Osborne, Nighy, Regrave, Grant and Merkel

I remember going to a CPS talk given by George Osborne within a month or so of him being appointed Shadow Chancellor and being rather impressed by his obvious grasp of his brief, his delivery and the manner in which he dealt with a considerable number of questions, most of which were searching. For a 33 year old as he was then he demonstrated a remarkably cool head. I was impressed again today when I saw the video of his performance at the meeting of EU finance ministers yesterday and which you can see here. He was not only polite, respectful and explained his point well he none the less made it apparent that this country does not support the financial transaction tax so beloved of Bill Nighy. Why is it actors think their views are of the slightest interest to the rest of us. By involving themselves in politics on the fringe I think they do themselves a disservice as to me they break the spell around their future performances as it becomes difficult not to think of their political statements when one next sees them perform. I fail to see only the character they are portraying. Watching Corin Redgrave was always particularly off putting knowing his somewhat extreme politics. Indeed watching Hugh Grant's antics gives me a similar problem. Going back to Osborne it was a pleasure for once to see one of our ministers battling well for Britain. He has restored some of the trust that had been lost by the way the government mishandled the referendum vote in Parliament. We just have to hope they will battle equally as well for us when it comes to negotiating our relationship with the EU which I suspect will come sooner rather than later as a result of Merkel's comments about the EU treaty needing some adjustments to ensure ever closer union. I imagine she was talking more of the euro than the EU. As to the euro everyone seems to agree that it was badly put together and yet it is incomprehensible that many want it to survive in one form or another when it is self evident that the best course would be for it to be abandoned in an orderly fashion and recast in a way that makes sense - for those that want to join it. But no we are told that would be too dangerous and more costly. I do not agree since the austerity programme being imposed on the PIIGS will lead to civil unrest. We all know the dangers of civil unrest and the opportunities that gives to extremists.