A New Look, a New Focus

When I began this blog, back at the turn of the century, I was a Lecturer in Law; and also in British & European Politics & Government. Additionally I worked at Westminster - first for a couple of MPs and latterly for two members of the House of Lords. I had been a Parliamentary Candidate twice (Blaby 2001, 2005). Subsequently I stood for Parliament in 2019 in the neighboring constituency (to my home in Milton Keynes) of Buckingham. I am now fully retired. Much has changed since I kept this blog on a regular basis. I'm older, hopefully a bit wiser. I've done some more broadcasting, but now am pretty free to do whatever I want. I grow increasing concerned at the direction that politics in Britain (and in other parts of the World) have taken. I used to love political campaigning - and have campaigned frequently in the UK and the USA. You can read previous posts describing those activities and my observations. Campaigning has developed as academics have researched into the effectiveness of different tools and tactics. My fear is that Political Consultants, and Politicians themselves, have learnt what works - but without considering the consequences. Naked manipulation has become the order of the day - but its effectiveness has declined. Today we are less trusting, less sympathetic to what our representatives do - sometimes with good cause. We have more opportunity to express our views - but have less influence in decision making. I started reading Andrew Blick and Peter Hennessy's "The Bonfire of the Decencies" this morning. they begin by saying "Our central thesis is that mechanisms for the upholding of constitutional principles in the United Kingdom are deficient and require an overhaul." Written Constitutions, with Separation of Powers, are failing in other countries too - the USA is a case in point. But France may see a lurch towards right wing authoritarian government in the next elections - some member states of the EU already have leaders who have little respect for democracy. Can the tide be turned? Or is Democracy destined to die a painful death? I remain optimistic. We have fought for rights and freedoms in the past. It won't be pleasant or comfortable - but it can be done. what can we learn from the struggles of our ancestors? The "New" Washminster will look at how institutions are changing, and at how we can learn from the struggles of previous centuries. I value your observations and suggestions. Let's engage in conversations about how we can attain a better future. David

1st Round Regional Elections in France

Some places to go to for news about the first round of the Regional Elections in France which took place yesterday. The Second Round takes place next Sunday (June 27th)

Le Monde - national newspaper which has published all the results online on its website 

News pieces on the elections can be accessed by clicking on the name of the news outlet

Reuters

Politico Europe

The Guardian

BBC

France 24

The Candidates in "la primaire de la gauche"

A week on Sunday, supporters of the Parti socialiste and associated parties of the left, will participate in a primary to select a candidate to represent them for the French presidential election. Not all left wing parties are participating, but the winner is likely to be regarded as the mainstream candidate opposing François Fillon (Les républicains) and Marine Le Pen (Le Front national). The election has two rounds, with the two candidates gaining most vote on 22nd January going forward to the second round on 29th January.

The candidates are -

Manuel Valls - Prime Minister under President Hollande from 2014 until December 6th 2016.  His

website is http://manuelvalls.fr He has been a member of the Assemblée nationale, Interior Minister and Prime Minister. He ran for the Parti socialiste nomination in 2012, describing himself as "Blairiste" or "Clintonien".


Arnaud Montebourg - His website is http://www.arnaudmontebourg-2017.fr. He told the UK



Guardian that he saw himself as a French version of Bernie Sanders. Like Valls he ran for the nomination in 2012. He was Minister for Industrial Renewal from 2012-14, serving under both Ayrault and Valls


Benoît Hamon - A former Minister for Education (April - August 2014); MEP 2004-09 and a leader of the left wing at the 2008 PS Reims Congress.  He resigned from the government in August 2014  in protest as Hollande's "abandonment of a socialist agenda" His website is https://www.benoithamon2017.fr



of the left wing at the 2008 PS Reims Congress.  He resigned from the government in August 2014  in protest as Hollande's "abandonment of a socialist agenda" His website is https://www.benoithamon2017.fr


Vincent Peillon - Also a former Minister of Education (and former teacher 1984-92; 1993-97), he was elected as an MEP in 2014, having served in the Assemblée nationale in 1997-2002. L'Express has described him as "à équidistance de Manuel Valls, et des frondeurs" [halfway between Valls and the PS rebels on the left]. His website is http://www.vp2017.fr



was elected as an MEP in 2014, having served in the Assemblée nationale in 1997-2002. L'Express has described him as "à équidistance de Manuel Valls, et des frondeurs" [halfway between Valls and the PS rebels on the left]. His website is http://www.vp2017.fr


Sylvia Pinel - Leader of the moderate and social-liberal centre-left Parti Radical de Gauche. Minister



of Territorial Equality and Housing under the Valls premiership, leaving in February 2011. Her programme can be found at http://www.partiradicaldegauche.fr/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Projet-SP_final.pdf


François de Rugy - A member of the Assemblée nationale since 2007, he is a former member of



EELV (Europe Ecology - The Greens) but formed his own party - Écologistes! - after breaking with EELV over their alliances with the left-wing Front de Gauche. His website is https://www.derugy2017.fr


Jean-Luc Bennahmias - An MEP for 10 years from the South of France.


He formed his own party - the Front démocrate in 2014. His website is http://jlbennahmias2017.fr

If you read French, there is a full description of each of the candidates here.

Useful sites for following the Primary are -

France 24 - English, French - Who are the candidates?
Le Monde - Primaire de la gauche
Liberation
L'Express
Le Point

The France Show

This annual event moves this year from Earls Court to Olympia. I'll be popping down to it, as I have for the last few years. While I have no intention (or the resources) to buy a property in France - there is much to see - that could take up all three days of the show.

I enjoy the various presentations - particularly the "Flavours of France" - where some excellent cooks share their experience and recipes. I ended up going for two days last year - and much of it was taken up with this. There is also lots of material on the French Language - both resources to buy and presentations to attend.

Then there is the "tourism" part - lots of stalls giving ideas for trips and holidays through out France.
Finally there is a section for buying French products - from food to other gifts. It was at the French show that I signed up for an offer to subscribe to the New York Times (which has been fantastic - both for current news - and archives (and as a researcher into US political history - that has proved a very valuable online resource).

In addition there are wine tastings - I'm planning on extending my knowledge of Bordeaux wines - and of course there is the Property Show.

For further information - press ICI

Conseil des ministres

The French Government provides a useful summary of matters dealt with at the meeting of (the French equivalent of the Cabinet). Last week's newletter can be found at http://www.gouvernement.fr/newsletter/34

It is possible to subscribe to an email - and the good news is that this can be viewed in a number of different languages, though you need to sign at  http://www.gouvernement.fr/recevez-nos-actualites

The membership of the Conseil is set out (in English) at http://www.gouvernement.fr/en/composition-of-the-government

Washminster is back!

... and thanks for your patience.

A little background. I now run two blogs - "Washminster" which covers matters related to the British Parliament; the US Congress; the European Parliament; and French politics generally. If you look back at previous posts you'll see that I interpret "matters related" very generously. The history behind each of them fascinates me - and helps an understanding of some of the quirks that are associated.

Do have a look at some of the previous posts - this blog has been running for over seven years - and has "reported" on trips to Washington and France - I have been a candidate for the European Parliament and worked part time at Westminster during that period. My paid work now is limited to teaching Law on two Open University courses - so there's quite a legal angle on some issues - and lots of revision and other learning material.

As Washminster revives do send me your comments - and suggestions for topics to post on.

Is Washminster to return?

The return of Washminster - albeit with a slightly different focus - is under active discussion.

It is proposed that the New Washminster will build on its foundations of providing resources on the US Congress; UK Parliament; and UK Legal Studies - and provide background and comment on events within six areas

* The United States (still with a focus on the US Congress)
* The United Kingdom (maintaining a solid foundation of items about the UK Parliament and matters related to UK Law - English Legal System, Constitutional Law, EU Law)
* France
* The European Union
* China
* Matters of International interest

A proposed new logo can be seen above.

Please do make any comments and suggestions.

David

The France Show

I travelled down to London on Friday and Saturday to visit "The French Show". This is my third year - and it has become a highlight of mid January. (Last year we had heavy snow - so it wasn't as crowded on the Friday).

Really there are two exhibitions running together in Earls Court. One is for property owners and prospective property owners. Lots of Estate Agents; Lawyers; Removal Companies; Banks etc. A second home in France would be nice - but a little beyond my budget - and anyway, living in Milton Keynes has a lot of attractions which I never had living elsewhere in England. So I had only a cursory look round that part of the show.

Much of my time was spent at the "Flavours of France" Theatre. There were cookery presentations - which have given me lots of ideas for cooking in the months ahead. Christine Vidal of "Made in Provence" made a superb "Risotto de Petit Epeautre de Haute-Provence". I tasted in - and have bought some "Petit Epeautre" to make some at home. Guy Wolley acted as host for the events in the theatre and also gave his own presentation. Chicken with Fennel Chorizo is going on my "to do list".
I enjoyed Clotilde Dusoulier's demonstration - her recipes for vegetarian French meals can be found in her latest book - and I look forward to making some avocado & radish mini tartines. She was one of the first cookery bloggers - at Chocolate & Zucchini. Worth a visit.

Jean-Christophe Novelli gave an inspiring demonstration. He (being of a similar age to me) has become more and more concerned with healthy eating. He gave tips on how to reduce saturated far; salt and sugar - whilst maintaining superb taste.

The cookery demonstrations were just a part of the Show – I will write more about the Show soon!

Bastille Day

 

Today the French (and Francophiles) around the world will be celebrating 'La fete nationale', the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille in the early months of the French Revolution. A symbolic reminder that government is not about the whims of those who find themselves in power - but about all the individuals who make up the people of a nation.

There will be celebrations in London today (I'm heading down there shortly). In the Borough Market a host of events - fun; games; music & food - and an evening party lie ahead. If you can make it details of location and events can be found at

http://www.bastillefestival.co.uk/

The day kicks off at noon - and the programme can be found here.

In France itself, the Bastille Day parade is already underway - TV5 are broadcasting it live. I just popped into our lounge to see President Hollande waving in the sunshine.

The Tour de France continues. There has been some excellent coverage on ITV4 - I just love watching the race - lots of cycling excitement plus some beautiful countryside. Le Monde also has good updates through its website. I'm glad to see that Ian Stannard continues his ride and is helping keep Chris Froome in the yellow jersey. Ian moved to Milton Keynes and took to competitive racing at the Milton Keynes Bowl (which is very close to where I live - just across the Roman Watling Street (V4 to the locals).

Well, I'm off to catch the train  to London. Have a great Bastille Day!

Rights!

This Sunday will be the "La Fete nationale" in France - a day which commemorates the storming of the Bastille - an iconic event in the French Revolution.

One of the great things to come from that year of 1789 was the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. It is worth reading in full. [English translation]

The representatives of the French people, organized as a National Assembly, believing that the ignorance, neglect, or contempt of the rights of man are the sole cause of public calamities and of the corruption of governments, have determined to set forth in a solemn declaration the natural, unalienable, and sacred rights of man, in order that this declaration, being constantly before all the members of the Social body, shall remind them continually of their rights and duties; in order that the acts of the legislative power, as well as those of the executive power, may be compared at any moment with the objects and purposes of all political institutions and may thus be more respected, and, lastly, in order that the grievances of the citizens, based hereafter upon simple and incontestable principles, shall tend to the maintenance of the constitution and redound to the happiness of all. Therefore the National Assembly recognizes and proclaims, in the presence and under the auspices of the Supreme Being, the following rights of man and of the citizen:

Articles:

1.  Men are born and remain free and equal in rights. Social distinctions may be founded only upon the general good.

2.  The aim of all political association is the preservation of the natural and imprescriptible rights of man. These rights are liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression.

3.  The principle of all sovereignty resides essentially in the nation. No body nor individual may exercise any authority which does not proceed directly from the nation.

4.  Liberty consists in the freedom to do everything which injures no one else; hence the exercise of the natural rights of each man has no limits except those which assure to the other members of the society the enjoyment of the same rights. These limits can only be determined by law.

5.  Law can only prohibit such actions as are hurtful to society. Nothing may be prevented which is not forbidden by law, and no one may be forced to do anything not provided for by law.

6.  Law is the expression of the general will. Every citizen has a right to participate personally, or through his representative, in its foundation. It must be the same for all, whether it protects or punishes. All citizens, being equal in the eyes of the law, are equally eligible to all dignities and to all public positions and occupations, according to their abilities, and without distinction except that of their virtues and talents.

7.  No person shall be accused, arrested, or imprisoned except in the cases and according to the forms prescribed by law. Any one soliciting, transmitting, executing, or causing to be executed, any arbitrary order, shall be punished. But any citizen summoned or arrested in virtue of the law shall submit without delay, as resistance constitutes an offense.

8.  The law shall provide for such punishments only as are strictly and obviously necessary, and no one shall suffer punishment except it be legally inflicted in virtue of a law passed and promulgated before the commission of the offense.

9.  As all persons are held innocent until they shall have been declared guilty, if arrest shall be deemed indispensable, all harshness not essential to the securing of the prisoner's person shall be severely repressed by law.

10.  No one shall be disquieted on account of his opinions, including his religious views, provided their manifestation does not disturb the public order established by law.

11.  The free communication of ideas and opinions is one of the most precious of the rights of man. Every citizen may, accordingly, speak, write, and print with freedom, but shall be responsible for such abuses of this freedom as shall be defined by law.

12.  The security of the rights of man and of the citizen requires public military forces. These forces are, therefore, established for the good of all and not for the personal advantage of those to whom they shall be intrusted.

13.  A common contribution is essential for the maintenance of the public forces and for the cost of administration. This should be equitably distributed among all the citizens in proportion to their means.

14.  All the citizens have a right to decide, either personally or by their representatives, as to the necessity of the public contribution; to grant this freely; to know to what uses it is put; and to fix the proportion, the mode of assessment and of collection and the duration of the taxes.

15.  Society has the right to require of every public agent an account of his administration.

16.  A society in which the observance of the law is not assured, nor the separation of powers defined, has no constitution at all.

17.  Since property is an inviolable and sacred right, no one shall be deprived thereof except where public necessity, legally determined, shall clearly demand it, and then only on condition that the owner shall have been previously and equitably indemnified.

Washminster is back!

Finally, Washminster returns. My apologies for the delayed return. The demands on my time in June were greater than expected.

This month contains two important national days - those of France and the United States. Both celebrate a common theme - Liberty. Government's which lacked the consent of the people were ultimately removed. In both cases this involved the use of force. The Americans resisted the forces of the British Crown and eventually won the right to select their own government. In France the King resisted the will of the people - and was removed. Now both countries have systems which allow for the peaceful transfer of power. The people are regarded as sovereign.

In Britain, we have no national day - but instead enjoy the fruits of centuries of struggle for our rights. Parliament, not the Monarch is sovereign. (Recommended reading for any students of constitutional law is the book below -)



There is universal suffrage, and our liberties are now protected by the Human Rights Act 1998. Attempts by the authorities to search property or detain individuals without lawful cause were resisted by the Courts. Freedom of speech was upheld. But new challenges arise! In coming weeks this blog will consider the milestones in the histories of our shared Liberties - and the current challenges.

Welcome back!

(An English Guide) to the French Assemblee nationale

An excellent guide has been produced about the French Assemble nationale - it's buildings and its work. It is a 33 page PDF which can be downloaded from http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/english/ba.pdf

A shorter guide can be found at http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/connaissance/bienvenue/welcome.pdf

Assemblee nationale

The Assemblee nationale continues to meet (despite the distractions of the Socialiste primary and its aftermath). The business papers can be accessed Here (French). There's a very good English language site giving much background about the procedures and work of the assemblee here.

There is a "parliamentary channel" - LCP - http://www.lcp.fr/ (which is available also as an iPad App; iPhone App; and an Android App).

The next elections - once again run over two rounds - will take place on the 10th and 17th June. The country is divided into 577 districts ('circonscriptions'),

The law relating to the elections can be found in the Code electoral. The version which is due to be in force for the legislative elections in June can be accessed here.

If you are like me - obsessed by electoral statistics - then you can delight in the results of recent previous elections which can be accessed here.

The Second Round

On Sunday, the Second Round of the Primaries for a Socialist candidate in the French Presidential Elections will be held. A number of different systems for election are used in France - but the two-rounds which apply to elections for the Assemblee nationale and Presidential elections have a certain attraction.

Only the two leading candidates from the first round go forward. This has a number of advantages - the person ultimately elected has to get 50% of the votes cast (a disappearing quality for British MPs - who can be elected on a small proportion - and the more candidates who stand, the smaller the winning proportion necessary). Representation is based on which candidate can attract the widest support (Proportional Systems can hand seats to candidates who only appeal to a particular group - and can discourage reaching out beyond the particular ethnic or extremist group). It is more expensive than expressing second (or more) preferences on a single ballot sheet (as in the Alternative Vote) - but allows the voter to choose between the most popular candidates (or parties) - without promoting the "least offensive to all" candidate.

Primaries for the French Presidential Election

This summer six candidates have been campaigning to be chosen as the person to represent the Parti Socialiste/Parti Radical de Gauche ticket in next year's French presidential election. The Presidential election takes place on 22nd April (1st Round); and 6th May (2nd Round - with just the two remaining candidates).

This year the main candididate of the left will be chosen in primaries taking place nationally on 9th October (1st Round) and 16th October (2nd Round - if no candidate has won over 50% of the votes).

The candidates are

Martine Aubry - Mayor of Lille and First Secretary of the PS since 2008 (she has stood aside from this during while standing as a candidate). The daughter of former European Commission President, Jacques Delors, she has been a Minister in the governments of Cresson & Jospin. Website

Francois Hollande - currently a depute in the Assemblee nationale; and the President of the General Council (departement) of Corrèze - he preceded Aubry as Party Secretary. Website

Ségolène Royal - candidate for the PS at the last presidential election, she is President of the Poitou-Charentes Regional Council. She had some ministerial experience in 1997-2002. Website

Arnaud Montebourg - A member of the Assemblee nationale and President of the General Council of Saone-et-Loire. Website

Manuel Valls - Mayor of Evry and member of the Assemblee nationale. Website

Jean-Michel Baylet - the only one of the six candidates to come from the Parti Radical de Gauche. He is a Senateur, and President of the General Council of Tarn-et-Garonne. Previously he had served as a minister in the governments of four PS Prime Ministers. Website

Further information (in French) about the "primaires citoyennes" can be found here.

Elections in 2012

As with any year, 2012 will see a number of important elections. Washminster will be focusing on the elections due in the USA and France (and a little on the London mayoral election and the other local elections in the UK). Already these elections are regularly in the news.

The US Elections will be held on November 6th 2012. The race which will dominate international coverage will be the Presidential Election. We've seen in recent days how the competition for the Republican nomination is developing. President Obama will seek re-election, but there is some chatter about a challenge for the Democratic nomination. The possibility of a serious third party challenger has also been discussed. On the same day there will be elections for all 435 seats in the House of Representatives. One third of the Senate seats are also in play. The Americans have moved to a system where most local, state and federal elections are held on the same day in November.

In France the two main national elections are held on separate days. The Presidential Election will see its first round on April 22nd. If no candidate wins more than 50% of the votes cast, a second round will be held on May 6th, a contest that will only involve two candidates. The first round of the elections for the Assemblee nationale will take place on June 10th - with a second round one week later.

In September 2011, on Sunday 25th, elections will be held for half of the Senat seats (the upper House of the French Parlement). These are indirect elections. Further details about the electorate and the seats which are being fought, can be found here.

France and Westminster

Today is Bastille Day. It will be celebrated in the House of Lords River Restaurant with a special menu which includes French Onion Soup; Coq au Vin and there will be "French 75" cocktails at the Lords Bar.

Elsewhere in the Palace, the joint history of England and France is celebrated - with paintings of the Battles of Waterloo and Trafalgar in the Royal Gallery - and in the coats of arms of towns where the English beat the French on the staircase towards the Committee Corridor.

Le quatorze juillet

Today is Bastille Day in France. Washminster extends its greetings to all its French readers, and those who celebrate another key date in the battle for liberty. One man unites the histories of Britain, America and France - Tom Paine. In his introduction to the French edition of "The Rights of Man" Paine wrote -

"The cause of the French people is that of all Europe, or rather of the whole world; but the governments of all those countries are by no means favorable to it. It is important that we should never lose sight of this distinction. We must not confuse the peoples with their governments; especially not the English people with its government.

The government of England is no friend of the revolution of France. Of this we have sufficient proofs in the thanks given by that weak and witless person, the Elector of Hanover, sometimes called the King of England, to Mr. Burke for the insults heaped on it in his book, and in the malevolent comments of the English Minister, Pitt, in his speeches in Parliament.

In spite of the professions of sincerest friendship found in the official correspondence of the English government with that of France, its conduct gives the lie to all its declarations, and shows us clearly that it is not a court to be trusted, but an insane court, plunging in all the quarrels and intrigues of Europe, in quest of a war to satisfy its folly and countenance its extravagance.

The English nation, on the contrary, is very favorably disposed towards the French Revolution, and to the progress of liberty in the whole world; and this feeling will become more general in England as the intrigues and artifices of its government are better known, and the principles of the revolution better understood. The French should know that most English newspapers are directly in the pay of government, or, if indirectly connected with it, always under its orders; and that those papers constantly distort and attack the revolution in France in order to deceive the nation. But, as it is impossible long to prevent the prevalence of truth, the daily falsehoods of those papers no longer have the desired effect."

An untrustworthy British press - some things never change!