Shock & Awe

I think most UK voters expressed a sigh of relief when the Conservatives were so conclusively removed from government. But I remain concerned that we now have an elected dictatorship through an unjust voting system which does not reflect the wishes of the electorate as a whole. Labour’s overwhelming and record majority in parliament means it can do almost anything it likes and can rid its party MPs whose views may differ from the ‘party line’. Take the 2-Child Benefit Cap for example. Scotland’s SNP party’s amendment to the Kings Speech legislation which wanted to scrap the cap was supported by several Labour MPs (as Socialist Democrats) who were then promptly suspended from the Labour party for 6 months and only returned on ‘good behaviour’. I’m reminded of Boris Johnson’s actions in dismissing over 20 loyal and skilled Conservative MPs for disagreeing with his policies and on occasions voting against them.

We often hear that both Conservatives and Labour represent a ‘broad church’ of the electorate. These actions disprove these declarations. What is worrying is that Labour already seems to be ignoring contested views of its own MPs. It is therefore effectively promoting an authoritarian style of government that doesn’t listen to its own MPs, who are representing not only there own Socialist views but also those of their electorate. The intention is to instil fear into its MPs so that they toe the line and don’t jeopardise the prospects of promotion.

The Labour chancellor has described the state of the economy as shocking and surprisingly so. I am no politician or economist but it has been clear for some time that the UK is in a parlous state that has been built since Thatcher days. We seem to have followed the USA route rather than the more lucid and long-term European route. If indeed she is surprised at what she’s found then what was she doing in opposition - sounds like she was sleeping on the job - or is this a ploy to legislate for (undeclared) short-term (badly needed) tax rises? At the time of the last Conservative National Insurance reductions which were supported by labour, I wrote that reductions were the last thing needed with the current economy and critical state of our public services. But in the end it’s about politics and winning power at any cost, while the country ‘dies from a a thousand cuts’.

And it’s right to promote economic growth to raise more funding for our public services. But the big question is how can required growth be achieved without membership of the Customs Union and Single Market membership? Labour, in its misjudged reading of the public view, declared it would not seek to rejoin these two critically important aids to increasing economic growth. I am not convinced by anything Labour is espousing right now due to the dreadful state the country is in and the reluctance by the new government to 1) Review every major spending department over the next 5 years to ascertain problems and needs, with the most urgent needs fulfilled during the first term 2) In the second 5-year term ensure that all problems are solved and the country is on a sound and equal long-term future. In effect, it has to be at least a 10-year plan to go anywhere near solving the major problems the country and its people are facing. Rhetoric will not work in dealing with the problems facing the UK, and neither will Fiscal Rules. We are too far gone for that. We could start by overhauling and simplifying the very complex income tax system (one of the world’s most complicated) which allows the wealthy individuals and companies to get richer while the rest of us get poorer. This includes increasing asset-based taxes closer to earned income tax levels. Any tax avoidance and reduction schemes should be outlawed and firms specialising in these activities closed. Labour has promised to recruit another 6,000 teachers but they will be forced to teach very large class sizes. Reducing class sizes to no more than 25 would help retain teachers while providing more educational benefits to students.

We should promote the provision of affordable rental housing through local councils - this investment will pay for itself. Leasehold should be abolished and no-fault evictions ceased. Labour should introduce a Housing Bill Of Rights which recognises that a a safe and affordable home is a fundamental requirement for a civilised and secure society. But you cannot build homes without builders, and we are desperately short of them. For the next 5 years allow qualified builders from Europe to work and live in the UK, permanently, while training our own young and older in building skills.

Putin’s Example

Putin has been directly responsible for the killing hundreds of thousands in Syria and Ukraine, to name just two territories. He has also been responsible for the destruction of homes and infrastructure, tight control of Russia’s media, the removal of political opposition including the assassination and imprisonment of many opponents. He is also totally corrupt and I suspect his authoritarian leadership seeks to hide his ill-gotten gains which amount to billions.

Sound similar to another leader? Israel’s leader Netanyahu has taken several leaves from the Putin playbook including assassinations within and without Israel, the mass destruction of people and places, many war crimes, control of the media, and non-compliance with international law. He’s even being accused of corruption. But leaders like this only succeed because the people around him provide support and allegiance. How is it possible that Israeli fighter pilots knowingly fire missiles into private dwellings and kill thousands of children and women? How can they live with themselves? Many would also have children. It is beyond me.