Forums Forums National News Poll : The E.U. What do we want?

Its perverse. Not much different from the government sending out a leaflet saying to vote tory at the next election. I am sure they have breached protocol on this, and maybe the law.

Government pamphlet also arrived here today.

Possibly whilst another arrival of drowning migrants were being rescued between Libya and Italy..............

"There are concerns that the efforts to shut down the Eastern Mediterranean route via Greece and the Balkans could encourage more people fleeing violence in Syria and Iraq to attempt the even more dangerous Central Mediterranean route via Libya.

However figures from the Institute of Migration show that those currently arriving in Italy from Libya are predominately citizens of African countries

Italian authorities, giving details of the rescues carried out in the Straits of Sicily, said 2,154 migrants had been rescued from 16 dinghies and a rowing boat on Tuesday.
Another 1,850 were rescued in the same area on Monday.
Mr Tusk told the European Parliament that there was no ideal solution to the migration crisis: "The deal with Turkey is not perfect and we are fully aware of its risks and weaknesses." Regarding the Central Mediterranean route, the EU "must be prepared to help and show solidarity to Malta and Italy", he said.............

So we are all being called upon again to help Malta and Italy, yet again by none other than Mr Farage's pet hate , the smiling assassin Mr. Tusk.(he just doesn't smile very often)

I haven't read this little pamphlet yet, but the cover says ,Why the Government believes we should vote to remain. The questionable word being 'believes' . None of us know and aren't likely to , until after the event. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. We have already had so many years with this EU institution and so far, it doesn't seem to have brought any of us much happiness and agreement. All they do is argue. More time and money spent on meetings and summits and more meetings and flights and limousines and entourage and hotels and reporters and champagne and more failure to agree ,followed by a meeting to arrange a further meeting. What a massive waste of money ! Maybe their should be more transparency on how much that lot costs.
Does anyone remember the 'time and motions' in the 1970's. What happened to them ?

Could it all change ? Doubt it.

Labour party in-leaflet arrived today, I seem to have misplaced it already.

Corby has stated the reason he wants to stay in Europe is because he knows the government will ride roughshod over the people if we exit Europe. Basically saying the Europe is the lesser of two evils.

What a ridiculous argument of his. That's obviously his defeatist attitude coming out already.
Who is to say, the next Government to implement such changes will be Tory ?

My opinion is that, those at the top now, would like to secure promotion for their next position in Europe or World platform. Like Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, and many ex prime ministers from other countries have done so.

Where do they go for a job, if Europe is not available ?

I've been wondering if the little snake pays his business taxes as his wife runs a Fair Trade coffee company from his home. She imports and sells it for £10 a bag , whilst the workers on the coffee plantations in Mexico, earn less than the minimum wage. So he has no right to put forward his views as he did today. Double standards in many ways.

Not quite, she sells coffee she buys from from Cafe Mam who are Free Trade certified and in turn get their produce from Free Trade co-operatives. With the source having multiple sequential credentials like that it would satisfy most purchasers.

Let's get this right.

Mrs Corbyn runs a business from Mr Corbyn's home. (not Yew Tree Manor in Shropshire, where he was brought up)

A business that imports Free Trade coffee , originating from the plantations in Mexico.

She sells the organic coffee for £10 per 250gram bag

Mexican coffee plantation workers earn less than the minimum wage.

'Satisfying most purchasers' is not the issue. Mr Corbyn's stance on fairness and trade unions , decent living wage and all of that....Is the issue. Why is he and his wife a part of such exploitation ?

Just for the record. Much the same in Mexico

https://www.organicconsumers.org/old_articles/starbucks/coffeelabor.htm


What are the labor problems and working conditions in the coffee industry?

A: Conditions for coffee workers on large plantations varies widely, but most are paid the equivalent to sweatshop wages and toil under abysmal working conditions. In Guatemala for example, coffee pickers have to pick a 100-pound quota in order to get the minimum wage of less than $3/day. A recent study of plantations in Guatemala showed that over half of all coffee pickers don't receive the minimum wage, in violation of Guatemalan labor laws. Workers interviewed in the study were also subject to forced overtime without compensation, and most often did not receive their legally-mandated employee benefits.


http://graphics.latimes.com/product-of-mexico-children/

In Mexico's fields, children toil to harvest crops that make it to American tables

I meant fair trade, not free trade

The coffee she buys is certified as fair trade compliant. What is she supposed to do, go out there and pick the beans herself to make sure nobody is exploited.

The problem is with the Fair Trade Foundation, not Laura Álvarez.

Any coffee in your cupboard granny? - I haven't drunk any for over thirty years and there is none in my cupboard.

....and how many built an empire on the back of the slave trade ??? Then we wonder why the drug trafficking is so great in South American countries. They have to make a living.
I'm quite sure our trade with the Americas could do well, we'll even have the Panamax vessels coming to Liverpool.

Mr and Mrs Corbyn should be well aware of the problems, without having to visit the plantations.

How? She has chosen a Fair Trade supplier which certifies that these problems don't exist. In fact the problems may not exist in this instance, Cafe Mam is a large well established company (since 1989) without any previous controversy as far as I can see.

Do you thoroughly check all the items you purchase ... glass houses etc.

Agreed,Café Mam is one of the few relatively successful stories ,considering what the people of Chiapas were facing, however, the workers continue to be paid a pittance in comparison.
My coffee comes from Kenya, which is another country we could build more trade with.

I have never professed to be a human rights activists, unlike Mr and Mrs C.

Is she or is she not running a business from there house. Are they paying business rates.

That's what I wondered, Jimbob.

Did anyone see Boris, speaking tonight from Manchester ?

So why are you banging on about human rights?

You can ask Mr C yourself in West Kirby on Saturday

Now, now don't get your knickers in a twist.

Does dd wear knickers?