Is the Union of Europe worth all the hassle?Party Political Interview By Katrina Lucas, Head of Public Affairs, NEWPLC, 18/02/2009
In just 3 months from now, the British at home and British abroad would go to the polls to cast their votes for men and women who would represent the country in the European Parliament. Last week I went to Harrogate, to meet a mom, who was interviewed previously by my colleague, Helena. I began by presenting a small gift from Helena and the PLC Party
KL: Greetings from my colleague. Helena
Mom: How's she?
KL: She's great, she's doing fine. This is for you, from Helena. (I gave mom a small packet)
KL: Mom, the people of the United Kingdom would go to the polling stations on June 4.
From your experience, mom, do people in this country vote for a party or do they vote for individual politicians?
Mom: People vote for both. The older the party, the better for the politician, of course. The trouble is, they make promises which they know to be empty. They tell you things, to make you vote for them and when they get in, they talk and talk, for nothing
KL: What do you think we should do? My boss has registered a political party, as you know.
Mom: Ah, yes. (She reached for her bureau - I saw one of them when I was a toddler - my mom had one of them) Helena gave me this card when she came to see me. She wrote the name of your boss. I'm sorry I can't pronounce the last bit. She smiled. I smiled.
KL: Let me teach you how to pronounce it: SA_LA_KOV
Mom: Curiosity alone would make people vote for him.
KL: I don't know if he is going to stand. He has told us that he is too old for politics.
Mom: So, what's he doing it for?
KL: He is more interested in introducing the party to the people of this country. He wants to make it the party of the people.
I don't think that he is all that interested in politics, my boss. He is also tired of people writing rubbishy stuffs about him
Mom: Who is writing rubbishy stuffs about him?
KL: All sorts of nasty people in the newspaper business in this country and elsewhere.
Mom: The Southern Irish are the worst for that. Bad people. They caused us harm in this country. Do you know they don't swear allegiance to the Monarchy?
KL: The ones who refuse to do that, are the IRA politicians.
Mom: Whatever. They are all the same. Tell your boss for me, tell him for me, to ignore them. Those who live by the sword dies by it.
KL: My boss always says that, too.
Mom: I don't understand why he is not interested in politics. It must cost him money to employ people, to organise things. And he is not interested? I don't understand.
KL: He is a man of idea. He believes that the party would be accepted nationwide sooner than later.
Mom: Well, if he wants to stand or if any of you wants to stand for the Council or for Parliament, count on our votes.
KL: So, now mom, with the European Parliamentary election round the corner, do you still hold the same view as last time?
Mom: Of course. What do they do those who sit in Brussels, what do they do? You tell me. I am angry with that lot. I have no idea what they do. We have the oldest court in the world. So, why is it that our judges in this country send cases to France? What is the name of the town in France, do you know it?
KL: Yes, I know it. Strasbourg.
Mom: Whatever it is called. So, why is it that our own judges have to send cases to that France?"
KL: It is to do with Human Rights, mom.
Mom: Does it mean that our judges don't know how to handle Human Rights in this country. We are a great country. Why do we have to ask French judges to judge us in this country? Whose idea is it anyway to take cases to that France court? Is it Anthony Blair or his friend, what's his name?
KL: Gordon Brown
Mom: Him. I don't like him.
KL: He's ok as it goes.
Mom: He's not ok as it goes. I don't like him at all. Look at the mess he and Blair put this country. The earlier he goes back to Scotland, the better for this country. As for your European Union election and things, it is too much hassle, if you ask me. I mean, what do they do? They get everything cheap. Free accommodation. Free this, free that. And they are just full of themselves. I told Helena about my granddaughter. They wanted her to work for nothing. What's the world coming to? We need ROBIN HOODS in this country
KL: My boss was called a ROBIN HOOD, once. And guess who called him a ROBIN HOOD: One of Her Majesty's Judges. (Mom laughed so much, she started coughing. I was scared. I rushed to her kitchen and got a glass of water).
Mom: We are living in a world in which people are just interested in Number One. If your boss really means business and wants to do something for this country, tell him to come and see me. I am old enough to be his mom.
KL: You are, actually
Mom: Tell him to come and see me, before I leave this world. I'll pray for him. I'll pray for your party. And I'll pray for all of you working for your party
Part two of Party Political Interview
Katrina Lucas, 18/02/09 Email
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