EDWARD (HONEST JOHNSON) THOMAS - BRITISH PM CHARACTERS
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'Honest Johnson' is just about the only politician (ever) to be voted into office, by not exaggerating during his election campaign, but rather, by explaining to the electorate, just how poorly his contemporaries had done in reality, offering not to cover up the facts, but to make information about the United Kingdom available to all of the voters, by way of the unvarnished truth. Against all odds, his truthfulness paid off.
Fortunately, for the citizens of the United Kingdom, as the PM's
sweeping reforms kicked in, energy prices lowered, use of fossil fuels
decreased, and accountability was stepped up with specials task forces
to investigate planning crimes, procurement fraud and other criminal
activities. One of the most important legislative proposals, was the
elimination of election fraud, to reduce the number of Ponzi
Politicians.
In fairly recent politics in the beleaguered United Kingdom, the British public fell for election promises that the then candidates knew they had no chance to deliver. Many of which revolved around Brexit and independence from Europe. As a result, the UK economy foundered.
Edward John Thomas entered the political arena as a local councillor. Shocked at the level of corruption he encountered, and much dismayed at the antics of past PM's like Boris Johnson, he found that by telling it like it is, he was shunned as a district and then county councillor. But that, in being honest and forthright, the dishonest members eventually got caught out. He thus became an anti-corruption ambassador for the United Nations' Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs).
As a result of his unfortunate name, and dogged consistency, he was nicknamed "Honest Johnson" by the media, to differentiate him from Boris Johnson; the acknowledged antichrist of truthfulness. At first this was thought to be something of a career hindrance, by cronies who had clawed their way up the corrupt ladder to power. But soon, the press, and his colleagues, realised that it was impossible to catch out the candidate, or otherwise belittle his integrity. And, more importantly, whether good or bad news, whatever "Honest Johnson" said, it could be relied on.
Of course, Prime Minister Edward Thomas would not tolerate any nonsense, and soon weeded out many of the malingerers, who had got into politics for consultancy back-handers, rather than to represent their constituency, and work hard towards creating a sustainable 'blue' economy. With equality and fair treatment for all.
'Honest John' embarked on a quest to rid the Nation of fossil fuels, especially imports. He introduced laws to push the infrastructure for electric vehicles and hydrogen for industry and home heating.
He also pushed the technology boundary for bulk storage of green hydrogen, with tax incentives, and requirements of the existing stakeholders to invest in promising technology. The UK soon became a net energy exporter. The economy started to recover.
He was an advocate of zero carbon housing, and rewarded creativity in the entertainment and publishing arenas. Farming was boosted, tree planting and sustainable fishing. 'Honest John' implemented an ocean cleaning policy, lobbying other world leaders for change.
Most remarkably, this Prime Minister abolished pyramid trading schemes such a bitcoin, to get rid of the get rich quick ethos, that was eroding society. He pushed for a means of making the British £pound worth something more than the paper it was printed on. Linking it to agricultural output, backed by precious and non-precious metals. The £pound soared against the $dollar and Yen.
He also outlawed irresponsible lending, such as the 'Credit Society,' where it cost poor families almost twice as much to live in the long term. These bedrock policies, began to work. They were honest, back to basics policies, that only rich landlords - seen as modern slavers - would object to. But, with affordable housing coming on stream, where he forces local authorities to only grant permission for truly sustainable homes, with proper support infrastructure, unearned income soon began to fall, as rents had to come in line with low cost housing that was now available.
As wealth spread across the nation more evenly, landlords sought to reduce their carbon footprints. Taxes on goods soon replaced other unfair impositions. The difference being a choice. Citizens relished pulling together, no longer feeling repressed.
In addition, Honest John, forbade councils from investing in fossil fuels, or overseas. Through his carefully selected Cabinet, civil servant salaries and pension funds were scrutinized to weed out policies at local level, that were not designed to deliver value for the tax payer, but more to generate income to fund the enhanced retirement packages of corrupt chief executives.
As you might imagine. Edward Thomas was not popular with some back benchers and non-elected members of the House of Lords, who had been profiteering, in turn contributing to offshore accounts, in a bid to escape notice. But he was respected absolutely by the honest working population. Who had been let down with the devaluation of their savings and ridiculous food and energy prices, under previous (non) Conservative Governments. This period of time was known as the 'Cost of Living Crisis.'
Food and energy security for the ordinary voter, was paramount on his agenda.
This Prime Minister changed statute to force Kings and Queens to pay death taxes. No longer would they control the Courts and police with the honours system. It was borderline abolishment of the Monarchy, just one step removed. And the cruncher, was banning secret societies, such as the Masons. An organization that had infected the British Judiciary. No more favours for the old-school-tie brigade. You either had a case, or you didn't. A proposed Written Constitution had to be taken into account by the Courts. Thus, police investigations would be difficult to justify, if the conduct of the officers concerned was not impeccable. Honest John made police transparency part of his drive to root out corruption.
The National Health Service was modernized, with computer analysis of hospital and local surgery efficiency. High salaries for chief executives were subject to downgrading, in relation to performance - as to indicators like waiting lists. Working from home was banned. Regardless of Covid excuse.
A special task force was created to investigate planning crime. Corrupt planning chiefs and their police cronies, were arrested and their properties frozen as proceeds of crime, including overseas investments. These confiscations, boosted state coffers.
A windfall tax was created against farmers profiting from housing developments, most especially, those that were not affordable housing. The taxes from executive housing, went to fund social housing projects. Or to make low cost land available for self builds, like flat packs.
All citizens had their right to a fair trial re-instated. This meant revising Legal Aid limitations up, and ensuring that equal sums were available to the defence, to level the playing field. Including full disclosure of evidence. Procedures were tightened up to prevent abuse of process, as in discriminatory practices, contrary to codes of conduct. Especially at the investigation stages. The police would no longer control crime scenes, and thus become judge and jury. A practice that caused thousands of dissenters to be imprisoned fraudulently. The Criminal Cases Review Commission was replaced with rights to petition Appeal Courts, as new evidence or procedural irregularities surfaced. Once again, diluting cronyism in the judiciary.
This had a strange effect of lowering the cost of the justice system. Where local corruption was all but eliminated with computer algorithms to detect fraud, as in, abuses of positions of trust. People had to work again for a living, not leach off the workers in society.
Taxation rates were lowered, in line with the reduced cost of running the country. Also boosting taxes from spend, in circular economy fashion. So, raising the standard of living. Meaning those who were once undernourished, now enjoyed healthier diets. Reducing the cost of operating the National Health Service (NHS). With cleaner air to breathe, lung cancer rates began to drop in the suburbs.
Crime rates fell alongside prison populations. With a fairer society, those who might have been tempted to the dark side, found they had a place in society. And that life could be good, without dealing drugs, or money laundering. The Social Security system was overhauled, to encourage working. Not with harsh punishments, but with gentle assistance, and understanding. Low carbon lifestyles were rewarded.
Soon, the United Kingdom was able to hold it's head up high on the international stage. The formula, began to infect other corrupt administrations, mainly because the economy was working. Politicians began to be elected who were honest, to replace those who persisted with corrupt practices and lacking in transparency. His policies were seen as Circular and Sustainable. The UK was stronger than ever before. It was decent and honest.
'Honest Johnson' became known as the savior of the British economy. The media, no longer meant his nickname as an insult. They meant what they printed without inference.
Do you know who Honest Johnson is, the fictional prime minister Edward Thomas, in the John Storm ocean adventures series ?
SECTASAUR CAST
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