Brian Monteith: in his own words
Monday, December 28, 2009 
Following the publication of The Bully State: The End of Tolerance by Brian Monteith in October, The Free Society has now published a collection of Brian's articles from the Edinburgh Evening News, The Scotsman, Times Educational Supplement Scotland and websites such as ThinkScotland.org and Conservative Home.
The Full Monty 2009 reflects what Brian calls an "impatient year". In his introduction he explains that:
Many of us are impatient for the coming general election that will finally give us the chance to show Gordon Brown what we think of his management of the country's affairs ...
It was an impatient year waiting to see if the Conservatives might have a strategy to deal with the recession ...
It was an impatient year waiting and hoping that Ireland would not vote for the Lisbon Treaty or that we in Britain would get our own chance to show what we think of it ...
Needless to say Brian reserves his own impatience for those who support the smoking ban and are impatient to ban smoking in our homes and other private spaces. "They can wait a lot longer as far as I am concerned."
He also expresses impatience with the Tory party (on both sides of the border):
I'm naturally a Conservative at heart, but I cannot drum up a great deal of enthusiasm for the current mob and could still be tempted by another party once I know exactly what they stand for. I suppose I'm impatient for a party to actually represent my views - and I suspect the views of many others.
In the words of John McLellan, editor-in-chief of The Scotsman Publications, who has written the foreword: "The best way to enjoy Brian's writing is with a fine malt and a Partagas 'P Series' Number 2 ..."
You read it here first.
Note: The Full Monty 2009 is available from Amazon HERE.
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Reader Comments (6)
"I'm naturally a Conservative at heart, but I cannot drum up a great deal of enthusiasm for the current mob and could still be tempted by another party once I know exactly what they stand for. I suppose I'm impatient for a party to actually represent my views - and I suspect the views of many others."
I couldn't have put it any better myself. I, however, have already gone one step further and refuse to wait any longer for the tories to change sides and return to conservatism.
Why on earth should I vote for a party that doesn't represent my views and the policies of conservatism (even if they used to). We're not living in the past, we're living in the present.
At present the tories state loudly that they will not re-visit the ban. They therefore ignore all modern technology and science and prefer seeing millions of their citizens unable to socialise in comfort. They agree to seeing the sick and terminally ill thrust into the freezing weather, when everyone knows that they need to be subjected to warmth. They therefore agree that it is OK for businesses (not only pubs, but high-street shops, taxis, suppliers, accountants and solicitors are also affected) to be adversly affected.
They're no better than NuLab - happy to take the surplus billions that smokers provide our economy, happy to continue with the policies that produce a greater smoking prevalence, happy to ignore the sensible suggestions to cater for everyone, and happy to continue with the onslaught against legal, highly-taxed citizens of their own country.
They're not really a party that I could consider voting for anymore.
"At present the Tories state loudly they will not revisit the ban"
I get the impression from people on this site and the media in general that former conservative voters are totally disillusioned with the Cameron camp and tories in general for the way they are wrapping themselves in the blue cloak of the EU bully state.
People in other countries feel the very same about the shower in opposition available to vote for next time round, as they all sing from the samy hymn sheet and just want to keep the gravy train running for their own ends.
But England is very lucky in that it has a choice, with fringe parties like UKIP and BNP where the people can show their frustration in a way that can give all these useless wankers a sharp shock where it hurts most.
And from where I'm sitting it looks like its gonna happen!!
Mary and ann - can you imagine the furore if the unthinkable happened and UKIP and the BNP took every seat?
Joyce, Oh that it could happen! It would be just about what this country needed, being the nearest thing to disbanding government as we know it and starting afresh! Get rid of the corruption and self serving beaurocrats and start with a clean sheet.
Yes, it would be hard work and no doubt mistakes will be made along the way, but that happens now anyway! If the 'underdogs' had their chance and took it with honesty and integrity, then the picture for the future of England would look so much more inviting.
That cannot happen and it won't happen. The simple reason for this is that this government has actively encouraged millions of people to come into the country to work and claim benefits/social housing etc. and they will naturally vote for this government as they are 'grateful'. Also, we have the liberal left elite which is ruling us and they are enjoying the power, bullying ordinary citizens, pushing educated and less educated people out of work who don't agree with them, as well as feathering their own nests with lots of money and goods.
Repeal of the smoking ban does not figure on their agenda as they like to show us who is boss and, sadly, at present it appears that the Conservatives have no intention of repealing/amending this legislation. However, there is always the hope that things will become so bad (and I firmly believe they will) that they will have to revisit this legislation. After the New Year, some 65 establishments are predicted to close their doors each week. If you think there are lots of for sale/to let and other boards up now, then that's small fry compared to what will happen.
Jenny of Yorkshire, sadly, I know it won't happen, but pipe dreams are about all that are left for now!
If you haven't already, then it is worth having a go at the Conservative End of Year Survey, linked to in the latest blog here from Simon. It can be a bit longwinded, but at least there is the chance to put your own point of view.