POACHEDonline

Articles I’ve written for politics.co.uk in 2009 - sorry not chronological!

The lost art of keeping a secret, rediscovered - politics.co.uk

1. By Laura Miller. George Osborne skipped up onto the stage at the Policy Centre full of the joys of a man who can say what he likes about “effective economic … www.politics.co.uk/analysis/economy-and-finance/the-lost-art-keeping-secret-rediscovered–$1259709.htm

2. Profile: Kenneth Clarke - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. Former chancellor and habitual Tory leadership contender Kenneth Clarke will again bring his boisterous brand of politics to Britain’s … www.politics.co.uk/analysis/legal-and-constitutional/profile-kenneth-clarke-$1261806.htm

3. Secret inquests back on the table - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. Justice minister Jack Straw has reintroduced government plans for closed door inquests, held without a jury, in cases involving aspects of … www.politics.co.uk/news/legal-and-constitutional/secret-inquests-back-on-the-table-$1260879.htm

4. Boris avoids Green inquiry - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. Boris Johnson will receive his second call to give evidence over the arrest of Damian Green today, after failing to attend the first time … www.politics.co.uk/news/legal-and-constitutional/boris-avoids-green-inquiry-$1264351.htm

5. Party leaders on UK tour - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. Gordon Brown and David Cameron have both begun tours of recession-struck Britain in a move unheard of outside election season. … www.politics.co.uk/news/legal-and-constitutional/party-leaders-on-uk-tour-$1258822.htm

6. Govt regulations ‘without purpose’ - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. Government departments frequently waste taxpayer’s money on useless and expensive regulations, a report has said. … www.politics.co.uk/news//news//domestic-policy/govt-regulations-without-purpose–$1264688.htm

7. Smith faces grilling over home office leaks - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. Jacqui Smith was forced to make a climb-down today over claims “considerable damage to national security” forced her to involve police in … www.politics.co.uk/news/legal-and-constitutional/smith-faces-grilling-over-home-office-leaks-$1261980.htm

8. MPs to be let off FOI - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. MPs and peers have won their battle to keep their expense claims for the last three years secret. The retrospective exemption, expected to … www.politics.co.uk/news/legal-and-constitutional/mps-to-be-let-off-foi-$1261281.htm

9. Search powers right to be dropped - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. Powers to raid political candidates’ homes and offices without a warrant broke human rights law and were right to be dropped, according to … www.politics.co.uk/news/legal-and-constitutional/search-powers-right-to-be-dropped-$1265004.htm

10. Clarkson in hot water for Brown comments - politics.co.uk

    By Laura Miller. The prime minister is a “one-eyed Scottish idiot,” according to Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson. Made during a promotional visit to … www.politics.co.uk/news//news//culture-media-and-sport/clarkson-in-hot-water-for-brown-comments-$1266895.htm

1. Smith climbs down over phone-tap evidence - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. The home secretary has stepped away from controversial government plans to use intercept evidence in UK trials. … www.politics.co.uk/news//news//legal-and-constitutional/smith-climbs-down-over-phone-tap-evidence-$1268846.htm

2. Public want failing banks nationalised - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. Government moves to completely nationalise banks already under partial state control would be supported by the British public, … www.politics.co.uk/news//news//economy-and-finance/public-want-failing-banks-nationalised-$1271234.htm

3. Govt ‘misled’ high court in torture case - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. Binyam Mohamed’s lawyers will fight to re-open his case on the grounds that the UK government misled the highest court in the land when … www.politics.co.uk/news//news//legal-and-constitutional/govt-misled-high-court-in-torture-case-$1266890.htm

4. EU fisheries policy costs UK families £297 each - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. Average British families are paying £297 more a year in food and tax bills due to EU fisheries policy, claims a report published today. … www.politics.co.uk/news//news//opinion-former-index/environment-and-rural…/eu-fisheries-policy-costs-uk-families-297-each-$1264706.htm

5. Brown’s secret expenses call disgraceful - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller Commenting on reports that Gordon Brown is to order Labour MPs to vote to exempt MP’s expenses from the Freedom of Information Act … www.politics.co.uk/mps/press-releases/party-politics/liberal-democrats/brown-s-secret-expenses-call-disgraceful-$1262632$452057.htm

6. Blunkett gets a new bride - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. David Blunkett, former home secretary, is to remarry, his spokesman said today. The Sheffield Brightside MP has announced he will wed … www.politics.co.uk/news/party-politics/labour/blunkett-gets-new-bride-$1264060.htm

7. Patients to manage own health budgets - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. Some patients will soon be able to choose where they buy their healthcare using money paid to them directly, the government announced today … www.politics.co.uk/news/health/patients-manage-own-health-budgets-$1261387.htm

8. Big Brother intensified for Olympics - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. The British public is set to come under even closer scrutiny during 2012 from an advanced CCTV system specially designed for the London … www.politics.co.uk/news/policing-and-crime/big-brother-intensified-olympics-$1260869.htm

9. Scottish politics in disarray over failed budget - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. The Scottish government today faced criticism from Labour MSPs over its failure to secure a budget for Scotland next year. … www.politics.co.uk/news//regions/scotland/scottish-politics-in-disarray-over-failed-budget-$1264613.htm

10. 1. Pupils taught to see 7/7 from bombers’ perspective - politics.co.uk

       By Laura Miller. Some secondary school pupils will be asked to look at the co-ordinated suicide bombings on London’s transport system from the standpoint of … www.politics.co.uk/news//news//education/pupils-taught-to-see-7-7-from-bombers-perspective-$1271201.htm

    2. Smith to tackle violence against women - politics.co.uk

       By Laura Miller. Jacqui Smith will launch the largest ever cross-government public consultation on violence against women and girls today, … www.politics.co.uk/news/equality/smith-to-tackle-violence-against-women-$1275213.htm

    3. Profile: Sir Paul Stephenson - politics.co.uk

       By Laura Miller. Deputies live out life in the shadows, waiting and desperately hoping the boss falls from grace before they themselves are too old to take … www.politics.co.uk/analysis/policing-and-crime/profile-sir-paul-stephenson-$1264424.htm

    4. Govt blamed as litter rises 500%

       By Laura Miller. Councils’ failure to curb a 500 per cent rise in litter through education and fines loses taxpayers £500 million a year in clear-up costs, … www.politics.co.uk/news/environment-and-rural-affairs/govt-blamed-as-litter-rises-500–$1275240.htm

    5. Govt skills plan ‘doesn’t fit’ recession - politics.co.uk

       By Laura Miller. Current government skills and learning policy is inappropriate now the country is in the middle of a recession, leading politicians have … politics.co.uk/news/opinion-former-index/education/govt-skills-plan-doesn-t-fit-recession-$1261321.htm

    6. US will talk but not act at G20 - politics.co.uk

       By Laura Miller. Chancellor Alastair Darling was today forced to rein in his hopes for a recession-beating “new global deal” next month, after Washington … politics.co.uk/news/economy-and-finance/us-will-talk-but-not-act-at-g20-$1280146.htm

    7. Premier League: Poverty wages - politics.co.uk

       By Laura Miller. MPs will meet representatives from Premier league football clubs today to discuss the plight of the working poor in one of sport’s … www.politics.co.uk/news/culture-media-and-sport/premier-league-poverty-wages-$1280158.htm - 22 hours ago

1. Clegg: Suspend arms to Israel - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg today called on Gordon Brown to stop the flow of arms from Britain to Israel and criticised his lack of … www.politics.co.uk/news/foreign-policy/clegg-suspend-arms-israel-$1259058.htm

2. Vote on expenses shelved - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller and Alex Stevenson. Downing Street has abandoned a controversial vote to keep MPs’ expenses private. The government had said Labour MPs … www.politics.co.uk/news/legal-and-constitutional/labour-mps-forced-vote-secret-expenses-$1262526.htm

3. Brown show reaches Liverpool - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. Gordon Brown and his Cabinet met in Liverpool today to discuss urban regeneration and the government’s latest plans to spend its way out of … www.politics.co.uk/news//economy/employment/unemployment/brown-show-reaches-liverpool-$1259422.htm

4. ‘Optimistic’ financial report: the worst is yet to come - politics …

   By Laura Miller. Unemployment will escalate and consumer spending will continue to plummet well into 2011, according to an “optimistic” financial report out … www.politics.co.uk/news/economy-and-finance/-optimistic-financial-report-the-worst-yet-come-$1261941.htm

5. Foreign criminals cost taxpayers £10 million - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. Government failure to deport foreign criminals quickly costs taxpayers £10 million a year in extended detentions, a Tory immigration … www.politics.co.uk/news//news//opinion-former-index/policing-and-crime/foreign-criminals-cost-taxpayers-10-million-$1264842.htm

6. MI5: Israeli attacks will provoke UK extremists - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. In a rare interview with the Guardian newspaper, Jonathan Evans warned of a direct link between events abroad and security risks at home. … www.politics.co.uk/news/foreign-policy/policing-and-crime/mi5-israeli-attacks-will-provoke-uk-extremists-$1259139.htm

7. Who’s on the new Lib Dem front bench? - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. Simon Hughes (energy and climate change spokesman). Hughes has significant experience with environmental issues. … www.politics.co.uk/analysis/legal-and-constitutional/who-s-on-new-lib-dem-front-bench–$1259457.htm

8. Calls for rail investment to prevent motorway hell - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. The government has been accused of failing to respond to demands from the public for a “better alternative” to the motorway. … www.politics.co.uk/news/transport/calls-rail-investment-prevent-motorway-hell-$1260607.htm

9. UK ‘awash’ with unemployable graduates - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. British graduates lack the skills to succeed in the jobs market, according to a report published today. … www.politics.co.uk/news/education/education/uk-awash-with-unemployable-graduates-$1261237.htm

10. True cost of Gaza-Israel conflict to be revealed - politics.co.uk

    By Laura Miller. A report outlining the true cost of the Gaza war will be published today by a strategic research group. Lord Alderice, a leading expert in … www.politics.co.uk/news/foreign-policy/true-cost-gaza-israel-conflict-be-revealed-$1262633.htm

1. Sarkozy critical of Brown’s ‘mistakes’ - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. Anglo-French relations took a knock last night after Nicolas Sarkozy publicly criticised Gordon Brown’s handling of the economic crisis. … www.politics.co.uk/news//news//economy-and-finance/sarkozy-critical-of-brown-s-mistakes–$1266951.htm

2. Ex KGB spy set to buy London Evening Standard - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller and Richard James. Billionaire and former KGB agent Alexander Lebedev is poised to buy a majority stake in the London Evening Standard, … www.politics.co.uk/news/culture-media-and-sport/ex-kgb-spy-set-buy-london-evening-standard-$1261040.htm

3. Analysis: A mountain of rubbish? - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. Litter is an eyesore for everyone, and figures show the ugliness has significantly increased in the last thirty years, … www.politics.co.uk/analysis/environment-and-rural-affairs/analysis-a-mountain-of-rubbish–$1275714.htm

4. Cameron pledges TV debates if he becomes PM - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. David Cameron has promised to give MPs more chances to quiz him in greater detail about his policies if he becomes prime minister. … www.politics.co.uk/news/cameron-pledges-tv-debates-if-he-becomes-pm-$1263871.htm

5. Labour embarks on ‘green revolution’

   By Laura Miller. Gordon Brown will today outline his ‘green new deal’ as part of efforts to kill two birds with one stone using a low carbon economic … www.politics.co.uk/news/environment-and-rural-affairs/labour-embarks-on-green-revolution–$1275186.htm

6. UK activists boycott Israel - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. Demonstrators are planning nationwide protests today to boycott the sale of Israeli goods on UK high-streets. … www.politics.co.uk/news//news//business-and-industry/uk-activists-boycott-israel-$1266992.ht

7. Lobbyists facing tighter control laws - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. Major lobbying groups would be forced to disclose who they are working for and the MPs and Lords they meet under proposed new anti-sleaze … www.politics.co.uk/news/legal-and-constitutional/lobbyists-facing-tighter-control-laws-$1275159.htm

8. ‘Repressive and disproportionate’ policing at Kingsnorth …

   By Laura Miller. Police deliberately intimidated protesters and obstructed legal observers during protests at Kingsnorth power station, a report has said. … politics.co.uk/news/policing-and-crime/-repressive-and-disproportionate-policing-at-kingsnorth-$1280104.htm

1. Analysis: Football is a mirror to the nation - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. Premier League football is no stranger to pay controversy, functioning, as it does, as a mirror of wider trends in society. … www.politics.co.uk/analysis/culture-media-and-sport/analysis-football-is-a-mirror-to-the-nation-$1280711.htm - 12 hours ago

3. US will talk but not act at G20 - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. Chancellor Alastair Darling was today forced to rein in his hopes for a recession-beating “new global deal” next month, after Washington … politics.co.uk/news/economy-and-finance/us-will-talk-but-not-act-at-g20-$1280146.htm

4. Social care ‘as important as NHS’ - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. Over three quarters of British adults rate social care as importantly as the NHS, a survey has revealed. Eighty-six per cent adults would … www.politics.co.uk/news//news//communities-and-local-government/social-care-as-important-as-nhs–$1271250.htm

1. Govt blames BoE as car industry nose-dives - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. Strained relations between the government and the Bank of England reached a head when the central bank issued a rare public reproach to … politics.co.uk/news/business-and-industry/govt-blames-boe-as-car-industry-nose-dives-$1280059.htm

2. Govt forced to publish ID card reviews - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. The government will be forced to publish two reviews into the controversial ID card system after a four year battle to keep them secret, … www.politics.co.uk/news/legal-and-constitutional/govt-forced-to-publish-id-card-reviews-$1271160.htm

3. RE: Skills - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. Education, education, education, went the Blair mantra in 1997. Droves of able students have passed through the university system in the 12 … www.politics.co.uk/analysis/education/analysis-is-education-for-business-or-knowledge–$1261240.htm

4. Atheist buses do not break advertising rules - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. Buses which carry the slogan “There’s probably no God” do not breach the advertising code, a watchdog has ruled. … www.politics.co.uk/news//news//transport/atheist-buses-do-not-break-advertising-rules-$1262650.htm

5. Lib Dems: MPs must comply with FoI - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. Westminster MPs should not enjoy special privileges when it comes to disclosing how they spend public money, according to David Heath, … www.politics.co.uk/news/legal-and-constitutional/lib-dems-mps-must-comply-with-foi-$1261370.htm

6. Osborne tells voters ‘home truths’ - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. George Osborne today told the public that times are tough with only hard work on the horizon and no quick fixes to the economic problem. … www.politics.co.uk/news//news//economy-and-finance/osborne-tells-voters-home-truths–$1275175.htm

7. Brown: ‘The King of Spin’ - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. Gordon Brown faced accusations he is the ‘King of Spin’ today, after a report revealed he has more press officers than any PM in the last … www.politics.co.uk/news/culture-media-and-sport/brown-the-king-of-spin–$1263808.htm

8. Children ‘impoverished’ by poor education - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. Primary school children in England are being failed by a national curriculum that focuses too much on core subjects like maths and English, … www.politics.co.uk/news/education/children-impoverished-by-poor-education-$1271075.htm

9. Boris will finally talk about Damian Green - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. The London mayor and the Met’s new assistant commissioner will finally speak out about their involvement in the arrest of shadow … www.politics.co.uk/news/legal-and-constitutional/boris-will-finally-talk-about-damian-green-$1264959.htm

10. Economic downturn deepens at alarming pace - politics.co.uk

    By Laura Miller and Ian Dunt. The economic downturn is deepening at an alarming pace, according to new findings published today. … www.politics.co.uk/news/business-and-industry/economic-downturn-deepens-at-alarming-pace-$1260298.htm

1. Profile: Spotlight on the controversial Labour Lords - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. Lord Taylor. A Labour peer since 1978, Lord Taylor of Blackburn was described in 2007 as “the primary conduit between the defence industry … www.politics.co.uk/analysis/legal-and-constitutional/profile-spotlight-on-the-labour-lords-$1263720.htm

2. Analysis: An age of insecurity - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. Strikes over Italian workers at the Total Lindsey oil refinery were rooted in a toxic mix of job insecurity and the unfairness of the … www.politics.co.uk/analysis/employment/analysis-an-age-of-insecurity-$1269715.htm

3. ‘British jobs’ slogan splits the public

   By Laura Miller. The slogan ‘British jobs for British workers’ has split opinion between those who agree with the phrase, and those who believe it smacks of … www.politics.co.uk/news/equality/-british-jobs-slogan-splits-the-public-$1269028.htm

4. MPs condemn ‘outrageous’ data sharing plans - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. Plans to allow people’s confidential details to be shared across public and private agencies around the world have been attacked by MPs in … politics.co.uk/news/opinion-former-index/legal-and-constitutional/mps-condemn-outrageous-data-sharing-plans-$1264010.htm

5. Genocide victims remembered on Holocaust Memorial Day - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. People around the world will come together today in remembrance of those killed by the Nazis during World War Two and other genocides. … www.politics.co.uk/news/culture-media-and-sport/genocide-victims-remembered-on-holocaust-memorial-day-$1264042.htm

6. Employed no better off than jobless - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. Low paid workers are often closer to the bread line than those who have lost their jobs due to the recession, a report published today has … www.politics.co.uk/news/employment/employed-no-better-off-than-jobless-$1258840.htm

7. Milburn back in govt to help ‘disadvantaged’ - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. Gordon Brown has tasked Alan Milburn with improving the life chances of Britain’s poorest children, as a report published today reveals … www.politics.co.uk/news/children-and-family/milburn-back-in-govt-help-disadvantaged–$1260205.htm

8. Failures over NHS IT systems hit crisis point - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. A catalogue of failures in the government’s massive NHS IT project has led health service staff to lose confidence in the records system, … www.politics.co.uk/news/health/failures-over-nhs-it-systems-hit-crisis-point-$1263910.htm

9. Spelman stays despite nannygate investigation - politics.co.uk

   By Laura Miller. Caroline Spelman will not be dropped from the shadow cabinet in the latest Tory reshuffle, despite being under investigation for her use of … www.politics.co.uk/news/legal-and-constitutional/spelman-stays-despite-nannygate-investigation-$1261955.htm

10. Ken Clarke calls Cameron’s marriage policy ’social engineering …

    By Laura Miller. Ken Clarke has reportedly branded David Cameron’s tax plan for married couples as tantamount to “social engineering”, and an ill-advised … www.politics.co.uk/news/children-and-family/ken-clarke-calls-cameron-s-marriage-policy-social-engineering–$1264388.htm

11. Brown and Merkel in talks to end recession - politics.co.uk

    By Laura Miller. Gordon Brown will meet the German Chancellor today to discuss the need for co-operation in tackling the economic crisis. … www.politics.co.uk/news/economy-and-finance/brown-and-merkel-in-talks-to-end-recession-$1261012.htm

12. Politicians coordinate Jewish protection initiative - politics.co.uk

    By Laura Miller. Lib Dem shadow home secretary Chris Huhne has written to home secretary Jacqui Smith urging police vigilance in areas with large Jewish … www.politics.co.uk/news/policing-and-crime/politicians-coordinate-jewish-protection-initiative-$1259108.htm

13. Police to use ‘three strikes’ rule against cannabis users …

    By Laura Miller. Police have introduced a new ‘three strikes’ regime to target cannabis users following the government’s reclassification of the drug to … www.politics.co.uk/news/health/police-to-use-three-strikes-rule-against-cannabis-users-$1263769.htm

14. Tories: We will come clean over UFOs - politics.co.uk

    By Laura Miller. David Cameron has promised to make public any secret files on UFOs if he becomes prime minister. Responding to a question about cover-ups … www.politics.co.uk/news/legal-and-constitutional/tories-we-will-come-clean-over-ufos-$1264157.htm

15. Absent councillors can claim £10000 for nothing - politics.co.uk

    By Laura Miller. Councillors will soon be allowed to stay at home instead of attending meetings and vote by remote control - but still claim thousands in … www.politics.co.uk/news/communities-and-local-government/absent-councillors-can-claim-10-000-for-nothing-$1264871.htm

16. Blair: Hamas must be part of peace talks - politics.co.uk

    By Laura Miller. Hamas must be part of talks to secure peace in the Middle East, former PM Tony Blair said today. Speaking in his role as Middle East peace … www.politics.co.uk/news/foreign-policy/blair-hamas-must-be-part-of-peace-talks-$1262627.htm

17. Shortage of trust in British economy - politics.co.uk

    By Laura Miller. People in Britain no longer trust financial institutions, the markets or the government’s ability to manage the economy, according to a new … www.politics.co.uk/news/economy-and-finance/shortage-of-trust-in-british-economy-$1260814.htm

18. Govt to face legal action from nuclear test veterans - politics.co.uk

    By Laura Miller. Ex-servicemen involved in British nuclear testing in the 1950s are to launch a legal bid against the government at the high court later. … www.politics.co.uk/news/legal-and-constitutional/govt-face-legal-action-from-nuclear-test-veterans-$1262556.htm

19. BBC stars pay ’should be made public’ - politics.co.uk

    By Laura Miller. Salaries of the BBC’s highest paid talent should be revealed to encourage greater transparency within the media industry, according to the … www.politics.co.uk/news/culture-media-and-sport/bbc-stars-pay-should-be-made-public–$1262832.htm

20. Recession ruining Britons’ mental health - politics.co.uk

    By Laura Miller. Mental health problems are on the rise as more people struggle to deal with the effects of the economic crisis, a new survey reveals. … www.politics.co.uk/news/health/recession-ruining-britons-mental-health-$1260598.htm

21. Civil servants wined and dined by failed banks - politics.co.uk

    By Laura Miller. Dozens of senior civil servants enjoyed free lunches, days at sporting events and evenings out paid for by top companies, including failed … www.politics.co.uk/news/legal-and-constitutional/civil-servants-wined-and-dined-by-failed-banks-$1268806.htm

22. Christian advert banned by watchdog

    By Laura Miller. A pro-Christian advert that claims a vaccine to prevent cervical cancer in young women increases teenage infertility has been banned by the … www.politics.co.uk/news/health/christian-advert-banned-by-watchdog-$1264170.htm

23. London Assembly flies stars and stripes - politics.co.uk

    By Laura Miller. The star spangled banner will flutter high over City Hall today as the London mayor celebrates the inauguration of Barack Obama as American … www.politics.co.uk/news/communities-and-local-government/london-city-hall-flies-stars-and-stripes-$1262005.htm

24. Recession hits local councils - politics.co.uk

    By Laura Miller. Unemployment looms for many public sector workers, the Local Government Association (LGA) warned today, as one in seven councils axe jobs … www.politics.co.uk/news//domestic-policy/local-government/recession-hits-local-councils-$1260838.htm

25. Jacqui Smith ordered to return gay refugee -

    By Laura Miller. The home secretary must “use her best endeavours” to bring back a gay asylum seeker illegally deported from the UK, a High Court judge … www.politics.co.uk/news/legal-and-constitutional/jacqui-smith-ordered-to-return-gay-refugee-$1271126.htm

Alan Duncan could join Britain’s 2 million unemployed - politics.co.uk

By Laura Miller. Shadow business secretary Alan Duncan could be the first casualty of a Conservative cabinet reshuffle rumoured for next week. …
www.politics.co.uk/news/children-and-family/employment/alan-duncan-could-join-britain-s-2-million-unemployed-$1259731.htm

The myth of free banking

The joke is part of American comedian Emo Phillips’ stand-up. It is a papraprosdokian, Greek for ‘beyond expectation’; an ostensibly innocuous build up guides us in, a sinister punchline swings out of a shadowy corner. Known in comedy circuits as the ‘garden path gag’ its a favourite amongst satirists, and it seems, bankers.

For a decade since the last decade in which the economy imploded, as consumers we have been encouraged down ill advised financial paths to unmanageable debt. Meanwhile, well-dined bodies in bespoke suits have been racing from London’s Square Mile and New York’s Wall Street in Porsches for second homes in the country. Now, as the global economic down turn tightens its grip millions of people are choking on the credit spoon fed to them by high street advisors, credit mustered out of thin air by the big stock market players enjoying massive profits by risking our security to satisfy their own greed. Individuals eager to safeguard their futures with home ownership are suffering if not repossession crippling debt as banks demand contractual obligations be met regardless. But as the recent trend towards state bail outs of private lenders, and their insurers, is demonstrating, financial institutions are exempt from the accountability they impose on the rest of us. The grim reality is galling; we now have no choice but to pay the poison sellers for their antidote.

Do As We Say Not As We Do

Banks and the transactions that pass through them penetrate too deeply into our lives for governments able to prevent their bankruptcy not to do so, if it comes to that. Even if we are not in debt they hold our savings; cheques and debit cards are worthless if the bank whose name they carry can’t guarantee a release of funds. With that level of immunity, and therefore power, must come the highest level of responsibility. But banks are private corporations, not elected governments held accountable by voters. Despite assurances during the boom years that our power as consumers to tart around from one interest free credit card to another, transferring our steadily increasing negative balances, would act as the best, and only necessary, watchdog of financial practices, it seems the total power invested in banks was corrupting them totally. And we have to pay for their excesses. Interest on what were sold as low rate loans and mortgages has rocketed as lenders try to fill holes they have created by over speculation from our pockets. Millions have been wiped off the value of pension funds joined by the prudent, and gambled by the reckless. Money we have given up to the government as tax to educate, heal, rehabilitate, and keep us during old age is being sucked into state sponsored rescue packages and nationalisation.

Lucky for us we still have free banking.

Back in 2005 some British customers rebelled against the banks’ practice of charging up to £40 a pop for unauthorised overdrafts, failed cheques or returned direct debits, and demanded reimbursement. To silence these initial trouble makers, the banks gave in. By spring 2006 the media had got hold of the story. The resulting publicity encouraged tens of thousands of account holders to write to their banks asking for money paid in exorbitant fees back. Faced with the prospect of laying out billions in reclaims, the industry threatened that if campaigners were to succeed in their attempts to claim back up to six years of past charges it would spell the end of ‘free banking’.

Around the same time a similar, longstanding insurgence against the all powerful banking cartels was rising to a head across the Atlantic, and American account holders were also told they had never had it so good. Fritz Elmendorf, VP of Communications for the not-for-profit Consumer Bankers Association, (a US trade organisation representing financial institutions offering retail lending and services like credit cards, mortgages, student and small business loans) said: ‘Banking was never free because [prior to deregulation] consumers were not getting a market rate on their savings and were paying a lot more for loans.’ Elmendorf was quoted in 2002, in a CNN Money article highlighting fees as a product of the increased competition faced by US banks after deregulation. Fees, argued advocates, represent a fairer banking model; those who cost the bank money through unauthorised borrowing pay penalties, while everyone else enjoys current accounts at no cost.

Stephen Rotella, President and Chief Operating Officer of Washington Mutual, the largest savings and loans association in the US, disagrees. Speaking to USA Today in March 2006 he warned: ‘A lot of banks are claiming to have free checking. What you’ve found is there are a lot of barriers and hooks for consumers.’ Barriers like minimum balance requirements and hooks like temporarily low interest rates on overdrafts or balance transfers to their credit card; enticements to buy now and worry later, when whatever you bought is costing you significantly more in repayments than the price paid by people able to pay outright that day in cash.

Watch Your Pockets

For UK customers at least, Rotella’s concern has since been upheld by the British judiciary. Far from being intrinsic to the fabric of fairer banking, in late April 2008 a British High Court judge confirmed that UK banks’ penalty charges are subject to the same fair practice rules as the rest of their products, services, terms and conditions. The banks have been given leave to appeal the decision. Currently the UK Office of Fair Trading is determining whether the fees are actually unfair.

Pre-emptive of an unfavourable decision, banks are now saying that if they can’t take money out of the pockets of those who exceed their agreed limits, often by as little as £5, via a series of hidden charges they will take money from all our pockets. The move seems designed to divide those in credit against those in debt (or who simply forgot to cancel a direct debit). What our financial institutions neglect to mention is that our global banking system is anything but free. And as usual the poorest pay the most.

There’s nothing funny about the current economic crisis, which is why we don’t let comedians make our financial decisions. Why then can bankers get away with telling us that we enjoy ‘free’ use of their services when the reality is that we pay them while we diligently look after their fabricated credit, and pay them even more when they piss our real money up a wall in the South of France? Bankers receive huge annual bonuses based on the number of deals they make, bonuses which are theirs to keep irrespective of how the market performs. And funding the extravagant lifestyles those bonuses afford are the family now living in at best in cramped temporary sheltered accommodation.

Crime And Punishment

‘Council War To Flush Out Benefit Cheats’. It is the front page splash of the Stratford and Newham Express, my local weekly. The article reports how a local man in his fifties has ‘received a suspended jail sentence for dishonestly obtaining nearly £14,500 in benefits.’ He must pay back the money, plus £350 in court costs. The man’s name and address are included next to his crime. Justice is done; taxpayers deserve to expect that while they support the welfare state through taxation, the system must not be abused for private gain. The Plaistow man got less than £15,000, which he has been ordered to return. When will we as taxpayers be reinbursed the £50 billion it cost to nationalise the mismanaged Northern Rock?

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Banking Crisis Timeline (source: BBC): http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7521250.stm

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‘Bank failures are caused by depositors who don’t deposit enough money to cover losses due to mismanagement.’

Dan Quayle, US 44th US Vice President under George Bush (1989-93). b.1947

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‘I hate banks. They do nothing positive for anybody except take care of themselves. They’re first in with their fees and first out when there’s trouble.‘

Earl Warren (US Republican Politician and Judge, 1891-1974)