Britannia Radio

16 November 2009 Two Letters From an Angry British Voter     Last week I wrote two letters to various members of the ruling elite who pass these days for the British government.   There are no prizes for guessing how meaningless will be their answers, nor for predicting that nothing will happen.   I will post the MoD reply under the Freedom of Information Act when I get it.  Otherwise, the only likely benefit is that they now know that I know….!     Indefensible Waste of Money by MoD   Bob Ainsworth MP Minister of Defence 9 November 2009     For no reason that I can begin to imagine, you have just sent me by mail a copy of a 92-page full colour glossy magazine produced for the Ministry of Defence, entitled Sanctuary.  It claims to be the 38th edition and includes reports about the Ministry of Defence’s entirely laudable commitment of ‘conservation’.   To describe this supposedly ‘free’ (and unwanted) publication as ‘lavish’ would be an understatement.  It makes Country Life look modest.   To describe it as an utterly despicable waste of British taxpayer’s money, especially when our troops in Afghanistan are still so desperately short of key operational equipment, would also be an understatement – but of a very different kind.   Yes, I know the cost would not have paid for an additional helicopter, but all 38 editions might have gone some way towards it.  However, that is not the point.  It’s the mind-set such waste reveals.    What happened to the MoD’s setting of rigorous priorities and resource planning?  Since when, for heaven’s sake, was PR nonsense like this allowed to use up precious cash?   In the name of sanity, what do you think you are doing?   Will you please take this letter as a formal request under the Freedom of Information Act to state the total cost of the editorial, production and distribution costs of this 38th issue, and the total cost expended by your Ministry on all 37 previous editions.   You will be aware of the time-limit imposed by law for a full response to all requests made under the above Act.   Ashley Mote         You Clean Up Your Illegal Immigration Mess   Alan Johnson MP Home Secretary 12 November 2009   You are currently spending taxpayers’ money on a radio commercial threatening business managers with fines of up to £10,000 or two years in jail if they employ illegal immigrants.   Leaving aside the crass decision to use our taxes in this way, especially in the present economic crisis, is it possible for you to justify this campaign in the light of two indisputable facts?:   The Attorney General did what you are saying ordinary businessmen may do only on threat of severe penalties.  Yet her ladyship chose not even to resign – despite being the theoretical head of the government’s legal services.    Who other than the Home Office and its border agencies is responsible for these tens of thousands of illegal immigrants being here in the first place?  Or did I miss something?   Does it not occur to you that this radio commercial is seriously misplaced?    Baroness Scotland’s example to the country was an appalling case of applying double standards, in utter contempt of the behaviour we demand from public servants.  She further discredited your lawless shambles of a government, but that is a problem for you.   Meanwhile, I ask you this: what right do you have to force ordinary people – who already put up with far more government interference in their daily lives than is tolerable – to clean up your mess for you?   Remind me.  What is that proverb about clearing the mess in your own stables before starting on others?   Ashley Mote         To respond to, or comment on this Email, please email ashley.mote@btconnect.com Click www.ashleymote.co.uk to visit the site now.