Britain ‘to maintain EU influence’

Originally by: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/britain-to-maintain-eu-influence-6274562.html published: 09 December 2011

During the summit in Brussels on 8^th December, the Prime Minister of UK decided to veto treaty changes designed to save the single currency.

According to the Labour Party, Liberal Democrats and UK Independence Party are against the veto and fear for the consequences of their country. Because of this decisions there is potentially an increased risk of a two-speed Europe in which Britain's position becomes more marginalized, and in the long-run that would be bad for growth and jobs in this country. Several EU countries did also not appreciate the veto.

The Conservatives and eurosceptics welcomed the veto as a step towards looser UK relations with the EU and single market.

The Prime Minster, David Cameron insisted that Britain’s influence in Europe will be maintained despite his dramatic decision. He admitted the relationship with the eurozone might change, but the core of the relationship remains as it was.

My reaction:

For me it was a bit hard to understand the article because it contained political terms and specific political information. I am not really into politics so I have searched for the meaning of some words.

Regarding the veto treaty, I totally agree with the parties who are against the used veto of the Prime Minster. Many countries in the eurozone are not pleased with the veto to save the single currency. I think, the Prime Minister should not taken such a dramatic decision that make the UK an unloved member of the eurozone and can have a negative influence for the citizens of the UK.

I think the Prime Minister should ask the people of the UK if they want to remain their currency or the UK should join the Euro.

Severe weather warnings issued for UK

Originally by: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16151712
Published: 12 December 2011

The predictions said this week will mark one of the stormiest periods of weather for several years. Weather warnings are in place as strong winds, heavy rain and snow move across the UK. The severe weather has resulted in lots of trouble and danger. Scotland’s transport minister Keith Brown has warned that snow and high winds could lead to rush-hour disruptions for drivers on Tuesday. Environment Agency Wales (EAW) has advised people to remain alert for localized flooding, with heavy rain and strong winds forecast. It has also issued flood alerts on a number of rivers in south-west England. The severe weather also has resulted in the cancellation of Brittany Ferries services to and from France.

My reaction:Like the UK, the Netherlands also suffer from the severe weather. In the Netherlands there are many cancellation and delay of the air traffic. But the result of the severe weather in the UK is much worse than in the Netherlands.

 I feel a bit sorry for the people who lives near a river because at heavy rain the change for flooding is big. In the Netherlands a change for flooding is really small, but I experienced it when I lived in Suriname thirteen years ago.  I wonder if the government of the UK is taking actions to prevent flooding in the future.

Public sector strike rallies held across UK

originally by: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15953806 published: 30 November 2011

Wednesday 30 November, was the biggest strike in a generation in the UK, involving up to two million workers. The public sector strike over proposed government reforms to their pensions that include: a £2.8bn increase in contribution payments by 2014/2015; pegging the retirement age to the state pension age; switching the way pensions are uprated every year from the higher RPI rate of inflation to the lower CPI rate; and moving staff from final salary schemes to career average schemes.The effects of the strike were huge: about two-third of state schools shut, and thousands of hospital operations were postpone, no bus or train operated in Northern Ireland, about a third of England and Wales council staff  were not in work. The Prime Minister thought the strike was not necessary and won’t make any difference.

My reaction: In my opinion, the first priority goes to the recovery of the economic crisis of the country. Every civilian should contribute in a active way to recover their country. You will always have resistance  against cuts. But when two million people are striking against the government propose the alarm bells should ring at the government that their reform is unacceptable for the people. I think it’s the task of the government to convince the people and pay attention on their dissatisfied present. Instead of doing that, the government is reacting like the strike has no meaning and the people have no influence in the reform of the pension. I am worried about the people of the UK because their pension has deteriorated and the government does not consider their circumstances. The people of the UK will get a hard time.