Independent Sovereign Democratic Britain
Happily, we will now get an Independent Sovereign Democratic Britain, delivered by Brexit.
British sovereignty should no longer be shared and we should be represented abroad by only the British Government; the Sovereign-in-Parliament should be the final arbiter over British Subjects; and we should be Democratic not Bureaucratic.
I stood fast for this—I even had to leave Cameron’s Conservatives—but now the Referendum has delivered our British Will on this, even though the Liberal Democrats do not understand that. I want to be in Parliament to see that this is delivered.
I want to see stronger Defence—it has been cut too far; by definition, no crystal ball can forecast when we may face an unforeseen danger.
I also want to see better use of the Armed Services abroad, used together with a Civilian Overseas Aid Service, to deliver Foreign Aid in kind on scene (no money handed over); and to be ready to help when Humanitarian and Natural Disasters occur. We need some change in Force structures and some new ships—Logistics, Humanitarian and Military Command and Support ships. We should consider National Citizenship Service to augment Defence and Humanitarian Aid capabilities.
A Strategic Defence Review should look again at Force roles across the Globe, at Home Based Quick Reaction Mobile Regular Forces and at establishing Commonwealth Naval Task Groups, not least to share meeting Disaster Relief scenarios.
Security, Intelligence and Surveillance must be fully funded.
UK Border Controls and Immigration, post Brexit, should be wholly subject to the sovereign will of Parliament which alone should set and alter these laws and rules as required from time to time.
Parliament should establish new criteria for British Citizenship, Immigration and Visa entry policies.
I consider that we should avoid setting Migration level targets—the numbers are always arbitrary—but rely instead on sensible and balanced criteria.
For example, except for security reasons, tourists and visitors should be able to enter with minimal fuss, albeit with an insistence on the visitor being self sufficient and holding health cover insurance for the duration of the agreed length of stay. Work Visas should be issued when jobs have been secured and health cover insurance provided by the visitor or employer. The employer might need to show that local recruitment was impractical. A variety of visas would be needed -to cover students, for example.
Refugees should always be given exactly that— safe refuge—where there is a genuine need and usually where a proper approach has been made to the first British Authority with whom the refugee can make contact. Refugees should be brought to Britain under proper control and suitably accommodated; their aim should be to return home when safe; otherwise, after a period set by Parliament, they should apply for citizenship and full residential status.
As I would like to introduce National Citizenship Service after the age of 18, I would like so see all applicants for citizenship having to undertake such service, and to pass an English test.
Our Commonwealth Links have sadly diminished since we joined the EC/EU and we must revitalise those relationships in terms of free trade, cultural exchange and strengthen Defence co-operation. I’d propose a Commonwealth Free Trade Agreement.
Small Business: I have a solution to Late Payment Problem: HMRC should penalise late payers, via VAT returns. And I think the Business Rates system across the UK must be radically simplified to be based only on premises size (square footage), regardless of site location or use, etc, in two bands: one for PLCs and a capped lower rate for SMEs.
National Lottery Ticket’s should include five option boxes so we can direct what benefits: Research, NHS, Defence, Art & Culture and Community.
Farming and Fishing should continue to receive, directly from the British Government, the subsidies currently received via Brussels. Parliament should then, consulting with those industries, change policies so that both CFP and the CAP fits our circumstances.
Universities need a guarantee that there will be no non-security restrictions on visas for foreign staff or students. Attracting foreign investment should be encouraged.
The NHS is vital but a thorough review is needed to get the available money more directly to the point of need.
Food and Fuel Poverty is best combatted by a good economy but we should immediately defy EU restraints and stop VAT on domestic energy.
Space Exploration: Create a tax free unsubsidized regime to build the British Space Industry.
No more Onshore Wind Turbines unless directly owned, unsubsidized and run by local communities themselves.
Housing needs should be supported with any available public monies primarily being injected to support start up private home ownership.
