I can't pretend that I feel any particular regret over the death of a man with such odious political and racial views.

 

However, Terreblanche's murder is a worrying symptom of South Africa's gradual descent into lawlessness.

 

I hope that I am wrong, but I genuinely worry that South Africa may end up in a similar state to Zimbabwe.

 

Divisions along racial and tribal fault lines seem to be opening in South Africa.

 

The failure of the ANC led government to address these and the deepening economic problems in South Africa could see civil unrest on a frightening scale in the not too distant future.

 

Against many expectations South Africa didn't disintegrate at the end of the Apartheid period.

 

It would be a tragedy if, like ZANU PF in Zimbabwe, the ANC ruined what should be one of Africa's great countries.

One of the better contributions to April Fools Day 2010.

 

 

The DOGW also has it's own website. I especially like the Mission Statement:

 

“At the Department of Government Waste, spending your money is not just a privilege; it’s a duty. Our track record over the last 13 years is one of goal-realisation, spending-prioritisation, and waste-maximisation. And we will go on developing further waste streams if Labour win the next election. So if you want 5 more years of government waste, make sure you vote Labour on Polling Day.”

 

Good on him - the more scrutiny Dr Cable is exposed to, the sooner the collective penny will drop that he isn't the all seeing economics guru that the media claim him to be.

 

Cable seems well off script on the Liberal Demoprats policy on child benefit - I wonder what else he is getting wrong?

Yesterday's Tory announcement on blocking some of the planned increases in National Insurance scheduled for April 2011 is interesting.

 

Although I welcome the announcement as being in line with my core Tory beliefs it does have the look of being a popularist, headline grabbing, (dare I say electioneering) policy.

 

We have already seen the usual suspects attacking the policy - Vince Cable has already called it "schoolboy economics".

 

As an aside, am I the only person who is baffled at Dr Cable's apparent popularity?

 

As far as I can see, his reputation is based on an especially good put down of Gordon Brown a few months ago (The Stalin to Mr Bean line) and his supposed gravitas on matters economic.

 

Iain Dale had a pop at Dr Cable yesterday which is worth looking at.

 

Anyway back to the point - I think what convinces me of the merit in the Tory National Insurance policy is that former government advisors Dr Martin Read and Sir Peter Gershon have endorsed it.

 

These gentlemen aren't government advisors from years ago - they were actively involved in the review of government procurement and efficiency in 2009.

 

Dr Read led the Treasury's Operational Efficiency review last year.

 

These gentlemen are very well placed to understand the potential for efficiencies in government and the timescales that they can be delivered to.

 

Isn't it typical that New Labour would rather impose a tax rise on us, which will damage economic recovery and hinder business, rather than seek to make efficiencies ASAP in the bloated state bureaucracy?

UNITE has received some high profile media coverage today with its pledge to raise £700,000 from its members to support striking BA staff.

 

Sounds impressive until you do the maths and realise it works out at about £60 for each person on strike.

 

In microcosm this shows how important it is to manipulate the headlines for your political advantage.

 

UNITE to raise £700 k looks good - UNITE to give strikers £60 handout less so....................