IN BRITAIN TODAY - A HAPPIER PLACE TO LIVE ?

DEFINITIVE CHANGE FOR THE BETTER

Some Proposals to make Britain a happier, more democratic and fairer society in the 21st Century

Most of us In Britain Today want change that will improve our standing of living and give us hope for a happy and enjoyable future. The trouble is that most of us have good memories and we are sceptical about any real promises from Politicians - we doubt that their promises will make much difference. It is macabre that the Labour government have found billions of pounds to prop up the Banks and the Economy whilst a few years ago Gordon Brown as Chancellor in one of his budgets found 7p – that’s right – seven pence per week to add on to the state pensions. Macabre is an understatement.

The British people are often blamed for not participating in the political process – not that they have much chance in our current Democracy. At least the Conservative Party are trying to engage the public in a dialogue but will it count in the long run ?

Here are some concrete proposals to make Britain a better place to live in the next 10 years. We have to deal with the deficit but this should not be an excuse to delay making changes that really matter and make a difference.

PENSIONERS

The State Pensions should be tax free. Do not tell me that they are. The State Pension might be paid free of tax but the Inland Revenue deduct the pension amount from Personal Allowances. So, if you have worked for say 47 years and your company and you have paid into a State Pension scheme, you do in effect get taxed on your State Pension. This is grossly unfair on those people who have retired.

The second step that should be taken is to increase the level of State Pension by at least 50 %. Ask yourself, what will they do with this extra money. Answer – spend it. Good for the Economy and good for Britain. More tax revenue from VAT and other taxes.

No pensioner should have to sell their home to pay for Healthcare. Politicians talk about this – so do something about it. This is Change that matters.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

A home should not be the prerogative of the young, unemployed, poor, single parent, immigrant, asylum seekers or just for those on incapacity benefit. I am not, repeat not saying that these groups should not be catered for. However, there are other worthy groups such as pensioners, those who have suffered financially from divorce – particularly later in life, healthcare staff and other key groups. But, you will hear the Politicians say, we do not have the resources. Rubbish ! Here are some creative if not controversial ideas to increase the affordable housing stock.

Farm Land

Release some farm land where it is cheaper to import food and more socially beneficial to build homes.

National Parks

We need to protect most of the National Parkland but a proportion of Parkland can be released – look at the National Forest – it is vast and you would not notice some carefully constructed eco friendly New Villages.

Crown Land & Historical Land Clawback

Crown land is another source of land for creating Eco Friendly Villages. A certain amount of Crown Land and Historical Aristocratic Lands should be subject to National Clawback. Most of these lands were gained and inherited from the wars of history and the gluttoness

mis -appropriation of land by past Monarchies and they have no moral justification in the 21st Century world we live in. A new equilibrium needs to be established and that means freeing up some of these lands for affordable housing and not speculative building projects.

National Trust Land

The National Trust own many sites where there are extensive lands which could be used tastefully to build Eco Friendly Villages. People would still be left with ample space and opportunity to visit Country Houses and gardens. The National Trust could be the spearhead for the creation of many EcoTrust Villages throughout the country. Many are near towns so communications and social infrastructures would be easily maintained. The New Trust Villages would have character and they would blend into the nature of the National Trust property. The land cost would be nil for building so as to keep the cost of National Trust homes low and affordable.

Role of Local Councils.

Lands designated for Eco Friendly Villages should be given to Local Councils for nil cost building land to contruct affordable housing. There should be no hidden taxes on these new build houses. Nor should any apartment blocks be permitted to be built on these lands. The Government should provide reduced company tax incentives to builders who participate in these new home schemes. Housing Associations should be encouraged to work with local Authorities and tax incentives should also be offered.

Brown Sites & Regeneration Schemes

These new ideas are additional to brown site schemes, inner city and suburban regeneration schemes which are already in existance and in the planning stages.

What an outcry these new ideas would cause from special interest groups. My submissiom is that it would make little difference to the enjoyment of these groups. It would make a massive difference in the increase of affordable housing stock throughout the country and it would recreate the Village Life of Britain which is so badly missed in today’s countryside. Perhaps it may also increase social harmony and the wellbeing of Britain’s citizens. At least these ideas are worthy of a full investigation and appraisal by Government and interested parties.

NON RESIDENT TAX STATUS

Anyone born in Britain and deemed to be a British National should pay UK taxes wherever they live in the world. There should be no tax exemptions for the non domiciled – end of story! This applies to personal income, investments, company shares and overseas homes.

DEFENSE EXPENDITURE

Many people believe that the United Nations is a costly and wasteful organisation. In future, wars such as currently in Iraq and Afgansitan should be financed by the United Nations and not by individual countries like Britain and the United States of America. We are wasting billions of pounds in defense expenditure and the burden should be spread more widespread across the United Nations.

A SMALLER PARLIAMENT

The House of Commons should be reduced in number of MPs by 50%.

The House of Lords should be an elected Upper Chamber and reduced by 50%.

There have been enough talk for over 50 years or more. Now, change is needed and it has to be radical and more dynamic.

Local Authorities should have more widespread powers to serve the people.

The Scottish Parliament and The Wales Assembly should have greater powers of autonomy including more widespread tax raising and spending powers.

QUO VADIS BRITAIN ?

People do want change and not tinkering at the edges. These are just a few radical suggestions. They need to be studied in detail of course but unless we have Real Leaders for Change that Matters we will not see any material changes – not on this Earth.

So, Quo Vadis ? Where do we go from here? Not far whilst there is an Election on the horizon. We cannot alienate the voters.

However, if a Party wishes to win a good majority in the new Parliament, I suggest they promote one change as a priority – win over the Over 50 Plus vote - offer a real change – be adventerous – and make this group the flagship and example of making lives better in the near future and not in Neverland. Go for it whoever is listening !