Spreading Democracy?

I'd like to present some facts behind two salient elections in 2005. The UK had a general election and Iraq had its first democratic elections post-Saddam.

UK electorate - C 45 million
Iraqi electorate - C 15 million

UK turnout - C 60%
Iraqi turnout - C 70%

UK Est'd overseas voters - 3 to 4 million
Iraqi Est'd overseas voters - C 2 million

UK overseas votes - unknown - max 17,500
Iraqi overseas votes - 320,000

Us Brits really take democracy for granted, don't we? When we talk about spreading democracy, we should remember that we've also got a lot of homework to do.

Ugandan Relations - Part 1

Full day's campaigning today assisted by a team of three international observers from Uganda. They are all members of the democratic opposition party and likened their situation to the MDC in Zimbabwe. Their President is also long-serving and has altered the constitution so that there is no limit to his term of office. He is openly corrupt. They are sick of the despot, but they risk imprisonment and worse in their fight for democracy.

As it's their first time outside Africa it's also interesting to get their initial thoughts on England. The mother of five said that she had seen white people before, but never so many at the same time. The "Chairman" opined that Birmingham, Heathrow and London look much the same as each other to him and reckoned he'd spotted some 150 year olds (the life expectancy in Uganda is 47). The "Speaker" is a great guy and is rightly upset that the Queen will be visiting Uganda in November and giving the sitting president a propaganda coup. I hope to do more detailed interviews with my assistants later in the week and maybe show them some sights away from the suburban terrain that we are covering as part of the campaign.

Blog Round Up

All's back to normal. Blogging in the style of another blogger is fun for a day, but do it for an extended period could drive you nuts. I think I managed to synchronise with the target quite well. If readers found this fun (and readers were unanimous when I asked them whether I asked whether I should continue with my Tom Watson posts - I was the only one who voted against!), I might be persuaded to do it again at some point in the distant future.

Dizzy Thinks Then Posts

Dizzy has hit on a rich vein of form of late. I recommend all his recent posts, but especially his most recent on the Falklands War where the comment thread shows why the Left are unfit to run the country. They are? Damn.

Crime Statistics Scandal

Just as seriously, Tony Sharp has uncovered a crime statistics scandal. Not only have recorded detections been manipulated, but a great deal of scarce police resource has been misplaced in the process. Can't wait until the police bloggers get hold of that story - they'll be all over it like a rash. In my judgment there's a big chance that this one will hit the mainstream. And whilst we are on the theme of policing, the Tories are unveiling some excellent proposals.


Unsolved Riddle

Still nobody has succeeded in my guess the politician's quote puzzler which was set a few days ago. Who said this.

"I do think certain individuals are disposed to crime because of their genetic inheritance"

There are some clues on the other thread. As an additional clue, I will add that the politician wrote the text in his autobiography. Like my imaginary friend Hamer Shawcross I'm taking an Easter break. I'll be away from Thursday so I am looking for guest posters. I have a few lined up, but if you're interested, just let me know.

Tony Sharp

One of my favourite bloggers is Tony Sharp who writes the Waendal Journal. His blogging personality reveals a man of principle and his arguments are brilliantly informed and crystal clear. He blogs about what he cares about and right now he feels passionately about the injustices being perpetrated in Zimbabwe under Mugabe. Like him, I urge you to watch this film and admire the courage of those prepared to sacrifice their lives for freedom.



It was a pleasure to discover that Tony is running for council in the Brickhill Ward of Wellingborough this May. I don't know what his ambitions are, but I'd love to see him in Parliament. He's the kind of straight talking/street fighting Conservative that the general public would relate to.

The View From Abroad

Conservatives Abroad are developing a series called the view from... The latest are from expats in Spain and Russia. Check them out here. Also, if you're interested Conservatives Abroad are asking people what to campaign on. I'm hosting a friend's stag do this weekend, so if anyone wants to do a few guest blog posts this weekend, I would be delighted. Also, my blog is now worth about £40,000, but I would be willing to listen to lower offers. Mail me at praguetory@googlemail.com.

I'm Pro-American

As I manage to put more and more distance between myself and the BBC, I feel like I am becoming more objective about the US. Well done to 18 Doughty Street for this pro-American video. In particular, I'd like to take up the theme of security. Not only is the amount spent on defence throughout the EU behind the Americans, but the efficiency of the spending (measured by military capability) is also derisory by comparison. It is the American security blanket that has meant that Europe has been able to enjoy the luxury of being so militarily lax. Without the US, Eastern Europe wouldn't have achieved or maintained freedom from Russia. Discuss.