MAINTAINING EQUILIBRIUM

There is a thought provoking take on the National Health from Roger Steer, which I believe is published in the journal Brave New Europe, entitled An Alternative European Perspective- (July 2022) at the following link:

https://files.constantcontact.com/9bc520cb001/8c244bf8-a25a-4d24-bdad-ad0162bb901d.pdf

In my view, well worth a read. Brave New Europe, by the way, is an interesting publication. It claims: “BRAVE NEW EUROPE publishes expertise with a radical face and attitude concerning European politics and economics. We promote critical thinking and the creation of an alternative to neo-liberalism.” It can be found at: https://braveneweurope.com/

In the meantime, the faux election of conservative party leader trundles on, with various short pithy interviews of local conservative party members, most of whom reflect on missing Boris Johnson (have they no shame or concept of honesty and truthfulness) and claim to be leaning towards Liz Truss. Although there are a few Rishi Sunak admirers, some of them also seem to favour the ‘loyal’ Liz Truss. Despite journalists stating that ‘we won’t know till the ballots go out’ it already seems to be conclusive that Ms Truss will be the next Prime Minister. 

 

How is it that a group most opposed to civil liberties, a dynamic free press and rights to protest - in short everything enabling and supporting the freedom of the individual - are able to anoint the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom?  I hasten to add that, though they claim respect for the rule of law, what they really support is the rule of power, which they equate with the law. The rule of law tempers power. It is there to prevent abuse of any kind from any source. If that source is the government of the day, or any of its members, then the law can intervene. In fact it is meant to intervene. The rule of law is designed to protect the citizen. It is a universal concept derived from the very first moment two creatures rubbed noses or shook hands together. An agreement to co-exist. 

 

That simple agreement has given rise to any number of clauses in legislation throughout the world to provide for the health and safety of the citizen; nonetheless, there are those who would seek to interfere with that process and impose their own brand of legislation restricting the implementation of the freedoms that simple agreement engenders. 

 

This is what appears to be happening in a number of countries. It is unfortunate and dangerous that it should be happening in the United Kingdom and some other European States, as it is even more dangerous that it is happening in the United States, and yet more dangerous that it has already happened in Russia, China and other areas in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. 

 

I guess I would be classified as an old fart, but please bear with me. I have been pondering the calibre of politicians currently sitting in the House of Commons. There are at present 200 Labour Party members of which 104 are women. There are 358 Conservative Party members of which 87 are women. Of the 44 Scottish National Party 16 are women and of 14 Liberal Democrats 9 are woman. All in all there are 225 women MP’s out of 650, or 35%. The next Prime Minister will be a woman.

 

When I came to the United Kingdom in 1965, the Labour Party were in Government. There were thirteen women in Harold Wilson’s first Government only two of whom were in Cabinet. at one time or another, Barbara Castle and Judith Hart. The other eleven were Ministers, Alice Bacon, Shirley Williams, Harriet Slater, Eirene White, Jennie Lee, Joan Lester, Gwyneth Dunwoody, Margaret Herbison, and three Lords in Waiting, Baroness Phillips (who was first female Government whip in the House of Lords and mother of Gwyneth Dunwoody), Baroness Serota and Baroness Llewelyn-Davies both Government Whips. Baroness Serota’s son Nicholas became director of the Tate Gallery.

 

At the time, there were 18 women elected as MPs and 8 of them had Government jobs. Initially two serving in Cabinet. 

 

The soon to be ex-Prime Minister has seven women attending his last and final Cabinet, namely, Liz Truss, Priti Patel, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Dr Thérèse Coffey, Baroness Evans of Bowes Park, Nadine Dorries and Suella Braverman. There are a few other Junior Ministers as well. Not one of them is of the substance and calibre of a Barbara Castle, Shirley Williams, Judith Hart or Emma Nicholson who switched from the Conservative Party to the Liberal Party in 1995, or even Margaret Thatcher. They pretend to the fantasy image of a Margaret Thatcher, who at least had some idea of integrity and real respect for the rule of law, even although her politics were reprehensible. 

 

The current lot’s politics are equally reprehensible with no concept of integrity or character, to which they merely pay lip service. How can they continue to quietly condone the appalling mendacious and venal behaviour of Boris Johnson? To continue to spew out nonsense like “He got Brexit Done”, “He masterminded the vaccine rollout”, “He was the first to defend Ukraine”, when he falsely claimed credit for these events, is as dishonest as Boris himself. They talk of others stabbing Boris in the back. Boris Johnson should have been hung out to dry from the moment his true character surfaced at Eton. If anyone finally deserved a comeuppance, it is Boris Johnson. That he continues in office and to maintain the support of the local conservative party membership speaks volumes of the low level of character that is currently claiming membership of, and allegiance to, this party. 

 

To actively condone lies and deceit is not only stupid but extremely dangerous. One only has to observe the current outbursts of the likes of Nadine Dorries, from whom all now appear to be distancing themselves, to realise the depths to which such an individual can stoop. How Liz Truss can tolerate her presence, or support, is indicative of both their lack of character. 

 

I once had a client who described a particular police officer with the phrase “What a low piece of life that is.” He, himself, was not a particularly nice man, but nonetheless he expressed a view that many in the neighbourhood seemed to share in respect of that officer. Community policing was not on his agenda. Would it be too unkind to use the phrase in the case of Nadine Dorries? I think the football fans who booed ex-spice girl Geri Halliwell for her photo op with Ms Dorries says it all. 

 

Also remember, this is a person Boris Johnson is likely to elevate to the House of Lords. This is being done to allow for passage of the repressive crime bill sought by Priti Patel, in the house of Lords. He will pack the Upper House with repressive and right wing peers in the same way that Donald Trump packed the Supreme Court of the United States. It has rendered asunder the Constitution of the United States and the cause of liberty of the citizen and freedom of the press are severely endangered. So will it be in Britain.

 

The colossal failures of this charade of government since the 24^th June 2016, is being smothered under the simple joy of the success of a young women’s football team, that has brought out shouts of delight and singing in the streets. I am sorry to say there is far too much being made of the event than it warrants in the face of the realities of life.  It is great indeed and a wonderful happening, but it does not resolve the issues of inflation, cost of living or saving and fixing the NHS. Would that the money that will now be poured into the women’s football league were paid into the NHS instead. Heresy to say this perhaps but I do not believe out of place. We cannot bury our heads in the clouds of happy and joyous song of “Football’s coming home” when so many find it so difficult to even buy one. I am afraid levelling up is not about chasing another football trophy, or is it? Please let me know.