Thread: Everyone must love the EU... says Tony Blair

Yeah and we don't want NO stinking NAU either! A few articles from the UK.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/a ... ge_id=1770

Everyone must love the EU... says Tony Blair
By SIMON WALTERS Last updated at 21:22pm on 2nd December 2006

Comments Reader comments (55)
Headlines

A multi-million pound paganda war to force the British people to love the European Union and Brussels bureaucrats is to be launched by Tony Blair as part of his legacy as Prime Minister, it has been revealed.

The operation to overcome strong opposition to the EU in Britain and soften them up in the event of fresh moves to forge closer links with Brussels was secretly agreed by Mr Blair and his Ministers at last week's Cabinet meeting.

Details of the plan, obtained by The Mail on Sunday, show how the Prime Minister is so frustrated at his failure to persuade voters that the EU is a good thing, he is to spend a fortune from public funds in a final attempt to brainwash them before he resigns next year.

They include banning Ministers and officials from referring to unpopular EU institutions like the European Commission, places such as Brussels and Strasbourg, the euro currency, terms like 'Eurocrat' and 'EU directive' and controversial policies such as the Common Agricultural Policy and the EU constitution.

Instead they have been ordered to try to promote the 'EU brand' by linking to popular European events and institutions such as the Eurovision song contest, the Cannes Film Festival and the UEFA soccer organisation that runs the Champions League tournament - even though none of them has anything to do with the EU.

Every Whitehall department is to appoint a spin doctor responsible for promoting the EU. And Downing Street will draw up an 'EU Grid' to make sure stories portraying Brussels in a good light are leaked to the media on a regular basis.

The leaked plans state that propaganda must be tailored to win over all groups by encouraging them to think that 'as a tourist, as a mother, as a birdwatcher, as an entrepreneur... the EU is relevant and can make a difference.'

More controversially, it suggests Ministers should not waste their energies trying to win over the elderly and people with few academic qualifications.

It says the 'young and educated' have much more appetite for learning about Europe than 'the old and uneducated'.

The plans were drawn up on Mr Blair's instructions by Whitehall's £180,000-a-year head of communications Howell James, a close friend of EU Commissioner Peter Mandelson.

Mr James had a relationship with Mr Mandelson's partner, Brazilian Reinaldo da Silva, before Mr Mandelson met him.

Mr Howell's links with Mr Mandelson are thought to have been a factor when he was appointed as Whitehall's first permanent secretary in charge of media relations two years ago.

At last week's Cabinet meeting where the EU propaganda campaign was approved, Ministers were told it was needed because of a growing expectation that Brussels would revive plans for an EU constitution, further reducing Britain's ability to govern itself.

The constitution was abandoned last year after it was rejected by voters in France and the Netherlands.

They will shortly receive a 'new core script and toolkit' suggesting that issues such as climate change, Blue Flag beaches, cheap flights and cheap mobile calls when abroad should be emphasised with the EU downplayed.

The paper presented to the Cabinet by Mr James complained of the continuing 'negativity and euro scepticism' among British voters, adding: "Indifference and apathy remains significant." Ministers must claim victories for Brussels, not Britain. "There is a risk of overplaying the UK's role and achievements at the expense of the EU,' it stated.

The new pro-EU message will be dumbed down, using a 'reframed and compelling narrative with accessible and "friendly" themes, wherever possible steering away from institutions, politics and legislation'. And pro-European politicians should be replaced by pro-European celebrities with a 'range of non political voices'.

In one of the most controversial sections on 'rebranding the EU', the Cabinet paper provides a chart showing the most unpopular aspects of the EU: the constitution, the commission, Brussels, Strasbourg, the Common Agricultural Policy, Eurocrats and the euro, described as issues towards which the public feels 'cold'.

They are contrasted with popular - or 'warm' - aspects of Europe, including UEFA, the Eurovision Song Contest, the Cannes Film Festival and Liverpool, Europe's "Capital of Culture' for 2008, though none have EU links. The best-known 'warm' EU topics were its Pet Travel Scheme and the EU-sponsored "Blue Flag' clean beaches.

Titled Reframing The Debate, the paper says Ministers must use 'themes with a "natural" European dimension to maximise impact and increase familiarity with Europe'.

The objective is to 'realign the EU brand via alliances with familiar, trusted organisations and brands'.

A new network of Whitehall spin doctors with orders to promote the EU has been created, with one senior "Press co-ordinator' in all 23 Government departments.

They will help No 10 draw up a 'rolling grid of upcoming EU issues' to ensure British voters are fed with a constant diet of pro-EU news.

Mr James told Ministers Press releases about the EU must be censored, removing references to the EU and its directives.

Instead they would refer to 'Europe' - which Mr James describes as 'a European sub brand' which people warm to.


(this next one sounds like our out of touch elected officials here in the good ole USA! While the elected officials enjoy hugh salaries for not much work plus more benefits than the citizens get, our wages and benefits continue to go down the toilet!)

http://link.toolbot.com/dailymail.co.uk/25949



MPs demand 66 per cent pay rise
By KIRSTY WALKER Last updated at 22:09pm on 3rd December 2006

Comments Reader comments (101)
House of Commons

Outrage: The hike would see the annual House of Commons salary bill soar from £39million to £65million
Headlines

MPs are facing a furious public backlash after demanding their pay should rise to £100,000 a year.

Backbenchers have written to the independent body which sets their salary, seeking an eye-watering 66 per cent increase on the current £60,277.

They claim the huge hike would simply put them on a par with other senior public sector workers such as GPs and council chiefs.

But at a time of unparalleled public distrust in MPs, and generally low pay rises based on the inflation rate, they were warned that they are totally out of touch.

Their request was described as a 'kick in the teeth' by Keith Turner, 68, who has campaigned tirelessly for £2.50-a-day medication for Alzheimer's patients to be available on the NHS.

'I am absolutely disgusted,' he said. 'When you consider that it would cost about £1,000 a year to give a person their life back on these drugs, and you put it against what these MPs want, it is unbelievable.'

If the MPs had their way, the annual House of Commons salary bill would soar from £39million to £65million. On top of this, the 646 members last year claimed a total of £86.7million in expenses and office allowances – worth an average £134,000 each.

And the cost of running the House of Commons, including all lighting, heating, maintenance, subsidised food and staffing costs means that each MP already costs taxpayers a total of £726,000 a year.

Some Tories believe that a salary of £75,000 is a more realistic target and it is considered highly unlikely that the £100,000 request will be granted when the SSRB reports on MPs’ salaries in the New Year.

In any case, Gordon Brown would be expected to block such an inflation-busting rise. A spokesman for the Chancellor said: 'Gordon expects all branches of Government to observe discipline in their wage demands and that includes MPs.'

But Tory Sir John Butterfill, a former chairman of the backbench 1922 Committee, insisted that MPs' pay had fallen behind other professions.

'There are a lot of unhappy bunnies,’ he said. 'Not that many years ago, we were on a par with GPs and heads of comprehensive schools. They are now on £100,000. Over the years, we have been downgraded and compared to junior directors of middle-sized companies at the last review. But, even so, we have failed to keep up.’ The demands come at a time when confidence in British politicians is at an all-time low after of the cash-for-honours affair and other sleaze scandals.

Sir Alistair Graham, chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, recently revealed that seven out of ten voters believe MPs habitually lie, and that ministers are now seen as less trustworthy than estate agents.

Meanwhile, other workers in the public sector have been told to tighten their belts and are facing the threat of job cuts.

Since 1997, MPs’ pay has risen by 37 per cent – although the Commons sat for a mere 137 days last year.

Most work at Westminster for only 31⁄2 days a week and no longer have to stay for regular late-night sittings which were abolished three years ago.

Members can claim salaries for researchers, secretaries and other staff as well as travel on official business, office costs, stationery, postage and computer equipment.

They are allowed to claim for 350 miles of travel every month without submitting receipts.

There have been claims that MPs use their additional costs allowance to buy food processors, televisions and soft furnishings for their homes.

Last month, MPs voted to give themselves a £168million goldplated pension scheme and a new communications allowance, which will cost taxpayers a further £6million a year.

MPs have one of the most generous final salary pension deals in the country. An MP retiring today who has served 26 years could expect to collect an inflation- proof £40,000 a year.

James Frayne, campaign director of the Taxpayers’ Alliance, said: 'At a time when people have become totally disillusioned with the performance and behaviour of politicians, it is extraordinary they should be demanding that taxpayers pay them a six-figure salary.

'It reflects how out of touch politicians have become.'

Former anti-sleaze MP Martin Bell said: 'Serving as an MP is a privilege. The existing salary is well above the average earned by MPs' constituents. It is perfectly enough for people to live on.

'If an MP cannot live on the existing allowance, he or she he or she should make way for someone who can. I took a pay cut to become an MP, but still found it quite enough to live on.'

Paul Kenny, general secretary of the GMB union, condemned the claim at a time when low-paid public sector workers are having wage rises capped at 3 per cent.

He said: 'These are the same people who protected their own pension scheme but cut the pensions of the lowest-paid public sector workers.

'Is it any wonder that people are cynical about politicians? They are out to lunch and they want someone else to pay.'

Alzheimer's campaigner Mr Turner said: 'I think they are laughing at those who are less fortunate and most vulnerable, who are only asking for something they deserve and have paid for.'

And mother-of-three Ann Marie Rogers, 54, who was forced to take Swindon Primary Care Trust to court over its refusal to fund a £24,000 course of Herceptin for the treatment of earlystage breast cancer, said: 'I can't believe the MPs are asking for a rise like that. The country has gone crazy.

'What do they actually do for their money? The country is in a mess, there are homeless on the streets, and they are asking for a rise.'

I'll bet when Tony Blair looks into a mirror he sees George Bush's reflection.

The EU model has proven to be a disaster for the average citizen of England and other westernized EU countries. My neighbors from England have described the reality on the ground and it's truly a horror. If our lawmakers had even a shred of intelligence, conscience, or compassion toward Americans, they would not consider replicating this here. But we all know that they serve only their corporate masters while average Americans are left out in the cold.

They include banning Ministers and officials from referring to unpopular EU institutions like the European Commission, places such as Brussels and Strasbourg, the euro currency, terms like 'Eurocrat' and 'EU directive' and controversial policies such as the Common Agricultural Policy and the EU constitution.

It says the 'young and educated' have much more appetite for learning about Europe than 'the old and uneducated'.

At last week's Cabinet meeting where the EU propaganda campaign was approved, Ministers were told it was needed because of a growing expectation that Brussels would revive plans for an EU constitution, further reducing Britain's ability to govern itself.

The paper presented to the Cabinet by Mr James complained of the continuing 'negativity and euro scepticism' among British voters, adding: "Indifference and apathy remains significant." Ministers must claim victories for Brussels, not Britain. "There is a risk of overplaying the UK's role and achievements at the expense of the EU,' it stated.

The new pro-EU message will be dumbed down, using a 'reframed and compelling narrative with accessible and "friendly" themes, wherever possible steering away from institutions, politics and legislation'. And pro-European politicians should be replaced by pro-European celebrities with a 'range of non political voices'.

Mr James told Ministers Press releases about the EU must be censored, removing references to the EU and its directives.

.

Obviously Tony hasn't talked to the Scots, they hate it and for years they have been complaining about the exact same thing that is going on here now, all you need to do is change the name and location.

It says the 'young and educated' have much more appetite for learning about Europe than 'the old and uneducated'.

If they've done as well with their kids in school as we have here....that's a serious joke. Controlled and made stupid is more like it. The "intelligent" old are the one's who see what's happening.