Via the useful website writetothem.com, I recently sent the following letter to my my MP: Mr Douglas Naysmith. For a while I have been extremely concerned about the way the British and Dutch governments have been treating Iceland. I finally decided to voice my opinion.
Dear Doug Naysmith,
I am writing to express my concern and dismay about the way the British government is treating the nation of Iceland as a result of the IceSave problems.
First of all, it seems outrageous to me that anti-terrorist legislation was ever used as a tool against the Icelandic people. Not only does this set an extremely dangerous precedent – can Mr Brown simply declare anyone a terrorist? – but it’s also a clearly inappropriate use of such laws. It may well have also accelerated the collapse of the Icelandic banks.
I am also led to believe that, before the current economic crisis and IceSave’s part in it, the British government were warned about the potential problems with a bank backed by such a small economy. Obviously, the Icelandic government and business community hold a significant responsibility themselves. However, I cannot see that this is in anyway justification for bullying them.
Despite the fact that the losses suffered were the result of the actions of a few individuals; the Icelandic government has undertaken to repay the money lost by the British and Dutch governments. They are, however, looking to add conditions that will protect them and their economy from being enslaved to a debt they can never repay. Given that the Icelandic taxpayers are undertaking a debt which is in no way their responsibility; these measures do not seem unreasonable. However the British government seems intent on continuing to bully the Icelandic nation. In some ways it seems little better than the schoolyard bully trying to steal the smaller child’s lunch money. In fact – it’s more like making sure that child is never allowed to have any lunch money again!
Naturally I am as dismayed by the stance that the Dutch government has taken, but I have no way of making my feelings known to them.
I wonder if you would undertake to ask in parliament why such a position has been taken by our government and why our Prime Minister seems so intent on bullying a small nation.
Yours sincerely,
Paul Hunnisett
I don’t have much expectation of a favourable response – but at least I wrote to my MP about something I feel strongly about!
Not just no favourable response – no response at all…
Hey there.
Unfortunatly, yes, Brown can declare anyone a terrorist, and many of the goverments are working towards a One World goverment. It’s a worldwide problem stemming from darker roots. http://www.infowars.com is a US site; but a lot of what they talk about is the powers the terrorist laws and such give goverment. If you want to take a look I can lend you my account to their media site which has a few videos on these things. I can share the account with 6 people apparantly^^.
On an unrelated note to you post… I found this blog by searching for Christian oppertunities to move to Iceland. Their refusal to play ball with the banks, the general beauty of the place, and the fact that it’s mostly a Christian country has captured my interest. As it i’m a disabled young man; so i’d be unlikely to even get a work permit, let alone be able to work there to earn citizenship.
I was just wondering if on your trips you had learnt if it was possible to live in Iceland and work with the churches? Do you know if anythign like that exists? Where my health stops me from doing conventional jobs; I love God with all my heart and if it involves worship i’m sure he’d give me strength.
I feel an odd pull that way. I have no current plans to try to move from Britain (my whole family is here and benefits are the only reason i have a roof over my head); but you never know what the Lord intends for the future. Iceland does certainly seem to be one of the few places in the world that still has some credibility to it’s ‘Christian country’ claim (despite pagan elements) and also seems to be fighting for their indivuality.
Anyhow i’ve rambled long enough. Glad I found you blog, it was an interesting read.
God bless.
Alex
Hi Alex,
Iceland is currently a member of the EEA which means that, if you were able to get a job there then you could live there. As a British person, you would have up to 6 months to find a job before you needed to leave the country. Unfortunately your disability would probably be factor there. They have applied to join the EU, which may change things – I’m not sure.
I must admit that I’m also not sure that Iceland is as Christian a country as it appears. something like 94% are registered to the Lutheran Church but only about 2-3% of people in urban areas attend church. I think that Christianity has less influence than it might appear to have.
Still – that just strikes me as a good reason to plant a church there
Perhaps one day…