Reflections on Parties

We all are meant to like a good party – but we all know some atrocious ones. Last December (12 December 2019 to be precise) we saw the impact of a number of lousy parties. A rough headcount:

• A Nasty one dominated by lies
• An Ideological one dominated by a desire for purity
• A Deluded one thinking it could spring into power
• A Party that does not want to be with the others
• A number of other small ones

The problem with political parties is that they are groups of approximately like-minded people. And there lies a problem – for our politics and ultimately for the country.

Fearing the worst

Today, we are a week away from EU elections in the UK (most Europeans vote on the following Sunday – when all the counts are done).

In the UK this election seems to be a proxy for either:

• a General Election (that is certainly how the leaflet from Labour read)
• a second EU referendum on various scenarios (Deal /No Deal, and Leave / Remain being the main almost unspoken options).

There seems little discussion of the future shape or policies positions of the EU Parliament. And yet this election could be pivotal and effect the shape and future of the EU.

A Failure of Parliamentary Democracy – the ongoing tale

Scope: UK Politics

All sides seem fed up with the way the Brexit negotiations have been handled, but in Parliament they seem so focused on Deal or No-Deal that they are not asking “why are we in this mess?”.

The answer would seem to be multiple failures of Parliamentary Democracy.

I agree with Tony

It’s worrying when it comes to this. I read an article by Tony Blair and find myself agreeing with it. My unease probably underlines why he is a voice in the dark and why his prescription – even if stated by a more acceptable voice (but who?) will be ignored.

And yet …

Laboured Lessons in Communication

The UK Labour Party have today made an announcement about their education policy (“our fantastic new education policy that will give the next generation the best chance”).

Before commenting on it, I am intrigued by the way it is being communicated to their supporters’ list. I am puzzled by the paucity of the announcement – given the above objective.

An Outside View

Sometimes it is sobering to read an outsider’s view of you. Today is one of those days. It does not help that I am already feeling depressed and not able to see a positive future.

Some people say that I only have myself to blame and it serves me right for being a small “l” liberal – although I can’t and don’t want to claim to be part of the “elite”. But early retirement does give me the luxury of time to follow current events and to read around a topic – and the internet means I have access to a wide range of views. The nihilists will claim that being informed makes me part of the “elite” and will delight at my discomfiture by recent events. That such people may be in a majority in “my country” I find incredibly depressing.

Red White & Blue – or “Dinner means Dinner”

People talk about the sort of Brexit that there is going to be – is it hard or soft, is it grey or white. Actually we want a red, white and blue Brexit: that is the right Brexit for the UK, the right deal for the UK.
The British Prime Minister, Theresa May, quoted on BBC News Website, 6 December 2016 | Theresa May: We want a red, white and blue Brexit

Red as in bloody, white as in the eventual surrender and blue as in the party who will ensure that it gains the most? Is Red White and Blue Brexit any closer to reality than “Brexit means Brexit”?

Will Democracy ever work for me?

Yes, I mean me personally. I got the vote in the mid 1970’s and democracy has never worked for me (talking UK). My vote has never made a difference and I have always been told that I must accept the “democratic will of the people”.

So I have, over and over and over again.

Cash for Votes – again

So the Labour Machine is at it again.

If you joined early this year responding to the “join and be a full part of Labour”, your membership contract apparently does not include the right to vote in an election that was not in the offing when you joined and which was called many months after you joined.

The appeal court has decided that the NEC (the top machine of a party that understands machine politics) is allowed to disqualify a group of members from having a right to vote in the leadership election. Presumably the NEC has something against this group of members. Breach of Contract does not apply – you cannot ask for “specific performance”.

But wait all was not lost …

We voted against Elites; the Elites consolidate

It has been said that much of the reason for the Brexit vote was people’s desire to vote against elites. So what has changed?

There are changes in the Conservative party and there are rumblings within the Labour Party.