Enquiry into the last Government's relations with Libya

Following relevations of extensive co-operation between the last Labour  Government, and Colonel Gadaffi, I have tabled a Commons Motion urging an Independent Enquiry into these relations and the lessons that should be learnt.

Documents found in Tripoli, show the full extent of Blair/Brown collaboration with the Libyan Regime, involving diplomacy, political friendships and the security services.  As I said some months ago, the fish rots from the head down: the decision to appease Gadaffi, infected both British Companies and a number of our academic institutions, who rushed to Tripoli, to take monies from this Tyrant.  It should never be forgotten that Gadaffi was the man who murdered our own citizens through the Lockerbie bombing, and for many years funded the IRA.

You can click here to see my Motion.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

BlackBerry Harmony

I can't help it, but I love this advert.

I don't have one of these new Blackberries, but as a mobile enthusiast, you can't but help admire the technological genius.

Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Government confirms: Harlow Enterprise Zone to launch in April 2013

Today in Parliament I welcomed the new Enterprise Zone that is coming to Harlow, after an extended campaign over the last year, and asked when we could get it moving.

I asked the Government:

"Does my Honourable Friend agree that the new Enterprise Zones will actually transform the fiscal situation for local businesses? And as there is a new Enterprise Zone in Harlow, can he set out the tax advantages and when they will start?"

The Government's response was:

"I am delighted to see that one of the two Enterprise Zones in the South East Local Enterprise Partnership will be in Harlow, my Honourable Friend's constituency. 100% of business rates collected on the Harlow site will be retained for 25 years to be spent on local economic priorities. This will be possible from April 2013 once neccesary legislation is passed. Businesses will also benefit from simplified planning and Government support to ensure that superfast broadband is rolled out throughout the zone."


by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

E-Petition for Cheaper Petrol mentioned on BBC Daily Politics

As regular readers will know, I have been campaigning with FairFuelUK for cheaper petrol and diesel. The most important thing is stopping the planned 4p increase in fuel duty that is scheduled for January and August 2012.

So far, the Government has delayed these plans (which were inherited from Gordon Brown) but we need to scrap them entirely.

I have started an e-petition calling for this, with FairFuelUK, as mentioned on the clip from the BBC Daily Politics show above. If we get 100,000 signatures it will help us to secure a debate in Parliament and keep this issue high up the Government's agenda.

You can sign the e-petition HERE.



by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Vote for Razed Roof charity to win £10,000

If you have a spare minute today, please vote for Harlow charity Razed Roof to win £10,000 from the National Lottery Good Causes fund.

You can vote HERE.

Razed Roof is a really amazing organisation and they deserve all the support possible. Please do vote for them if you have a chance.

You can see more details in the video below, or on their website here:




by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

An every day story of Apple Folk

(Picture From PhoneArena.com)

Although I prefer Blackberry, it is impossible not to recognise the genius of Apple. Nevertheless, one of my main objections has been the somewhat authoritarian nature of its products. Not only does it provide the infrastructure - fair enough - but it ties you to their ecosystem completely, without any alternative.

Imagine going to Tesco, for example, and, as well as the supermarket providing the infrastructure of the shopping experience, every food item you bought had to be Tesco-branded. So no Heinz Ketchup, only Tesco Ketchup.  Well, that is the problem with Apple IMania. Not only are you 'chained' into their ecosystem, but you are then subject to tough and arbitrary rules on apps, subscriptions, etc. Hence last week's courageous decision by the Financial Times to withdraw from having an iPhone/iPad app.

Of course, no one is forced to buy Apple Products, and the fact that so many do, and are happy to become willing subjects of the Apple ecosystem, is testament to how good Apple actually is. But that won't last forever - particular when fashions change and consumers move onto the next big thing. Remember when Microsoft was King?

I thought of Apple authoritarianism, after hearing of the iPhone 5 prototype that was left in a bar by a hapless employee. The iPhone 4 was also left in a bar (a different one), and subsequently sold to a techie website. At first I imagined that 'the left in the bar iPhone story' was too astounding to be a coincidence - that Apple was just 'leaking iPhone proto-types, in order to salivate future customers.

But then I came across this incredible story on a number of mobile technology websites, which is gradually spreading to the mainstream media.  

Apparently, using location systems embedded on the iPhone, Apple tracked its lost prototype, to a house in San Francisco. The house was then searched by Police. Except it wasn't. It was searched by Apple employees (direct or indirect), pretending to be cops.

The owner of the house let the 'Apple Police' in and allowed them to inspect his premises, thinking they were real police. No iPhone 5 was found. There are now conflicting stories as to whether or not the police were involved in any way.

Of course, it wouldn't be hard to make a film of such events, and it would be a mighty fascinating one. But am I wrong in thinking behind this story, lurks an Apple that has gone beyond its core role? Of course the company wanted to recover its loss product, and have every right to do so, but allegedly impersonating police officers, and behaving in such an authoritarian manner begs the question: has the Big Apple become Big Brother?

For more information, you can read here and here. This blog post, also appeared on Conservative Home.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

The cultural vandals at the Proms

As you will see from this Video I found from YouTube, last night, the Proms were disrupted by protesters. The reason was simple: the BBC had dared to invite the renowned conductor Zubin Mehta and the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra to perform at the Royal Albert Hall.

Hard-line pro-Palestinian activists started shouting at the Israelis on stage. It is both sad and fascinating that they saw this act of cultural vandalism as a way of making their opposition to all things Israeli, all too clear. What was heartening was the response of most of the audience, who booed the protesters and shouted 'out, out, out', until they were eventually removed by security.

Cultural vandalism can be quite chilling. Its most extreme proponent in the last Century was Goebbels, who burnt any books with a Jewish association, whether it was the authors or in the writings. Its most stupid is Dunbartonshire Council which has sought to ban Israeli books from its Libraries.

Nevertheless, the fundamentals are the same: an attempt to shut down Jewish culture.

A couple of other points are worth noting: First, Zubin Mehta and the IPO have made great strides in building better relations between Jews and Arabs. Mr Mehta has started a special education project for this purpose - a fact wilfully ignored by the activists. Second, is it not astonishing that whilst President Assad has been murdering his way through Syria, there has been barely a peep of protest from these kind of people. It is just Israel - the only democracy in the Middle East -that is the focus of their hate.

P.S. Apparently, the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign called for the Concert to be boycotted. If you want to understand the motivations of the PSC, have a look at this post from the left wing blog 'Harry's Place', here. 

This makes interesting reading as well.


by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Thank you Mr Fleming

Today, I was given an injection containing some strong antibiotics: some bacteria bad entered the inside of my foot, leading to redness and swelling. My symptom was easily curable but dangerous if not treated, as I was told that the infection could quickly spread through the foot and up the leg. Yet, within a few minutes - at little cost - my problem was sorted.

As I left the Doctor's somewhat relieved (having been a little anxious beforehand), I had a long thought about Alexander Fleming. Had I been alive before the Second World War, the medical solution to my relatively small problem would have been left to the Gods. It would have spread, and I might have possibly lost the use of my leg.

That is why I said thank you Mr Fleming a few times to myself. You can think of what he discovered, be amazed how so many medical problems are cured so quickly, and never take his genius - his gift to human-kind - for granted.

P.S. You can read more about Mr Fleming here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Fleming

Statement on Pitney Bowes in Harlow

Harlow-employer Pitney Bowes has today put out a statement saying that they intend to relocate staff to a new premises.

This is because an internal review has shown it would cost around £44 million in order to bring the site in line with Pitney Bowes’ requirements and local building standards.

Pitney Bowes has occupied the Pinnacles site in Harlow for over 45 years.

They have looked extensively in the Harlow area, but as yet have not found a suitable site. As a result, their current proposal is "to find suitable accommodation next year in Harlow for approximately 200 staff and to relocate the remaining 450 employees to a location in the Hatfield area."

However, they have also said that "given the recent Enterprise Zone announcement Pitney Bowes is in discussions, to identify any options in these plans that may impact this proposed move."

Patrick Jelly, the Pitney Bowes UK Managing Director, has said: “After so many years based in Harlow we had hoped to find suitable premises close by but this proved impossible given our space requirements. However, we still aim to remain a major employer in the town."

As local MP, I am grateful to Pitney Bowes for opening up discussions with me at an early stage, and also with Harlow Council to examine if any other options are viable for the company to remain in Harlow.

Pitney Bowes has a valued and historic presence in our town. They have also been active in supporting local community projects. Despite the announcement, it is good that they have pledged to maintain about 200 employees here.

I will continue to work hard with Pitney Bowes over the weeks ahead, to see what can be done. Further to the conversations I have had in the last few days, I will be meeting with employees and management as soon as possible. I will also be speaking with the Government Minister for Business.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com