As the US Presidential election gets into full swing culminating in the election in November and a new President being sworn in, in January, I thought it might be useful to examine events in the USA and the consequences for us over here. Firstly, let me say I want a Democratic victory; but there are certain aspects in regard to the trade policy of the Democratic Party that cause me some concerns. They are very "fortress America", insular and protectionist on the one hand, whilst demanding open trade for their goods on the other. But when you look at other trade areas like foreign policy, social welfare, climate change and environmental policy, then a Democratic victory is essential if we are to make any progress on these issues. Under George Bush, the world has become more unsafe, the US entered a recession and caused economic chaos throughout the world and the American people, particularly at the lower income end, are amongst the poorest people in the Western world, both in monetary and opportunity terms. So, for me, it has to be Barack Obama for president, so that the elitist American political hierarchy can be changed. I would have l backed Hilary Clinton too against the Republicans, but Obama offers the American people a real opportunity to change. Whether the American people are prepared to make that change, time will tell, but do not underestimate the power of the conservative right or the covert racism that still exists in some States that will be brought to bear against Barak in the next four months or so. British politics is dirty, but pales into insignificance when compared to the USA. America needs a new vision and I believe Barack Obama can deliver that. I think the Presidential campaign is fascinating in the extreme and its result, like it or not will affect us all, even here in West Cumbria

An interesting development has taken place in France recently which could have implications for on-line shoppers in the United Kingdom. At the end of June, Moet Lavis Vuitton won £31 Million in a case against e-Bay. The French Court decided that e-Bay had sold counterfeit goods and also banned e-Bay from selling four Vuitton perfumes (genuine ones) because this breaches Vuitton rights for exclusive distribution. Now I am not a lawyer, but this does appear to me to be somewhat of a problem for e-Bay and its users. I am sure e-Bay will appeal, but if they fail in that appeal then I am sure many other companies will attempt to stop goods, counterfeit or genuine, being sold via the e-Bay website. I am told e-Bay have avoided prosecution in Britain because they are not considered an auction. The implications of this case are huge and our own Office of Fair Trading are now following the case very closely. Two of Britain’s baby buggy brands would appear to have joined the fray also. McLaren and Bugaboo are trying to stop the sale of their baby buggies via e-Bay. This war is hotting up and becoming increasingly nasty, and how it will end is still not clear. My concern is that whilst it is right that manufacturers and their products should have some protections, I fear that their case against e-Bay is about keeping prices high at the expense of the consumer. So the question has to be put, how does this fit in with European competition law and the principle of a free market?

You know Gordon Brown is right; we throw away an appalling amount of food in Britain each year, costing us all a fortune. Once issue for me is the fact that everybody sees sell by and use by dates, as set as tablets of stone, not to be messed with, totally inflexible. I have to say, I was a bit like that until my youngest daughter Bethan (sports fanatic, fit, etc etc) gave me an obvious alternative. She called it "smell by date"! Who sets these dates anyway? And why do people insist on abiding by these dates for no earthly reason. Personally I think it is one massive con, perpetrated by supermarkets. They prey not only on our fear factor, a fear which says if I eat a product one day over its use by date, I will become terminally ill, poisoned or even worse and frankly we are all gullible on this. No, I’m a changed man and my daughter Bethan is right. It’s the smell by date that is the important one!

It would seem my article a few months ago upset the English National Party, who fired off a letter to the local paper. Surprising really when I would have thought Egremont Today was more appropriate. So, what is it I did that rocked the nationalist boat? I merely stated that I feel more British than English and suggested that Battle of Britain Day would be more appropriate for a UK Bank Holiday than St George’s Day. Apparently that’s too radical for the English Nationalist in St Bees.

Well done everyone involved in climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell and Snowdon in memory of Ian McDonald, in aid of the British Heart Foundation. That’s a great effort and I hope people will donate via justgiving.com/maccascragrats to add more money to the amount already raised for this great cause, in memory of a local legend.