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Robin’s politics are simple. He is not bound by dogma and
believes that all policies should take in the needs of people, the environment
and the economy – and be driven by common sense. He considers that a manic mix
of the free market, globalisation, greed and petty party politics (money
+bigotry) has created Britain’s present sorry state.
He started out in politics as a Conservative, standing in
the 1979 election as the Party’s candidate in Bethnal Green. He easily saved
his deposit and secured the second highest swing to the Tories in the country.
However, he was not happy – he did not like what he saw, or most of the
politicians he met – some of whom would have sold their grandmothers to gain a
few extra votes.
The only politician he liked was Labour’s Peter Shore, MP
for the adjoining constituency of Stepney. He was one of the few honest and
likeable politicians that Robin has met.
At the time of the next election Robin was researching and
writing his book “The Wildlife of the Royal Estates”, which he regarded as
being more interesting and more important than politics.
In due course he left the Tories, disillusioned with their
obsessions for the free market and privatisation, and their many deceptions
over Europe. He disagreed with the privatisation of water, electricity and the
railways, while at the same time agreeing with tighter controls limiting the
irresponsible actions of some unions.
He regards the present Tories as superficial and David “call
me Dave” Cameron as shallow. “If he was a puddle you could walk through it
without getting your feet wet”, says Robin, “ and as for his claim that he is
the “heir to Blair” – sorry “Dave”, one Blair was more than enough”.
In 1996 he joined the Referendum Party, and after speaking
at its Party Conference in Brighton was invited to serve on its Council by Sir
James Goldsmith. In 1997 he stood for the Referendum Party in South
Cambridgeshire, easily saving his deposit again.
With the death of Jimmy Goldsmith and the demise of the
Referendum Party, Robin joined UKIP – then a “green” and idealistic party
fighting against the idea/reality of the European Superstate.
Sadly, UKIP has changed into a free-market, globalised
organisation to the right of Margaret Thatcher – some think that it is now to
the right of Attila the Hun. While criticising the gravy train and lack of
democracy at the European Parliament, UKIP MEPs, once elected, quickly seem to
cover themselves with gravy and become reluctant to get off the train. Of the
2004 intake of 12 UKIP MEPs, 2 ended up in prison for fraud.
Former leader Nigel Farage has boasted of making £2m in
European expenses, in addition to his salary, and Robin believes that when
leader, Nigel Farage misled him on a number of occasions.
Because of the behaviour and apparent lack of integrity of
some of the UKIP’s hierarchy Robin left UKIP in 2009. He believes that there
are several unanswered questions concerning UKIP’s finances and governance and
considers that the Party hierarchy no longer represents its grass roots. He is
puzzled by the fact that in the autumn of 2009 Nigel Farage pulled out of a
television programme also featuring Robin – the big question is why?
Robin feels very sorry for the people of Buckingham – the
Labour crook Robert Maxwell once represented them. The bumptious and
self-important John Bercow currently represents them. Now “Mr Expenses” Nigel
Farage, who lives in Kent, has announced that he wants to win the seat. Oh
dear, poor Buckingham.
Yet more revelations in the media have convinced Robin that
a major investigation needs to be undertaken into UKIP’s internal organisation
and finances. In his opinion the only suitable word to describe UKIP at the
moment is “corrupt”.
Because of all this Robin is now an Independent. He believes
that this should be the way forward for a Parliament that truly represents the
people. For thirty-four years, or was it 36? Robin was a genuinely Independent
councillor on South Cambridgeshire District Council. He believes that as the political
groups became stronger, so the work and vision of the Council became weaker.
Party was put before People.
Almost uniquely among the councillors Robin did not claim
all his expenses while on the Council. Neither did he claim the two “free
computers” offered to him – he believes that such an offer was disgraceful and
paid for by ordinary Council Tax Payers. He was appalled by the apparent greed
of some councillors as they tried to grab every perk and allowance going.
At both National and Local levels, Robin believes that
self-service has almost entirely replaced public service.
He wants to see Parliament and local Councils reformed so
that they become the conduits for ideas and the wishes of the people – not
stagnant pools of dogma and expenses claims, supported by the bribes of the
Unions and Big Business, and kept in place by the Party Whips.
SEE Robin’s Manifestoes.
THE MANIFESTO FOR THE COUNTRY
And
THE MANIFESTO FOR THE COUNTRYSIDE
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