OUR VISION

"The difference between the politician and the statesman is that the former thinks about the next election, and the latter about the next generation."

The current political parties are focused on one objective: their survival in the next election. Their compass is the next opinion poll. It’s a long time since they talked about changing the world and the changes we must make in the course of a generation, or in the next 20 years.

Yet it is more important than ever to form a coherent vision of the future for ourselves, and above all for our children, in a world that is changing ever more quickly, full of opportunities to be seized and dangers to be avoided.

So we are proposing a new way of doing politics. Starting out from our vision of the world, to create programmes and teams that correspond to our values.

START sees three major battles ahead, and the future of humanity and of the world we will leave to our children hinges on them. And two levers essential to winning them.

The war to save the planet

We must now go to war to save the planet. This is our first great fight, and the most important of all. If we don’t win, all else is meaningless. We must change our way of life, and rein in humanity and its impact on the environment. We are destroying the only planet we have. In doing so, we are compromising our children’s futures. This is madness.

But solutions exist. The European Union’s Member States have embarked on a process of taking better care of our planet (the Nordic countries, Luxembourg and Germany are leading this field).

Many European companies have started to specialise in this new niche (industry, consultancy, technology, etc.) All that is lacking is courage and political vision:

Here is our road map:

1. First of all, we must completely abandon fossil fuels as quickly as possible. Burning them is destroying the planet, and they are increasing the wealth of retrograde regimes in the Persian Gulf, with Saudi Arabia leading the way. We must give our full backing to research and innovation geared towards saving the planet; instead of letting our young engineers go off to work in banking or trading, we must put them to work saving the planet. The answers lie in storing energy, and generating electricity from solar power. If the Tesla company (electric cars and household batteries) can achieve this, why can’t Europe and France manage it too?

2. Reforestation. Eleven primary forests are burning before our eyes, while we stand and watch. For how long? Reforestation will also save a large number of animal species that are threatened with extinction as their habitat disappears.

3. Protect the oceans against overfishing, waste and pollution, following the example of the NGO Sea Shepherd.

4. Change our way of life. Eat less meat and better quality meat when we do eat it. Recycle much more, like the city of San Francisco does. Reduce our use of plastic (bottles, bags, etc.)

5. At the same time, change agriculture in favour of the farmers themselves. This is possible, as demonstrated by Mélanie Laurent and Cyril Dion in their film “Tomorrow”.

6. Ban the patenting of living organisms, and restrict companies globally that use genes for economic purposes: Monsanto and the rest.

7. The fight to save the planet no longer belongs to a few new-age hippies. It must no longer be the preserve of a Green party that is on a path of self-destruction due to a culture of oversized egos. We must all engage in this fight: grandparents who want to leave a world fit for their grandchildren to live in, young people who want a more positive future on a healthy planet, and freethinkers who want to restore economic growth…

FIGHT FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS

There is a way to resolve the problems created by the population explosion and the resulting mass immigration; and, in doing so, to increase the rate of economic growth, reduce corruption, and more. The solution is right before our eyes: it’s the fight for women’s rights. In France, Europe and the World.

Let’s consider this issue of mass immigration, which afflicts everyone: the countries unable to provide work and a decent life for their inhabitants, who therefore emigrate en masse; the host countries such as France who are unable to cope with this massive influx: and above all the migrants themselves, who have taken to the roads and are at the mercy of human traffickers, risking death at sea and disease. Hoping that a wall will resolve the problem is a ludicrous idea; this was last attempted in 1940 and it didn’t work then… But seriously, the only way to resolve this problem is to tackle it at its roots: the demographic explosion in some countries. There is just one way of doing this: through the education and emancipation of women. In Bangladesh, a primarily Muslim country, the birth rate has fallen from 5.5 children per woman to 2.2, in 15 years. How? The country has invested in women: educating girls, family planning, freedom of choice for women, upheld by the law. It can be done! It is up to us to help developing countries embark on the path that Bangladesh has taken. We can encourage them to do this through our development aid policy, that we must completely refocus and greatly increase, rooting it in the fight for women’s rights. As well as resolving the migration problem, such a policy will bring greater economic development, reduce corruption, etc. So what are we waiting for?

Closer to home, equality between men and women will bring greater economic growth. These are not START’s words, but those of the highly respected consultancy McKinsey. Here, the fight for women’s rights will take several forms: punishing the sexist insults and physical assaults that so many women fall victim to each day, and that neither the police nor the public prosecutors take seriously; restructuring national representation (as discussed earlier): applying progressive quotas for women in the major decision-making mechanisms of companies and public bodies.

the fight against inequalities

The problem is not the rich in general. We would like everyone to become rich if that is your goal in life: money does not bring happiness, but it can contribute to it. If you are rich, good for you. And if you are rich because you have created value for Society, created jobs in Europe, and helped to redistribute wealth by paying your taxes, then you deserve wholehearted congratulations and thanks.

There is no common social policy. This domain, which covers unemployment, jobs, working conditions, and social protection, falls within the responsibilities of the Member States. The 2007 Lisbon Treaty’s objective of full employment in 2010 has long been forgotten. Europe was unprepared and has had to cope with various types of crisis, from which it has never really emerged (except perhaps in Germany, England, and a few other States). However, although GDP is rising, and the global well-being of populations is increasing (median salary, life expectancy, ownership rates, etc.), the inequalities between the most disadvantaged and the richest seem even greater. Europe must help to reduce these inequalities

The real problem, that we are addressing, is cheats of all types, companies and individuals, and the system and the laws that allow them to cheat. Tax evasion is a scourge. It’s time that Europe proposed fiscal harmonisation in line with the economic goals and the situations of the different Member States. We must bring an end to tax competition between States that enables some large companies to pay no taxes. One example among many is Apple, which pays ridiculously low taxes in Ireland (but avoids payment of taxes in France or anywhere else in Europe), although this company holds $200 billion in cash. The opportunities for tax fraud that current European laws leave open to major groups are scandalous. British and European ministers have the power to change this, but they don’t. So we are going to get rid of them (by getting elected) and do it for them…

Without being destructive, we need to review our processes of redistribution, our laws, and our methods of monitoring and clamping down on cheats. We must also prioritise the efficiency of European institutions. We can’t claim to fight these great inequalities if Europe and its representatives are not setting an example. Alongside this, a concerted effort is needed to put politicians on the straight and narrow; what qualifies these individuals to preach moral rectitude to anyone?

Never forget that it will only take a political, economic or religious crisis for women’s rights to be threatened again. These rights can never be taken for granted. Women, you must remain vigilant for life.

Simone DE BEAUVOIR

If we are finally to succeed in meeting humanity’s three great future challenges, we need a clear and precise framework and direction. In the UK we will need a stronger, more streamlined State. Nothing will be possible without a coordinated, coherent Europe, and without a sensible, effective partnership with Africa. Education will of course always be the cornerstone of all future progress. It’s time to accept our responsibilities in relation to these subjects.

The UK, Europe and Africa

We must rebuild Europe to turn it into the Great Europe of nations, solidarity, diversity, secularism, prosperity and peace. This economic, political, democratic, peacemaking giant, that barely knows itself. We will build a strong Europe, but different from the existing model where the institutions are too far removed from the people, and too technocratic, and that the existing parties use as consolation prize for ministers in need of remuneration or a minor position. But of course, Europe: we have so much more in common with our European neighbours than with anyone else! Europe is peace and prosperity. And it can become Progress, Culture, the spearhead for saving the Planet, the model developed society!

More than just a beautiful ideal, creating this Europe is a necessity: the UK alone represents 0.88% of the global population for 3.89% of global GDP. The European Union represents 24.5% of global GDP and is the world’s largest economic area. If we want to exist and have an influence in the world, this must happen on a European scale. We will start by electing a parliamentary group of competent representatives who are committed to their role in the European Parliament, instead of treating the European elections as a consolation prize as the existing political parties do, instead of electing people who are not interested in Europe and who often don’t even sit in the Parliament. Once the START Group has been formed in the European Parliament, things will really start to move: fiscal and social harmonisation in Europe, European defence, a new European FBI specifically tasked with fighting terrorism and Mafia networks (cross-border organisations by nature), a common development assistance policy focused on the rights of women, a common, ambitious energy and environmental policy, etc.

We must choose Europe, without losing our identity, and make it into something great and beautiful - or resign ourselves to playing just a small part in the community of nations.
In Europe, we can also push back the boundaries and make a difference by changing our consumption habits, prioritising local production, then European, then the rest. By buying just a little more local or European production, we could stop creating additional debt, while providing jobs for our fellow citizens, thus reducing unemployment, increasing redistribution, etc. And creating less pollution at the same time: less transport, and with ethical and hygiene standards that are better here than in China, for example. START will communicate to explain to consumers and citizens the impact that their purchasing habits can have on society and the economy.
In the medium and long-term, Africa represents a tremendous opportunity for Europe. Its economic dynamism and rapid population growth will make it THE continent of the second half of the 21st century. Europe in general, and particularly the UK, have much to gain from helping Africa through its transformation. And much to lose from ignoring it… Being historically, linguistically and geographically close (Africa is in the same time zones as Europe), and thanks to our fellow citizens of African origin, we can build bridges that will help Africa to modernise and develop, at the same time furthering Europe’s economic growth.

A stronger, more streamlined State

The State cannot and must not take the place of companies. If a company is performing badly and losing money, the State will not improve the situation by nationalising it. Having said this, this idea is wrong to the extent that many have seen how powerless the State is to influence the development of modern society. According to this theory, the State is outdated, and lacks the power to guide, influence and set a course for the future. This view is both wrong and dangerous. The State can have a huge effect on the way the world, businesses and individuals develop, and it must do so now more than ever.
Why do we need a strong State now more than ever? To combat the privatisation of the world. To protect the general interest against large private companies and their increasingly powerful lobbies, which show ever more disregard for social norms. To define a strategy, make corresponding laws, and force private interests into line with the general interest - and not the opposite. Just one of many examples: the State has banned incandescent light bulbs, and they are no longer produced or sold commercially. This shows what can be done. Yet the first hybrid car, the Toyota Prius, was brought to market in Europe in 2004; so why, 12 years on, aren’t all taxis, in fact all new cars registered, hybrid or electric? The State makes the law; companies adapt to this law. When the State wants to, the State can…

Artificial intelligence, robots, immortality, privacy, industrial lobbies: we need a strong State to face up to the challenges of the future. We need a real State to counterbalance the very rich, well-organised lobbies. We need a brave State, committed to the values shared by its people. For all ethical and fundamental issues, we need now more than ever a strong State that protects the general interest - to plan with confidence for the future..
But why a more streamlined State? agile administration: a unique employment contract, paring down the many and various codes, getting rid of inefficient administration departments (less is more), having administrative human resources to reduce the overstaffed armies of civil servants.
A modern State with a positive vision of the future, constructively remodelled with competent individuals who have been approved by the people. These structural changes will affect the following major areas: Education, Infrastructure (particularly towns and cities), Justice, Health, and Security. The State must facilitate efficient redistribution while controlling flows. It will make the laws and protect the new constitution.

Modern Education

The problem with our National Education is that it does not know how to use the good ideas that some teachers develop in the field, or how to draw on the vast pool of talent represented by all these teachers, who are doing brilliant things in and with their classes. They number tens of thousands, in pre-schools, primary and secondary schools, and sixth forms - they are not listened to nearly enough. We will start by restructuring the Education Ministry: to reconstruct an efficient team, reintegrating many outgoing representatives, but not all; and to replace some of the bad, doctrinal ones, those who have been caught up in their theories for too long, with new faces straight from the world of education who have proved themselves in the field. It’s shocking to think that there are still people in the Ministry who were there when the universal teaching method was imposed, which did so much harm for so long to whole generations in terms of reading and writing.
“I condemn the ignorance that prevails at this time in both democracies and totalitarian regimes. This ignorance is so strong, often so complete, that it seems desired by the system, if not by the regime. I have often thought of what children’s education could be. I think very simple, basic studies are needed, in which children would learn that they exist within the universe, on a planet whose resources they will one day have to conserve, that they rely on air, water, and all living beings, and that the smallest mistake or act of violence threatens to destroy everything. They would learn that men have killed each other in wars that have only ever led to more wars, and that every country arranges its own history, untruthfully, so as to flatter its pride. They would learn enough of the past so that they feel connected those who have gone before, so that they admire them where they deserve to be admired, without idolising them any more than the present or a hypothetical future. We would try to familiarise them with both books and things; they would know the names of plants, they would understand animals without engaging in the hideous dissections forced on children and very young teenagers in the name of biology. They would learn to give first aid to the wounded; their sexual education would include being present at a birth, their mental education the sight of the very sick and the dead. They would also be given the simple moral concepts without which life in society is impossible: education that the elementary and secondary schools no longer dare to provide in this country. In terms of religion, no practice or dogma would be imposed, but they would be taught a little about all the world’s major religions, especially that of the country they live in, to awaken respect in them and destroy in advance any abhorrent prejudices. They would learn to love work when work is useful, and how not to be taken in by deceptive advertising, starting with advertising extolling more or less completely artificial sweets, setting them up for tooth decay and diabetes in the future. There is certainly a way of talking to children about truly important things earlier than we do now.” Marguerite Yourcenar, "With Open Eyes."
Finally, we will develop a coordinated approach to teaching in Europe, and a ranking of the UK's best universities and European universities. The Americans have their "Ivy League", with Harvard, Stanford, Berkeley and so on. We Europeans, once we decide to see ourselves as the Giant that we refuse to recognise in us, will be more than able to compete, with the London School of Economics, the University of Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College, UCL, as well as HEC, La Bocconi, Erasmus University etc.

"The difference between the politician and the statesman is that the former thinks about the next election, and the latter about the next generation."

The war to save the planet

FIGHT FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS

the fight against inequalities

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