Post ratification of the Lisbon treaty

The Lisbon Treaty has been signed by the President of the Czech Republic – surprise!

But the Torys have always been clear that, if this situation came about, they would immediately set out how a Conservative Government would respond.

1. They would prohibit, by law, the transfer of further power to the EU without a referendum.

2. They would introduce a United Kingdom Sovereignty Bill to make it clear that ultimate authority stays in this country.

3. They would negotiate the return of Britain’s opt-out from social and employment legislation in those areas which have proved most damaging to our economy and public services.

4. They would also pursue a complete opt-out from the Charter of Fundamental Rights. And they would negotiate for a return of powers in criminal justice to prevent EU judges gaining steadily greater control over our criminal justice system.

A referendum on the Lisbon treaty would now be pointless. The public will judge the tory leader on his ability to absorb pressure, stand his ground, articulate his views and inspire the electorate.

A testing time nevertheless.

Letter from David Cameron…

This arrived in my inbox this morning…

Dear Adrian,

Yesterday the Lisbon Treaty was signed by the President of the Czech Republic. It is now set to become EU law. I know from the huge number of letters and emails that I have been receiving how much people will resent the fact we cannot now have the referendum we were promised by Labour.
But I have always been clear that, if this situation came about, I would immediately set out how a Conservative Government would respond.

First, if we win the next election, we will prohibit, by law, the transfer of further power to the EU without a referendum. Never again should it be possible for a British government to transfer power to the EU without the British people’s consent.

Second, we will introduce a United Kingdom Sovereignty Bill to make it clear that ultimate authority stays in this country, in our Parliament.

And third, we want to negotiate three specific guarantees with our European partners over powers that we believe should reside with Britain, not the EU. We will negotiate the return of Britain’s opt-out from social and employment legislation in those areas which have proved most damaging to our economy and public services. We also want a complete opt-out from the Charter of Fundamental Rights. And we would negotiate for a return of powers in criminal justice to prevent EU judges gaining steadily greater control over our criminal justice system.

If I am elected Prime Minister, the British Government I lead will be an active member of the European Union. Like every other Member State, we will fight our corner to advance our national interests. But our guiding principles will be that Britain’s interests are best served by a European Union that is an association of its member states – and we must never allow Britain to slide into a federal Europe.

Trick-or-treating

Trick-or-treating is a custom for children on Halloween. Children proceed in costume from house to house, asking for treats such as sweets, or sometimes money, with the question, “Trick or treat?” The “trick” is an idle threat to perform mischief on the homeowners or their property if no treat is given.

The practice of dressing up in costumes and begging door to door for treats on holidays dates back to the Middle Ages and includes Christmas wassailing. Trick-or-treating resembles the late medieval practice of souling, when poor folk would go door to door on Hallowmas (November 1st), receiving food in return for prayers for the dead on All Souls Day (November 2nd). It originated in Ireland and Britain, although similar practices for the souls of the dead were found as far south as Italy. Shakespeare mentions the practice in his comedy The Two Gentlemen of Verona (1593), when Speed accuses his master of “puling [whimpering or whining] like a beggar at Hallowmas.” The custom of wearing costumes and masks at Halloween goes back to Celtic traditions of attempting to copy the evil spirits or placate them, in Scotland for instance where the dead were impersonated by young men with masked, veiled or blackened faces, dressed in white.

It turns out that flesh-eating zombies aren’t actually all that popular with little boys this year, so we are more likely to see Spiderman costumes – much less scary and somehow so much more in keeping with the spirit of trick-or-treating. Some say there’s no harm in a neighbourly visit from a pint-sized Spidey-duo on a dark and wintry night, but not everyone agrees.

If you think about the people who would not welcome night time callers, door to door salesmen, utility company reps etc. would it not be reasonable to assume that these people may not welcome doorstep beggars on 31 Oct either? I’m fairly sure that when we were of trick-or-treating age, although we never did, there was an unwritten rule that a lit pumpkin was a signal that the occupants at that house were happy to answer the door and engage in the annual routine, but those who switched off their porch lights and chose not to adorn their front gardens with pumpkins and such, were perhaps not so welcoming.

Parents or responsible adults should accompany children on Halloween trick or treat nights to make sure that they stay safe.

Please identity neighbours who are willing to have trick or treat calls. Make your neighbours aware of what time you expect to call at their house. Discuss with these neighbours what treats are appropriate.

Tips for parents:
1. If money is given, identify a charity for this to be donated to.
2. Discuss with your children what ‘tricks’ are acceptable.
3. Discourage older children (teenagers) from trick or treating – it is an activity for young children.

Tips for Young People
1. Don’t disturb someone displaying a notice that says ‘no trick or treat’.
2. Always take an adult with you or tell an adult where you are going.
3. Never go out on your own – always go out with family, friends, or a responsible adult.
4. Never knock on a stranger’s door.
5. Never accept an invitation to go into a house.
6. If someone says ‘no thank you’ or doesn’t open the door to you, they are probably frightened. Please walk away and don’t be a nuisance to them.
7. Avoid dark and lonely places.

View ‘No trick or treat’ poster .
This poster says ‘No trick or treat, please enjoy your night without disturbing ours’.