Lubrication
"So what? We did not invent corruption'
That's Prince Bandar's 
defence for trousering £1billion bribe. He cheerfully confessed to taking $10 million in a suitcase to Italy in 1983 to fund the Christian Democrats' election campaign. I smell more secrets. What other rights wing causes has the Prince been bank rolling?
He also said he took the cash to Italy at the request of the Pope, Margaret Thatcher and the CIA. Pinochet also benefited from the Prince's largesse. No, you could not make it up.
Britain is hooked on arms deals. The Tornado and its successor the Eurofighter are expensive second rate planes. They exist as a result of two lots of corruption. First is the inherent political blackmail of winning politicians with promises of jobs in their constituencies. British and European nationalism underpin our poor value armament industry. The second corruption is that the only buyers are the countries in which the goods are made and foreign countries that are open bribery.
Concorde, Eurofighter, Airbus and Galileo are self-indulgent excesses which have never been fairly audited. None have or will be profitable in commercial terms. Their costs are at least four times the world prices. Depending on home sales and bribes has robbed Euro industry of the cutting edge that could have made it a competitor in the markets of the world.
Will we ever learn?
Lucky children
Ahh, the joys of being MP for Newport West!
Yesterday I was put to the test by searching questions by the children of Malpas Primary Court School on Fair Trade, the Environment and Global Footprint. The children were well-informed, lively and obviously concerned and committed.
If only these children were advising the world leaders at the G8 summit. They spoke with clarity and conviction on the threat to our global habitat that spells deadly peril to their future grandchildren. It was also a chance to congratulate the school of its Investor in People award. It follows on from the school's successful ESTYN Inspection in 2005. The inspection placed the school in the top 5% in Wales for quality. The Investors Award recognises the excellent progress made at the school.2002
One of the ten year olds, who regularly watches science programmes on TV stumped me with a question on the Gulf Stream. It was suggested that when there was a recent vacancy for a head of a neighbouring school, this lad might have applied for the job. This is a happy successful school that continues to deliver great things for its fortunate children.
Click on picture which shows Head Teacher: Deb Guy, Vice Chair of Governors: Cllr.David Mayer, Deputy Head: Gill Benson and me. The school website is:-
http://www.newportsouthwales.net/malpascourt/Courtschoolintro/courtschool.html
Croeso
Welcome to Refugee Week 2007 will be celebrated next week at the Riverfront Art Centre by emphasising the contribution of refugees to British culture, society and economy plus the warmth of the welcome given them by the Great British public.
The main part of Newport ’s celebration this year will be an exhibition of art, paintings and photography by and about refugees and asylum seekers which will be on show in the Riverfront Gallery from 16th June until 15th July. They kick off with a celebration featuring, Traditional African Drumming Workshops, Food from the Diaspora,, Music from Karl Butcher, African Storytelling with Norbert Mbu Mputu, Music from Leanne Taylor.
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