Election 29
Reminder: Latest blog at top of page. Earlier posts towards the bottom.
Excellent graphics showing history of UK political parties.....
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8649185.stm
Election 29 Reminder: Latest blog at top of page. Earlier posts towards the bottom. Excellent graphics showing history of UK political parties..... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8649185.stm
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Election 28 Reminder: Latest blog at top of page. Earlier posts towards the bottom. Something I find rather difficult to understand about the situation in which the Labour party finds itself at the moment, is the fact that it seems to be the general concensus of opinion that the current Prime Minister is to blame. OK. So, he's having a pretty bad run, but I believe Gordon Brown is a man of some integrity who was placed (quite deliberately, in my opinion) in an almost untenable position by the actions of his thoroughly disingenuous predecessor. To add insult to injury, this unfortunate episode has been overseen - and some might say, orchestrated - by someone to whom he turned for assistance; I mean, of course, the iniquitous Baron Mandelson of Foy in the County of Herefordshire and of Hartlepool in the County of Durham. Wouldn't it be interesting to imagine what The Bard of Stratford-upon-Avon could have made of such shenanigans? Election 27 Reminder: Latest blog at top of page. Earlier posts towards the bottom. Now, The Independent turns against Labour.... http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/leading-articles/leading-article-vote-for-change-real-change-1960288.html Election 26 Reminder: Latest blog at top of page. Earlier posts towards the bottom. Now, The Observer backs the Lib Dems.... http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/may/01/liberal-democrats-endorsement-observer Election 25 Reminder: Latest blog at top of page. Earlier posts towards the bottom. What, on earth is the world coming to? Yesterday, The Guardian pledged its support for the Liberal Democrats and, today, a leading Daily Mail journalist urges readers not to vote for the Tories. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1270363/This-importan t-article-I-ve-written--loyal-Conservative-voters-hate-it.htm Election 24 Reminder: Latest blog at top of page. Earlier posts towards the bottom. Probably the most significant and, perhaps, historic event of this election. The Guardian ditches Labour and backs the Liberal Democrats...... http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/apr/30/the-liberal-moment-has-come Election 23 Reminder: Latest blog at top of page. Earlier posts towards the bottom. I think it's fair to assume that, although I have admitted to having voted for all three of the main UK parties over the last half century - or so, a significant number of those whom I follow or am being followed by on Twitter are a bit on the arty-farty side (as they say) and, as a consequence lean to the left in political terms. This blog is for them. There aren't many amongst those who voted for New Labour in 1997 who would deny they are disappointed that the euphoria which attended Tony Blair's election has dwindled to the point where many suspect they may have been deceived. Yet, despite his obvious faults - his unilateral decision to take this country to war, for example - there are still some who cling to the concept that his period in office was a success. However, the resignations of real socialists like Frank Field, Claire Short and Robin Cook, for example, suggests there were some who acknowledged a failure to live up to their promises. Going on from that, there is a widely-held conception that Tony Blair resigned in an honourable reponse to an alleged pact involving Gordon Brown in a restaurant in Islington a decade, or so, previouly. This isn't true. He was forced to resign following a massive revolt by his own backbenchers. Putting that aside, however, I have recently heard it claimed that, "whilst the last few years under Labour haven't been that groundbreaking, at least a lot was achieved in the first few years." Sadly, however, that observation fails to acknowledge that New Labour - and Gordon Brown, in particular - made no effort to alter the fiscal plans his Tory predecessor made prior to the 1997 election. What's more, there is strong evidence to suggest that they have continued to 'steal' Conservative policies throughout their term in office. Now, I would like to think that those who have taken the trouble to follow this blog will have recognised that a fundamental aim in putting it together is to draw attention to how many voters seem to be influenced by sentiment rather than common sense and fear rather than fact. For example, whomsoever made the aformentioned statement seems determined to remain loyal to a socialist heritage based on background (perhaps) together with (almost certainly) a lingering memory of being a child and a young adult during the Thatcher years. The consequence of these circumstances may have contributed towards the factor I mentioned in the previous paragraph - i.e. fear (of the Tories) - which has proved to be stronger than the recognition of fact - i.e. the last few years under Labour haven't been groundbreaking. Perhaps this is an appropriate time to point out that there are alternatives to both of the above! Election 22 Reminder: Latest blog at top of page. Earlier posts towards the bottom. As the general election approaches, although I might offer a more detailed appraisal at a later date, it might be interesting to jot down some of my thoughts at this stage in the build-up to the big day. The first impression I have formed is that the UK is being drawn towards a political process which is more appropriate for choosing a president than for electing 650, or so, individual MPs. This, in my opinion, is unfortunate. One only has to be reminded of the sainted Tony Blair's efforts to introduce a neo-presidential system into Downing Street to realise that rejecting the cabinet format is a recipe for disaster. Few would argue, for example, that his decision to go to war could not possibly have been reached by more established methods of governing this country. Returning to this election, it can't be ignored that the leaders of the three main political parties have been invited (some might say, forced) to take centre stage and, in the opinion of most, young Mr. Clegg seems to have gained the upper hand. It's very easy to be wise after the event - but, this is hardly surprising because he has very little to lose. The other two leaders, on the other hand, have almost everything to lose. My second reaction to the recent hustings is that there might be a case to abandon the three-party system of government. Putting aside the fact that the Liberals haven't played a significant role in UK politics for the best part of a century, the fact remains that they were the original opposition to the Tories. In the meantime, the Labour party assumed the mantle of 'anti-capitalist' with some success. However, although their sentiments were to be admired, the simple fact of the matter is that almost all the world has come to recognise that socialism has had its day. So, to conclude this summary, it might be time for those who despise the Tories (and there are many) to understand that a single party of the left would be far more effective that two. Mrs. Thatcher and Mr. Blair effectively consigned 'old' Labour to the rubbish bin and Mr. Brown & Co. don't seem to be doing very much to dig them out. So, perhaps, it's time for the original party which supported 'reform' to be given an opportunity to provide the main opposition to the Conservatives and for New Labour to fade away into obscurity. Maybe, a hung parliament might be the first step on that journey. Election 21 Reminder: Latest blog at top of page. Earlier posts towards the bottom. Hopefully, it will heat up as the week progresses. However, as I write this, the election is becoming a bit of a bore. So much so, that there isn't one story about it in the top five stories on the BBC News web-page. Thankfully, there are still some who contribute to Twitter who can still get a bit excited about it. Election 20 Reminder: Latest blog at top of page. Earlier posts towards the bottom. What's in a name? http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/7024197.stm |
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