Moon of Liberty Newsround

Moon Of Liberty Newsround – on 07th August at 11.05 pm

The Times – Momentum activists take over Chris Leslie’s constituency of Nottingham East

CBS News – Trump defends national security adviser McMaster after calls for his sacking

NBC News – Piano that survived the Holocaust to be an exhibit in Israel museum

Moon of Liberty Opinion/Editorial – Energy markets and the Trump Administration – Kevin Alcock

NBC News – Vladimir Putin poses for the cameras while fishing on vacation

Spectator Opinion – Why Amber Rudd will likely get Ruth Davidson’s endorsement for any future Tory leadership contest – James Forsyth

Daily Telegraph – Kenya fears return to bloodshed with upcoming election

Sky News – Biggest earthquake in 30 years hits the Scottish Highlands

BBC News – Irish PM wants no barriers to free trade post Brexit

BBC News – North and South Korea to open talks

BBC News – National Trust U-Turn over LBGT badges

Moon Of Liberty/Winning at Politics – Local by elections round-up on a good night for Labour at UKIP’s expense

The Hill – FBI monitored social media on election day for fake news from Russia

Daily Mirror – Labour MP Chris Williamson rejects case to sanction Venezuela and attacks the US ‘shady record

Antisemitism UK – Labour selects by election candidate who has tweeted antismetic content

Conservative Home opinion – Being the workers party means being the party of low taxes – Rob Halfon MP

ABC News – John McCain says he believes he will be ready to go back to work in September

The Independent – Grand Jury set up to investigate president Trump’s links to Russia

Irish Times – Lobbyist says Republicans and Democrats need to work together if they want US immigration reform

The Australian – Australian Senator Hatch vows to block any same sex marriage referendum attempt

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Moon of Liberty Editorial – The UK Energy Market & Trump needs to get back to policy

Moon of Liberty Editorial

Reflections of the Moon

It’s up to customers to create the market

This week British Gas announced a 12.5% electricity price rise despite low wholesale costs. The excuse was the same as always, they but in bulk, plus they argue they held off previous price rises unlike other companies. It’s funny of course how we never get price reductions because traders who buy in bulk bought too low in advance. The left, and increasingly many in the Tory party, seem to think intervention is the answer, there is no market they argue. Theresa May has even launched an investigation this week.

Well actually, there is as anyone who has listened to the excellent Martin Lewis and frankly any other expert on it who is willing to help the consumer will explain, there are plenty of options out there, mainly relating to switching and often to smaller suppliers. The ‘Big 6’ as they are known ultimate rely on loyalty and the fact consumer cannot be bothered to switch.

It’s understandable, many people do not know how easy it actually is to do so. If millions switched to smaller companies tomorrow, the Big 6 would have to act. We saw an example of this and how it can work a few years ago when Opus Energy reduced their prices and took some market share with it. It panicked the Big 6 into rare price reduction they had no intention of making.

In the end however it is for consumers to create the market. Too many remain loyal when they have no reason to. State intervention is not the answer, the much maligned, wrongly in my opinion, free market is the answer. The public are the ones who can take advantage of it, if they don’t, don’t expect state intervention to be of any use, in the end, it won’t.

The Trump administration needs to focus on policy

The US congress has gone into recess with Shaun Spicer, Reince Preibus and Anthony Scaramucci all gone from the Trump administration. The administration is in danger of becoming, it it has not already, all about personalities and not about policy, which in reality is where it is strongest.

Whether it be decisive steps against the horror going on in Venezuela, a regime scarily, Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn here in the UK seems to continue to back. Or it be getting unanimous agreement in the UN for sanctions on North Korea, or it’s agreement with a Japanese firm to create a large factory and thousands of jobs in Wisconsin, a key state Trump would need to hold if he stands again in 2020, there are areas where this administration actually has a better story to tell than many may think.

Can anyone get a grip on this crazy administration before it spirals out of control and get the President back on the front foot? It appears now to be in John Kelly’s hands as the new chief of staff. For the administration to succeed he needs to be a success and there a while, not another notch on the ‘you’re fired’ list.

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Moon of Liberty Editorial – Brexit & The Trump Wing

Editorial – Reflections of the Moon

Brexit – It’s the outcome that matters

The process of the UK leaving the EU is in a precarious position. Despite their being in my view not a shred of evidence the decision to leave the EU being a mistake, for some reason those who want to block the process from happening are appearing more confident. Much of this is to do with splits in the cabinet, with Chancellor Phillip Hammond calling for a 3 year transition period and Trade secretary Liam Fox declaring free movement of people, which would be part of any such arrangement, must end in 2019.

Meanwhile post the failure of Prime Minister Theresa May to win a majority, she looks powerless to stop the cabinet battles, which are a proxy for what they see as the inevitable leadership contest to come, from going on around her. Ultimately while these day to day machinations will fascinate the press, what actually matter is the final outcome. Expect the process to continue slowly until the final moment when, as is the EU way, the path to a deal will suddenly speed up.

Whatever happens in the deal, or whether there is no deal, no option is in my view worse than remaining in the EU, the consequences will be in effect accepting the Superstate the EU wants to move to and the end of a Free Britain. This is far more important than the wranglings in the run up, the final outcome is what matters and the defeat of those wanting to stop the process is essential to ensure we remain in a free country in whatever form it ends up.

The Trump Wing

Fans of the Drama series ‘The West wing’ could be forgiven for thinking the current US administration is another series of their favourite entertainment show. The President’s health care plan is voted down by a member of his own party after being diagnosed with brain cancer. Two members of the administration leave within days. Never ending controversy via the President’s twitter feed. It is a script any top drama script writer would have issues making up. 

The only thing President Trump has in his favour is that it is debatable if there is anyone in the Democrat Party who can seriously take in on and he continues to have an army of support who will dismiss any bad news as fake new or mad up by the media. As bizarre as this White House looks, can a second trump victory in 2020 be ruled out? No it can’t. Talk of him being impeached over something like the Russian issue is likely overblown, the Democrats must think hard if they are to come up with a way to oust him, it will be more difficult than many believe.

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Moon Of Liberty Newsround – 24th Jan 2017

News Digest – 24th January 2017 @ 4.15 pm

CNN – Senator’s John McCain and Lindsay Graham will vote for Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson

Voice of Europe – Campaign to stop operations of George Soros hot up in Macedonia

Comment – Why Labour should hold Copeland & Stoke Central – Glen O’Hara

The Wrap – Chelsea Clinton defends Trump’s youngest child Barron

Foreign Policy – Russia and Syria sign deal giving Russian ships and aircraft access to the middle east

CNN – President Trump signs order banning NGO’s offering abortion services from getting US federal funds

BBC News – Trump signs order to withdraw from TPP trade negotiations

Heat Street – US Feminists outraged at Taylor Swift not attending the ‘Women’s March’

Keoland News – Former New Mexico Congresswoman Heather Wilson to be head of the US Air Force

BBC News – UK Supreme Court rules Parliament must decide Article 50 timing

Daily Telegraph – Poll finds majority of Brits disagree with Supreme Court decision on Article 50

NBC News – Complete list of OSCAR Nominations, La La Land leads the way with 14

Independent – British Startup is using artificial intelligence to compose music

CNN – Paul Ryan invites Donald Trump to address joint session of Congress

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Moon Of Liberty Newsround – 15th January 2017

News Digest – 15th January 2017 @ 10.25 pm

The Guardian – UK Chancellor Phillip Hammond suggests UK could become a low tax haven if there is no single market access

Fox News – Nigel Farage on why Brexit and Donald Trump are winning

The Moon Of Liberty/Winning At Politics – Polling update from Survation & Opinium

Irish Times – Donald Trump may invite talk show hosts and bloggers to press conferences

Sky News – Education company co founded by Jeremy Hunt for sale for £35 million

Independent – Theresa May to say she is willing to leave the Single Market in upcoming Brexit speech

ABC News – 19 Democrat congressman to boycott Trump inauguration 

ABC News – Reince Priebus says it remains to be seen if Iran nuclear deal will hold

NBC News – US Supreme Court to take case that could affect the Washington Redskins name

Facebook Comment – Despite ‘humanitaria crisis’ people say the health service is improving – John Rentoul

Manchester Evening News – Son of late magician Paul Daniels arrested over cannabis factory

Telegraph – Inside newly liberated Mosul university, Islamic State still exist

Daily Express – Trump set for tense clash with Jean Claude Juncker over EU Army

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Moon Of Liberty Newsround – 13th Jan 2017

News Digest 13th Jan 2017 @ 9.30 pm

Institute of Economic Affairs video – Jeremy Corbyn’s maximum wage ‘an absolutely terrible idea’

The Moon Of Liberty/Winning At Politics – Thursday’s local by election round up

Fox News – Rosie O’Donnell calls for martial law to stop Donald Trump’s inauguration

Bloomberg – Deutsche Bank says Brexit is driving up Berlin house prices

Sky News – Nationwide eyes £2.7bn sale of property arm assets

BBC News – Exorcist writer William Peter Blatty dies aged 89

Independent – Tristram Hunt is named new V&A director amid concerns they will start charging

NBC News – US Congress moves a step closer to repealing Obamacare

Irish Times – CIA prepares for unprecedented challenges that a Donald Trump Presidency could bring

London Evening Standard – Top public schools team up with Tottenham Hotspur FC to create a new sixth form

Order Order – The Daily Politics guide to Brexit

Independent – McDonalds to hand out thousands of free meals to the homeless

BBC News – MP Tristram Hunt resigns to become V&A museum director, forcing a by election in Stoke On Trent

Daily Express – Donald Trump predicts the end of the EU as aides ask which nations will be next to leave

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Moon Of Liberty Newsround – News Digest

News Digest – 12th January 2017 @ 10.40 pm

New Statesman Comment – Jeremy Corbyn’s internal critics have a perfect diagnosis, but no cure – Stephen Bush

Telegraph – George Soros loses £1 billion betting against Trump

Daily Express – ISIS warlord confirmed dead in President Obama’s final kill

Telegraph – Professor Silver who made complaint against Amber Rudd’s conference speech, admits he has not even heard it

Reuters – Marine Le Pen seen at Trump Towers

BBC News – Visa free residency for Cubans in the US to end

Fox News – Amazons sees rapid growth, plans 100,000 new US jobs

RTE News – President Obama awards Vice-President Joe Biden the US Medal Of Freedom in surprise ceromony

Bloomberg – Donald Trump hires another executive from Goldman Sachs

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Moon Of Liberty News & Politics – News Digest

News Digest – 12th Jan 2017 @ 4.10 pm

New Statesman comment – Green Party Co-Leader Caroline Lucas on why Jeremy Corbyn should make the case for Freedom of Movement

Reuters – Oil price rises as Saudi’s tell Asian customers of output cuts

CNN – Confirmation hearing for Donald Trump’s Secretary of State pick Rex Tillerson begins

Independent – Theresa May says Norther Ireland devolution collapse will not delay invoking Article 50

CNN – Allies of Paul Ryan are spending $1bn to pitch replacement for Obamacare

Spectator Comment – Obama fell on his own myth – Daniel McCarthy

NBC News – Kellyanne Conway defends Donald Trump’s use of Twitter in appearence on the Seth Myers show

The Moon Of Liberty – Yesterday’s PMQ’s verdict – Kevin Alcock

LBC – Donald Trump accuses intelligence claims about him to be all fake news

Daily Mail – Donald Trump calls intelligence dossier against him a ‘disgrace’

Sky News – Donald Trump vows to be the greatest job creator

The London Economic – Study finds Trump and Farage are more trusted as they don’t speak like normal politicians

BBC News – Bank Of England Governor Mark Carney says Brexit risks to the UK now much lower

Trading Buddy.com – FTSE on course for new record highs.

Haaretz – Top Israeli diplomat to visit Turkey in symbol of thawing relations

CNN – Donald Trump says he was offered $2bn of business in Dubai over the weekend, he turned it down.

Reuters – China aircraft carrier sails through Taiwan Straight in symbolic show of aggression

Dayton (Ohio) News – Publication asks what was President Obama’s biggest achievement?

Daily Mail & The Sun – Heartless teachers at Broad Oak Community School in ST Helens tell five year old alopcia sufferer to take off her wig, ST Helens Council hide behind ‘Health and Safety’ to justify it

Wall Street Journal – Ex British intelligence office Christopher Steele named as the man behind the Donald Trump dossier

Fox News – James Mattis says he will bolster the US military if confirmed as new US Defence Secretary

London Evening Standard – US ethics committee not impressed by Donald Trump’s plans for his businesses while President

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Moon Of Liberty News & Politics – News Digest

News Digest – 11th Jan 2017 @ 2.00 pm

BBC Sport – Historic Kempton Park racecourse could be closed for new housing

Spectator Comment – A maximum wage is Corbyn’s most stupid idea yet – Brendan O’Neill

CNN – Confirmation hearing for Attourney general nominee Jeff Sessions begins

BBC – Look at inequality in the UK shows it has not got wider in the last decade

The Moon Of Liberty Editorial – The Moon editor Kevin Alcock on May, Corbyn and Trump v Hollywood

Reuters – Mexican Foreign Minister says there is now way Mexico will pay for Donald Trump’s wall

Telegraph Comment– Punishing Britain over Brexit could hasten the EU’s own end – Peter Foster

London Evening Standard – Switzerland wins key ECHR ruling on Muslim girls and mixed swimming lessons

The Guardian – Meryl Streep took aim at MMA as well as Trump, UFC Owner Dana White responds

The Guardian – Boris Johnson says Moscow is up to all kinds of dirty tricks

New Statesman – Guy Verhofstadt’s attempt to form alliance between Liberals and Italy’s 5 Star movement fails, much to UKIP’s delight

Moon Of Liberty Polling – Breakdown of ICM Poll & Cardiff University Welsh poll

Breibart London – Senior US Republican Bob Corker says Britain is in the front seat for a US trade deal

Independent Comment – Labour’s rotten day – Tom Peck

BBC News – Snapchat sets up International office in London

Daily Express – Ex Australian PM Tony Abbott backs Britain over Brexit

Order Order – UK Industrial production surges

The Sun Comment – Suing Newspapers for telling the truth? no thank you – Rod Little

Political Betting Comment – On the Northern Ireland situation – Lucian Fletcher

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Moon Of Liberty Editorial – 10th Jan 2017

Reflection Of The Moon

Welcome focus on mental health

Theresa May has used New Year media appearances to focus on mental Health and her new vision of the ‘shared society’ She also faced questions on Brexit in her interview on Sky News with Sophy Ridge. I welcome the focus on mental health which is overdue and a credit to a range of campaigners including Lib Dem MP Norman Lamb and Spectator’s Isabel Hardman who has written a powerful piece about her own experiences. Time will tell what is delivered but the focus is welcome.

Less welcome is the waffle around her ‘shared society’ vision which appears to be making the case for Government intervention without currently anything concrete in terms of policy. May has an authoritarian record at the Home Office and this is a hint she wants domestic policy to proceed in the same way. I will be opposed to any such approach which sounds very much like the Ghost of Ed Miliband, someone whom we thought we had rejected in May 2015.

As for Brexit May hints that free movement is more important than the single market, but, probably because the cabinet are not agreed, she refuses to confirm it in as many words. I believes there is nothing to fear from a short term WTO option and the best deal will be negotiated from that state, rather than from the inside, if it is the case that Britain is willing to leave membership of the Single Market. At some point a decision will need to be made and if May is still serious about invoking article 50 by the end of March, she does not have long.

Corbyn’s path to total irrelevance continues

Whatever criticisms of the Theresa May there are, one group who are not benefiting are the Labour Party. Today we have seen two doses of Jeremy Corbyn, in the first he calls for a maximum wage even one of his former economic advisers have called ‘idiotic.’ He also defied his own team who had been spinning he was to take a tougher line on immigration in failing to do so to the bewilderment of many of his closest allies. He then made a speech on Brexit earlier in which he gave no clue as to his policy on that, but said he would spend EU contribution on the NHS, as he falsely claimed the Leave campaign they had promised. The irony is what they actually said was Britain would have those choices, Corbyn s now offering that and has delivered the pledge on the bus Boris Johnson and Michael Gove traveled around in by giving Brits the chance to accept or reject that at the ballot box. It will likely be overwhelmingly rejected, although this particular policy will be low on the lists of reasons why. Corbyn has not been in the news much as of late, today’s shambolic showing tells us all why.

Hollywood v Trump – only one winner

All reports say there was a downer on the Golden Globes, namely Donald Trump’s win. Somehow, somewhere groups created due to a talent for acting on TV has become a club for left-wing views and has become one of the ultimate symbols of the ‘Liberal Elite.’ Meryl Streep was the face of it this year and Trump responded on Twitter calling her ‘over rated’ As an actress she is not of course but that does not matter. If you want to present yourself as fighting the ‘Liberal Elite’ attacking an actress who used her platform to pontificate is about as symbolic as you can get. His voters will love it and spats like it will increase his chances of re-election in 2020. There is only one winner, and it will not be Meryl Streep and her friends in Hollywood.

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