Nominations for Patriot

Patriotism, literally, means ‘love of ‘father’-land’.  This eleventh award of the Inaugural Conservative Movement Awards seeks to award a conservative who has acted upon their love of country in a significant way.  Your nominations and citations are sought for someone who understands the first duty of government to defend the realm, to stand up for the unity of the kingdom or believes that too many powers have been surrendered to supranational bureaucracies.  This award might be, for example, suitable for a regular author, a blogger, a campaigner or a parliamentarian.

Tomorrow we'll be opening nominations for the compassionate conservative award.

Comments

[Sarkis Zeronian]

Dan Hannan MEP - for taking the battle to foreign soil.

[Jonathan Sheppard]

Got be be EU serf for me!

[Andrew Woodman]

It's take your pick out of our 9 Euro Sceptic MEPs for me.

[Annabel Herriott]

Roger Helmer MEP ?? Did I spell that right?

[Rob Largan]

I think Roger Helmer's attack on Blair over the rebate deserves some recognition, as does Dan Hannan's excellent article in the Telegraph making the case for EU withdrawal.

[Jonathan Sheppard]

The reason I choose Serf is that in a way its the job of an MEP to be a patriot (well I think so anyway) and they get paid to do it. Whilst they do excellent work I would like to see recognition for those like Serf - who do it because they care, have a passion - and have a day job to do as well.

[Tim Aker]

Philip Davies, for the 'Better off Out' campaign, starting the ball rolling on a campaign to get Britain out the EU.

[Andrew Woodman]

'The reason I choose Serf is that in a way its the job of an MEP to be a patriot (well I think so anyway) and they get paid to do it.'

Perhaps someone should tell that to Caroline Jackson and co.

[Chad]

Philip Davies for me too for the same reasons.

[True Blue]

What a suprise. The usual suspects appear and crow for UKIP.

A patriot is someone who loves his country and defends its interests - so that's the withdralistas out straight away. They would win the Jingoist award. They would rather have unrealistic ideological purity and lose the next election (like 80's Labour)

My nomination is William Hague for his reasoned Europscepticism, and nuanced approach to foreign policy.

[Chad]

Philip Davies is a Tory MP, TB, who has steadfastly refused to entertain UKIP in any way and had shown his determination to fight within the Tory Party.

[Chad]

..and btw Ifavour an honest referendum to let the people choose instead of imposing my own personal preference.

[Donal Blaney]

Dan Hannan and Philip Davies have both gone out on a limb for EU-scepticism

[Chad]

Exactly. TB keeps banging on and quoting statistics about why people want to stay in, when clearly we should all put aside our personal views and divsions, then let the people decide.

We can then all respect the opinion of the British people and work to deliver the policy they want.

I think the EU is not reformable so withdrawal is the way forward, but if the British people decide otherwise, then of course I would respect their view and seek to reform from within.

A referendum is the honest way forward. It sits between Philip's call for withdrawal and those who definitely want to stay in, by letting the people choose.

[Chad]

..and David Cameron could offer a referendum and clearly note that he will be campaigning to stay in.

That way he can offer the democratic choice and show he is not personally in favour of withdrawal.

[Edward Lennox]

Philip Davies and Dan Hannan are both worthy nominees, although I think it has to be Roger Helmer by a whisker, not least because it would irk Tim Kirkhope so much...

[True Blue]

24% of people support withdrawal from the EU, so it's a bit pointless having a referendum.

[James Maskell]

Wheres the source for that True Blue?

[Andrew Woodman]

I believe the 24% is those who would definately want to withdraw. There are many other people in the poll who would consider withdrawing.

Let's not forget that it's a poll. To say '24% of people support withdrawal from the EU' is a bit of a sweeping statement.

[Chad]

TB,

There is nothing pointless in ending the division and setting a clear path forward for the next 50 years.

The nature of the EU is clearly much different from the orignal vote, and a referendum could end the bickering once and for all.

Remember UKIP got 16 odd % of the euro vote, so to say there is no need for a clear, honest vote is misrepresentative.

Why is it only those who are *so* sure the people will vote to stay in who do not want to give the people the chance to decide?

[Richard]

"24% of people support withdrawal from the EU, so it's a bit pointless having a referendum."

The figure tends to vary a lot. It was once as high as 52%. A recent poll by Yougov put it at 30something%.

Besides, the pro-withdrawal camp were leading in the polls prior to the 1975 referendum and ended up losing.

[Chad]

Exactly Richard. Once a referendum date is set, then the campaigns on both sides will begin and opinion could shift significantly.

A referendum would also see the end of UKIP.

[Richard]

By the way I'll second Hague.

[Chad]

An EU referendum with a clear question of "Do you want Britain to withdraw from the EU?" would:

* End the divisions over Europe in the Tory party and strengthen it to govern as a united unit for years to come.
* See the end of UKIP and the loss of eurosceptic votes from the Tories
* Set a clear path forward for a whole generation
* Get the people interested in politics again with an active campaign and big decision to make.

[Editor]

Chad: this a thread about nominations... let's discuss the question of in or out on another occasion please!

[Chad]

Sorry Tim. Just trying to help make the Tories electable!

:-)

[Christina]

I would vote for Hague, but only when he has delivered by getting us out of the EPP.

[True Blue]

A previous thread posted by a withdrawalista, who quoted YouGov. I can't find a source for this.

However, the only YouGov poll I can find (the Sky BNP one) suggests that the figure is 35%.

As for government by referendum, it's like management by workers. If we governed by referendum, we would have:

* A ban on all further immigration
* Capital punishment
* A raised age of consent for homosexuals
* Corporal punishment
* Harder divorce
* Compulsory ID cards
* Mixed-faith schools, rather than single faith schools
* More public expenditure and redistrubtive taxation(I put a ref in here, so you can be sure how keen they are)
http://www.mori.com/publications/bp/understanding-public-attitudes-to-tax-and-spend.pdf

This is just a sample of the joys of government by referendum.

[True Blue]

Oops - sorry Editor. I was well off-topic.

[Christina]

"This is just a sample of the joys of government by referendum."

So, you want a Government that ignores the wishes of the people, TB? You are opposed to democracy in favour of a liberal elite dictating to the people and ignoring what they want?

Do you think this could have anything to do with the general disinterest in politics today? The low turnouts at the polls?

I do not believe in populist democracy myself, but I think the pendulum has swung too far in favour of liberal elitist dictates, and the people are becoming disillusioned as a result.

Many of them are now turning to the BNP because they are not being listened to and even get called evil and hate-filled, when in fact, they are frightened for the welfare of their children and grandchildren.

We need balance, and if the Conservatives cannot provide that balance but insist on political correctness, then we will die as a Party.

[Christina]

Sorry, me too - off topic.

[johnC]

I would nominate Priscilla Cullen, Secretary of the Campaign for an English Parliament, for her article in Your Platform on this website. The Conservative leadership should show more concern about asymmetrical devolution and its possible solutions than they have done up to now. The present situation is unjust, unstable and damaging to national unity and harmony.

[Serf]

A patriot is someone who loves his country and defends its interests - so that's the withdralistas out straight away. They would win the Jingoist award.

True Blue, please feel free to read some of what us withdrawalists right sometime. I genuinely believe that the EU is damaging my country. You may thing I am wrong, but I am no Jingoist or Xenophobe.

My Nomination is the Better Off Out Campaign.

Citation: Cause we'd be better off out.

[Serf]

Of course that should be "write".

[True Blue]

True Blue, please feel free to read some of what us withdrawalists right sometime. I genuinely believe that the EU is damaging my country.

I've read what withdrawalists write ad nauseum, including the reports to which I have been referred. None are persuasive. The economic arguments are startling weak - they seem to be there to prop up the preconceived notions of those who wish to leave for ideological reasons.

I believe you are genuinely damaging the party and the country by allowing europhile parties to govern if you do take support from the Tories and damaging the country - if by some appalling mischance we did leave the EU.

Suggesting such devisive figures as "patriots" gives a very skewed view of what conservatives support.

If we have a ticket filled with EU withdrawlists, it will give the false impression that such policies are supported by a majority, and that is not the case.

As you are nominating disloyal people with unsupported views, I nominate Caroline Jackson MEP for her efforts to get EU environmental directives into British law, including the latest battery recycling directive.

I also nominate Neil Parish MEP for holding a Conservative barbecue serving British beef to show the French what they are missing, and his efforts to support the self-determination of the people of Gibraltar; keeping the pint, the red ensign and the "Made in Britain" label.

[Serf]

As you are nominating disloyal people with unsupported views, I nominate Caroline Jackson MEP

Pot, Kettle, Black

[Daniel Lucraft]

Liam Fox, for bringing seriousness to the defence brief for the first time, and speaking out about the Europeanisation of our armed forces.

[Andrew Woodman]

As you are nominating disloyal people with unsupported views, I nominate Caroline Jackson MEP

Pot, Kettle, Black

May I add bizarre to that. Wonder if Cameron feels the same way.

[Chad]

What's the betting that the next Labour Dave the Chameleon ecard includes both Caroline Jackson's 'all talk no action' quote and Zac Goldsmith's 'Norway is a stunt'.

All they need on top of that is the Lexus driver noting the blue box was next to empty.

[True Blue]

As you are nominating disloyal people with unsupported views, I nominate Caroline Jackson MEP

Pot, Kettle, Black

Have you never heard of irony?

[Serf]

Have you never heard of irony?

Sorry.

[malcolm]

I have never heard from you True Blue anything (not even the usual Europhile cliches spouted by our political enemies)a coherent argument as to why withdrawal from the EU is not a good idea.Happy to be proved wrong so please refresh me with previous posts from you or anybody else.
PS.Sorry to be be off topic Editor.

[Chad]

I've got a thread over on my conservativevoice site if you want to discuss this important issue without clogging up this thread any more.

It's for all conservatives, not just for party supporters etc.

conservative voice thread

I'd really love to get the pro and anti withdrawal arguments in one place.

[True Blue]

I have never heard from you True Blue anything (not even the usual Europhile cliches spouted by our political enemies)a coherent argument as to why withdrawal from the EU is not a good idea.Happy to be proved wrong so please refresh me with previous posts from you or anybody else.
PS.Sorry to be be off topic Editor.

It's spread across a number of threads.

However, I would emphasise that it is up to the withdrawalists to demonstrate that withdrawal is advantageous, in exactly the same way that those in favour of the Euro or the constitution need to prove their case.

[malcolm]

'It's spread across a number of threads'
Where True Blue where?

[True Blue]

Sorry - I'm not sure how to find them. Try a search for EFTA, Norway and EPP, and you might have better luck than me.

[DavidB]

The best EU poll is here; http://www.yougov.co.uk/archives/pdf/RMW050101026_1.pdf

24% The UK should pull out of the EU
35% The UK should be part of the EU but only if it is a trading bloc that enables goods, services and workers to move freely between member states, and gives up its other functions, such as promoting EU wide policies
21% The UK should remain part of the EU broadly as it is now, but use its power of veto to block any moves towards greater political union
10% The UK should work for closer union

This is a clear majority (59%) in favour of a 'free trade area' situation, which to me is withdrawl in favour of EFTA. Even then all but 10% oppose all 'greater union'. We must support 'liberal nationalism' and as part of that; withdrawl from the EU, free trade and wider membership of NATO.

My nominations; Dan Hannan MEP, the Better Off Out campaign, Roger Helmer MEP, and any of our pro-withdrawl MEPs.

Can we please have a booby prize for biggest political traitor? My nomination; Caroline Jackson MEP.

[malcolm]

Nope,True Blue can't find anything other than a few comments from Gareth which state that pulling out of the EPP would be against our last Euro manifesto commitment.Against that are Dan Hannans article, numerous references from EU Serf,RUK and a host of others.So how about it?Why are they all wrong?

[True Blue]

That's not my interpretation:

24% want to leave the EU, 56% support Conservative policy (stay within the EU but make changes) and 10% are unreserved Europhiles.

[True Blue]

Don't try to draw me on this on an off-topic thread. I'll wait for the next time it comes up as a legitimate topic.

I did find this thread:
http://conservativehome.blogs.com/torydiary/2006/04/tory_chairman_a.html

[malcolm]

What a cop out!

[Richard]

"As for government by referendum, it's like management by workers. If we governed by referendum, we would have:"

I expect a lot of Tories would agree with those. Indeed, adopting those "right-wing" policies would make the Tories more electable than under Cameron! Pity about the redistributive taxation though. But then I expect those who want higher taxes expect them to be paid for by someone else.

[William]

Nigel Gilbert the ex-Hercules pilot campaigning to point out that our transports are being shot down in Iraq because the government refuses to instal foam in the fuel tanks.

It costs little, prevents small arms fire from downing planes, and yet Ingram and Reid have failed to do it, resulting in 10 widows and many fatherless children.

This should be a Conservative Party campaign.

[Daniel Vince-Archer]

Nomination: the British troops serving in Iraq
Citation: for continuing to serve their country despite being led by an utterly discredited government which has effectively hung them out to dry

[Richard]

Nomination: the British troops serving in Iraq

Seconded. And let's not forget the troops in Afghanistan.

[malcolm]

Good point DVA &Richard.I'll vote with you two.

[True Blue]

What a cop out!
I never thought I'd ever say this, but Malcolm, you tease!

Read my thoughts on that thread first. If anything is not answered, keep you powder dry for the next opportunity we have to debat this. Knowing the Editor, it shouldn't be too long.

[Tony Woodcock]

Dan Hannan MEP and Philip Davies MP for politicians. Frederick Forsyth as a non politician. Least patriotic, Caroline Jackson MEP