s Conservatives should get to work on is to put an end to the compliance culture.

I am a vicar, a chartered surveyor and a farmer. I have the diocese and county council making me prove every five minutes that I am not a pervert. I have the Government and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors poking their noses into the running of my business and ordering me to prove that my clients do not all act as bankers for al-Qaeda, and that I won’t run off with my tenants’ deposits.

My cows have compulsory passports. I cannot bury them if they drop dead, and now I must have a poo policy to prove that they will not plop too much in each paddock. All this has appeared under Messrs Blair and Brown.

If David Cameron wants to mend a broken society, he must get government and all the other self-appointed busybodies off our breaking backs so that we can regain the courage to be neighbourly, and to serve each other without constantly looking over our shoulder.

I want to be trusted again, according to my reputation, not according to the number of boxes that have been ticked.

Rev Simon Shouler
Long Clawson, Leicestershire

8
MAR

politics, uk

Ron Paul

Take careful note of this for the future – and remember I was very early to tell you to watch out for Barack Obama. From National Post via Ed my son.

“A year ago, American conservatives were dreading the onset of a new era of liberalism. Barack Obama was inaugurated as President and the media declared conservatism dead for at least the next eight years. Today, conservatives are re-energized and some even predict a Republican takeover of the House of Representatives, and perhaps even the Senate, in November’s mid-term elections.

Excitement and hope were palpable at this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), the annual confab of American right-wing activists which took place last weekend. But renewed optimism wasn’t the biggest story coming out of conference, it was the surprise victory of Representative Ron Paul in the annual CPAC straw poll of presidential contenders. Paul, the perennial outsider, garnered 31% of the votes, defeating names like former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney (22%), Sarah Palin (7%) and Newt Gingrich (4%).

Leaving aside the unscientific nature of the poll (only 24% of the record 10,000 attendees voted, and nearly half the delegates were under the age of 25), this result cannot be ignored and could be a portent for where the conservative movement is heading. Ron Paul is the unlikeliest of political stars. A doctor by training, he is a reserved, soft-spoken septuagenarian with ill-fitting suits and no particular charisma. Yet he has become a folk hero to legions of young, tattooed libertarians who advocate legalizing drugs, as well as to increasing numbers of conventional conservatives.

The reason? Paul is capturing the conservative zeitgeist. Known as “Dr. No” in Congress because he votes against everything, including awarding citizens the Presidential Medal of Freedom because he believes it to be an unauthorized use of public funds. Paul has become the vehicle through which devout libertarians believe they can become part of the mainstream.

Conservative activists may despise President Obama and his radical agenda, but they are almost as peeved with Republicans, who have shown over their time in power an inability to cut spending and reduce the size of government. Paul has become the standard-bearer of discontent with the Bush era’s “big-government conservatism.” One of his long-time hobby horses is shutting down the Federal Reserve and returning to the gold standard. To move that idea forward, Paul has introduced legislation that would require the Federal Reserve to be audited; the bill enjoys substantial support from Republicans and Democrats, with a staggering 313 co-sponsors. Passing such a law would have been considered total lunacy two years ago. Today, largely due to the Fed’s culpability in fuelling the 2008 financial crisis, the bill could become law.

Paul also wants to disentangle the U.S. from foreign involvement, including removing all troops from foreign soil and pulling out of the UN and NATO. The divide in the conservative movement over foreign policy is as pronounced as it’s ever been, with some openly questioning not only the 2003 Iraq war but the American presence overseas in general. Paul is attracting these people’s interest.

It is very unlikely Ron Paul will win the 2012 Republican presidential nomination, if he even runs, which is not a given. But Paul and his followers will still have an enduring impact on Republican politics in the coming years. Paul’s Campaign for Liberty, a grassroots organization dedicated to promoting and lobbying for limited government, is gaining influence among younger activists and providing a strong base of support to congressional candidates who support Paul’s brand of libertarian politics. If Paul himself doesn’t run, another candidate in sync with his views could step up to the plate and do very well.

It has become clear over the past year that despite the naysaying, America is still a centre-right country. It has a President trying to impose on it a left-wing agenda. The people are recoiling. One need only look at the recent election results in Massachusetts, New Jersey and Virginia to understand this. Democrats are on the run, and American conservatives can hardly wait until November.”

26
FEB

Economy, politics, usa

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