Election 12
Reminder: Latest blog at top of page. Earlier posts towards the bottom.
In an earlier blog - when I expressed some concern about the dangers of leaning too far to the left in British politics - I promised to acknowledge that leaning too far to the right could be equally (if not more) damaging.
Having said that, however, in much the same way that socialism in this country has been fairly diluted by comparison with some other parts of the world, the same could be said of right-wing elements in our society. That is to say, apart from Mr. Mosley's blackshirts in the thirties and Mr. Griffin's numbskulls in more recent times, nothing the UK has produced could hold a candle to Messrs. Hitler, Mussolini, and Franco in Europe and General Pinochet and his ilk in South America.
Now, they really knew how to apply fascist policies.
Fortunately, there has never been anything that extreme in this country. However, incredibly, there were some who suggested that Mrs. Thatcher came into that category - but, that's absolute nonsense. There is little doubt, however, that towards the end of her reign - the Iron Lady leaned further to the right than might have been sensible; although how the poll tax should be her undoing is beyond me.
How can anyone argue that households with multiple wage earners - who can afford to run two, three, or more cars - should only pay the same rates as a little widow next door getting by on nothing more than a state pension?
So much for equality!
And the cruelest irony of that whole scenario was that the rioting was - to a very large extent - organised by movements (they know who they are) who would claim to support socialist principles.
