Gary's views

Gary's weekly views

Each week an article by Gary has appeared in the Plympton Plymstock and Ivybridge News in South West Devon. The articles are published here

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

Count your blessings. Apparently this is one of the secrets of being happy. I do it every time I come back to the UK from a few days abroad.

Last week I was in Ethiopia on an all party expedition to, amongst other things, see how we can help improve their democratic practices. This is a large country new to democracy and although our own system in the UK is far from perfect, we have been at it for 800 years and have a few tips to pass on. As Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries in the world and receives £70 million aid a year from us, it is important that they spend it on becoming stronger and not on lining the pockets of a few. It is an ancient and proud nation, but most of the population don’t have two pennies to rub together.

But they are friendly and welcoming and we all know that even if you have little by way of material wealth, it is still possible to be happy. Many of them are. But as I scratched my mosquito bites and pondered the local food, I rejoiced at every mile I that brought me closer to home.

We all like to have a good whinge about our country, but the truth is that most things work over here, the infrastructure is impressive; it rains a lot but we never die of thirst or hunger, some politicians do daft things but ministers don’t award contracts in exchange for bribes; we are free to say what we want, live where we like and do what we want. When the tyres touch down on the tarmac of Heathrow, I am always glad, and very proud to be British.

Ah, but more and more Brits are leaving our shores to live abroad, I hear you cry. True, over 200,000 will do so this year. But if the trends of the past few years are continued, did you know that over 75% will come back within 5 years and resettle in Britain once more? Surveys show that they miss family and friends but also the British way of life.

This is a great country, built on Judeo-Christian principles, its freedoms hard won by our forefathers. Many challenges face us and we make sure we do not lose our British-ness, but I cannot think of a single country that is a better place to live.

posted by Nigel on Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Gary's weekly views

Each week an article by Gary has appeared in the Plympton Plymstock and Ivybridge News in South West Devon. The articles are published here

AUTUMN

The leaves are turning, the berries ripening, there is a delicious nip in the early morning air; my favourite season has arrived. Autumn 06 brings with it the prospect of a tough winter to compensate for the lack of rain this summer, but also, at the end of it, two big decisions affecting all of us.

The Navy’s review of naval base capacity has sent shock waves through the local community. In spring 07 we will find out whether we are pitched into a battle royal with Portsmouth to fight to retain the country’s remaining surface ship naval base. This is a big deal, bigger even than the battle for the nuclear work in 1993. We have assets on our side – the co-location of the trident refit dockyard and the sea training division. This will make it hard for the review board to wipe us out at the stroke of a pen. But something inside me niggles away at the thought of the British Royal navy ever being able to shut down its naval base in Portsmouth, the spiritual home of our senior service. So despite reassuring noises falling from some lips, I believe we must gird up our loins for a massive campaign; and we will.

Spring 07 will also bring final decisions on the new town at Sherford. Just to recap: Most of us are against it, but we cannot stop it from happening. South hams council has no choice but to provide for it. But we have to ensure that its impact on existing communities is minimal. Next spring the inspector will decide precisely where this settlement will go and what transport solutions will be imposed. At the moment, the impact on our roads is by far the worst feature of this unwanted development and many meetings will take place over the winter to try and improve them. Time is running out. Once the inspector has handed down his decision next year, the talking will be over and the bulldozers will start work.

We will also have a new Prime Minister next year. Westminster is descending into the kind of feverish mindset that only a leadership change can bring. Already furtive huddles are forming in the corridors of power as various groups plot and scheme. And for once it’s not my party!

The winter is always dark and long, but with its passing will come decisions that will significantly affect our quality of lives.

posted by Nigel on Monday, October 16, 2006