I caught a bit of Tim Farron and Nick Clegg on the radio. It sounds like they have both decided that what the populace wants is more of the policies that lead them to the edge of extinction last time (cozying up to the Tories whilst tutting loudly). Given that the Labour Party has decided that the major problem with Ed Miliband is that he wasn’t left wing enough, that the SNP thinks the answer to everything is Independence, and UKIP see the refugee crisis as proof that they are right… the only party flirting with change is (amazingly) the Tories. Who are busy trying to steal old New Labour policies and UKIP ones at the same time, which is tricky but at least a recognition that they need more voters.
Politics, eh?
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Politics is a rum business just now, IMHO. I gave up on socialism after a decade of student wankers playing “I’m lefter than you”. They became the Ed Millibands and Corbyns of our time, depending on their orientation within the party. It was infra-dig to support the 80s Tories, but you do wonder how much this was stirred-up the establishment not liking the jumped-up pushing them out, as much as Poll Taxes, the Falklands, deregulation, etc. The Tories are backin their old “party born to Govern” position, and doubtless pleased to not have to bother with us riff-raff again.
I suspect (I was a comprehensive boy who did well) the post-war grammar schools briefly provided an opportunity for meritocracy as indicated by the opening up of the UK to the talented working classes, and briefly things looked better. That door is now firmly shut and things being turned back: though 50% of kids now go to university (it was 5% 35 years ago), the opportunities for the new graduates are limited; it’s grim when the early 1980s looks like a world of high-minded opportunity relative to the superficial now. The enquiry into political wrong ‘uns and their sensitive crimes with vulnerable kids is about to be buried, and in 15 years any remaining evidence will be shredded or mouldering even more. Oinkgate and Gideon’s exotic friends and hobbies are no longer evidence of unsound compromisability. Voting is not a sign of representation, as Greens discovered, let alone ‘Kippers or Scottish Labour supporters. The Government and their business friends just want consumers who don’t answer back, and the contempt for the public is overt. Socialism for the rich bailed out by Governments, free market risks for the lower orders. Might it be that this is a better position, as we no longer have to kid ourselves Government gives a crap about democracy and fairness, and we can return to being as cynical about them as they about us?
Well said Vincent. Up arrow in the post.
Apparently one of George Osbourne’s bon mots is “when you’re in oppositing, move to the centre…when you’re in power, move to the centre”. You’ve missed the point in the LDs though, both in what they did in the coalition and what they want to do now. Mind you, I’m an instinctive liberal. “Cosying up to the Tories” is from the same playbook that calls Liz Kendall a Tory. I’m sure it was a throwaway comment.
Funny isn’t it, no matter how carefully you check a post, there’s always some half arsed typo in there! EDIT, NOW! PLEASE! Opposition not oppositing, obviously!
And it should be “move the centre” not move to the centre”. Shouldn’t have had that Laphroaig!
So, when slightly less than sober, your spelling and grammar of ordinary stuff goes to shit – but you can still spell one of Islay’s best.
Eenteresting
I looked that one up!