I competition piece

To stay in Europe or to leave Europe that is the question, but what is the answer?

David Cameron last Wednesday promised to give the British people a referendum in 2017 on our membership of the EU.

Unfortunately here’s the catch-David Cameron must be returned to Westminster in 2015 with a clear majority.

His negotiation strategy with other European leaders must fail.

Importantly Cameron hasn’t set out the rules of such a ‘referendum.’

Would a yes vote need to have 50%, 70%, 80% etc of the public’s suppourt to be acted upon?

The promise of a referendum is a red herring it won’t happen. 

Our Prime Minister is committed ‘heart and soul’ to keeping us in Europe.

Europe’s biggest economy is also devoted to keeping us in Brussels.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is ready to talk about giving powers back to Britain.

She wants Britain to play an active role in the EU and she will not allow us to leave.

Therefore David Cameron will come back to Parliament and the people with an agreement from Europe.

British business will fight tooth and nail to keep us in Europe.

They fear their interests will be affected greatly by the people getting their say.

In a recent open letter to Cameron, they stressed that any threat to Britain’s EU membership, would create ‘damage’ and ‘uncertainty’ for British Business.

The prospects of Britain’s people getting a final say on Europe seems quite slim then?

What about Labour and the Lib Dems surely they support the people getting a say on Europe.

Well... No they don’t they have both said it is not the right time for such a vote.

We haven’t had a say on Europe since 1975, so when is the right time going to be? ED? Nick?

How about our biggest ally surely America will back us in what we decide.

No they wont. President Obama believes Britain is stronger in Europe and gives the United States a strong voice within the 27 strong block.

So to the 53% of British people according to the Times newspaper, who want to leave Europe and allow the laws of the land to be decided by our parliament.

What should we do?

If you want to leave Europe vote UKIP. Nigel Farage is the only political leader who wants Britain to leave Europe.

UKIP are doing well in the polls and are according to some now the third party in British politics.

Britain needs to answer this 40 year old question decisively.

If you want to have your say don’t vote Labour, Lib Dem or Tory vote for Nigel Farage in 2015.

Only then can Britain regain control over it’s domestic affairs.

Ends

Word count: 450

Independent Piece

Britain is still a nation of tea drinkers according to a recent survey conducted by Travel Lodge.

Although, tea drinking as a custom dates back to the third millennium, it did not become popular in Britain until the mid 17th century.

Over 78 million cups of tea is brewed everyday across the United Kingdom.

It was the Dutch, who first brought tea to Europe in 1610. But, it wasn’t until 1658 that the first tea advert appeared in a British newspaper.

Tea is a drink loved by every age group. A third of 18-24 year olds, said that tea helps them to unwind.

A fifth of adults carry their favourite tea bags around with them.

Fifty-three per cent of Brits need a cup tea to brighten up their mornings.

British tea is usually, brewed in a China tea pot, but the survey suggests this could become obsolete.

Only 16% of people prepare tea in a traditional tea pot. With eight out of 10 complaining they do not have the time or patience to make tea in a teapot.

40% of adults just dip their teabags into hot water for only a minute.

When tea became popular in Great Britain, there was an urgent need for good handles, to suit the nation’s needs.

This lead to a growth in the pottery and porcelain industry, and the prosperity of modern companies including Wedgwood, Spode and Royal Dalton.

The time old tradition of the-British tea break-is alive and well. Afternoon tea is said to have come from one person.

Anna 7th Duchess of Bedford.

She launched the idea, in the early 1800s’. It was designed to bridge the gap between lunch and dinner, which in some cases might not be served until 8pm.

Many British companies still observe the custom of the tea break, with the most popular times being between 10am to 3pm.

By 1700 over 500 coffee houses sold tea. The first coffee house merchant to offer tea, was Thomas Garway, who owned an establishment in Exchange Alley.

Tea became the favourite drink of all classes by 1750, and that continues to this day.

63 per cent of Brits enjoy a cup of tea, after a long day at work.

The upper classes have tried to control the growth of tea for centuries.

King Charles II introduced in 1676 an act, which taxed tea, and required coffee house operators to apply for a license.

By the middle of the 18th century, the duty on tea had reached a staggering 119%.

The heavy taxation lead to a new trade of tea smuggling.

Even smuggled tea was expensive, and therefore, very profitable. 

Many smugglers added other substances such as, Willow, Licorice and Sloe leaves.

Used tea leaves were also redried and added to fresh leaves.

A pound of the cheapest tea cost about one-third of a skilled workers wages.

In 1784 William Pitt junior introduced the Communication act, which lowered the tax on tea to 12.5%.

Which, ended the smuggling trade. 

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Word Count: 503