Why we should stay in Europe

There is a great deal in the news just now about whether there will be a referendum on the UK leaving the EU (European Union).

Alistair Darling used the fact that the Scottish government wish to remain in Europe as a comparison on why they should stay in the UK!! These situations are completely different and the most basic example is that the whole of Scotland could vote to remain in the EU but the reast of the UK (or even just England) could vote to leave, and we would have to leave.

Now I don't know about the rest of the UK, but a huge amount of Scottish exports go to Europe - they are our allies in so many ways. Talk about cutting your nose off to spite your face - this is what the UK govt want to do. Cameron doesn't even have the guts to state that he himself does/not want to remain in the EU - he just falls in to the party 'mindset' on this. That is no way to run a country! You are the servant of the public, not your party!

Labour in Scotland in particular are equally guilty of this, neither stating whether they want in or not, but backing what happens in Westminster. It really is a joke. They do not want an Independent Scotland because then they could not blame their errors on Westminster, which is what they have done in the past!

I have to say that to me it's not as important as some issues just now - such as the fact that the UK govt are trying to get rid of a whole range of facilities (like closing a large number of fire stations in London, hospitals across the UK etc), taking money from the poor and giving to the rich and further mass chain store closures.

The general public are aware that we are teetering on the edge of a TRIPLE DIP RECESSION, thanks to this mentality that is austerity. they need to remove their heads from their arses and get the economy back on the ground, instead of taking money from consumers pockets that would be better spent in the high streets and boost the economy!

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin

Gay Politicians

I was watching the Daily Politics today and one of the 'issues' regarded gay/lesbian politicians, especially tory (for those of you outwith the UK, the Tories and a name we give Conservatives, and aare right wing politicians, usually very wealthy).

Tories in particular, are homophobic. I'm not saying all tories are, but the majority have at least a small problem with it, as it does not fit their narrow criteria of right and appropriate.

Frankly, I couldn't give a **** who my MP is having sex with, as long as they follow the law (by that I mean the person is an adult and consenting). I do not think it has an effect on how they can perform their duties in public office and actually it means that they are more likely to be able to empathise with other marginalised groups of people.

I am straight and happily married but I really do not have a problem with being represented by a gay/lesbian politician because it does not matter who they have sex with, it matters how they conduct themselves in public office.

I know that there are many who disagree with this. They are entitled to their opinion. I do not like people using religion as an excuse for being bigotted - and it is an excuse. God/s (whatever divine being or beings you believe in) are meant to have made us in their image. Religion is meant to be about having faith in a higher power and loving your fellow mankind, not about deciding which groups you don't like and persecuting them!! Homosexuality occusr within nature all the time - it IS natural. Anyone who says otherwise is simply a bigot. Just because somehting does not adhere to your ideas of proper does not make it wrong, however using your religion as an excuse to marginalise people you deem 'wrong' - is very, very wrong and you are not a truly spiritual person.

To me, homosexuality is nature's way of trying to control our numbers. When a species increases too much, the number of homosexuals in that species increases. This is why there are more homosexuals today than ever before. It is very natural and frankly having prejudice against someone because of their sexual orientation is just as ludicrous as having prejudice against someone because of their collour or gender. Get over it!!!

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin

Uniform Tax Rebates

First it was people offering 'help' with PPI claims, for a small fee. Now it is help with claiming a uniform tax rebate! This is usually a relatively small amount of money - maybe £100 a year, and a few companies are already trying to take some of that money away for the average worker.

What is uniform tax rebate? Very simply, its a tax rebate for anyone who has a uniform and has to get this uniform cleaned/mended themselves. Some employers offer laundry services, and in this instance a person would not be eligible for such a rebate. however, if you wear a uniform that is not for use out of work and you are responsible for its care, you are likely to be eligible for this rebate.

All you have to do is send a letter to the tax office, stating where you work, that your uniform is not for use out of work and that your employer does not provide laundry services. They will want to know where you work and how long you have worked there and why you cannot wear your uniform outside of work (usually because of a work logo, or if you work in health or food industries, for hygiene reasosn).

Please note that negotiations are currently underway between MOD and tax office re uniforms for army/navy etc personnel. Please contact your own personnel to see whether you are yet eligible.

Moneysavingexpert.com have all the details and also a default address if you do not have the address of your own local office.

Do not let some financier take any of the money you are entitled to. Write it yourself or get a friend to do it.

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin

Child Benefits

Firstly, I am not going into the ins and outs of the changes to child benefits - I really just want to talk about the fact that until recently everyone was entitled to child benefit, regardless of their salary. To me, this is the reason our welfare system is in the state it is. I was shocked to learn that people earning more than £50,000 per annum were claiming child benefits! To me, this is wealthy people taking money out of the mouths of the poor. Because of this flagrant abuse of the benefit system cuts have had to be made across the board. This could be part of the reason several people with disabilities have killed themselves or starved to death!

If you have read any of my other posts you will see that I dislike the tories with a passion - and that's putting it lightly. However, I am shocked and disgusted that a Labour government would have allowed this policy to continue, and have the nerve to say the tories are pandering to the rich when they did the exact same!

To be honest, I think the £50,000 cap is too high. Anyone earning more than £45,000 doesn't need child benefits and i9f they do they are doing something very wrong!

The new policy means that anyone earning more than £50,000 needs to opt out of benefits or they will be required to pay it back at a later date. I think those who earn this and above should be made to pay back any benefits they earned in the last 10 years to make up for robbing the welfare system of its much needed money!

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin