Redemption: The Bizarre Changes In My Political Views The Morning After

Had I planned this blog post last night, it would have been a rant post about how everyone was wrong and I was right. That’s an exaggeration, but I think you get the feeling I’m talking about.

However, I woke up this morning with a re-aligning of my political views.

Firstly- and one of the most drastic for me- is that I finally accepted Tony Blair as a good Prime Minister, maybe one of the best. This doesn’t forgive his war, it doesn’t forgive the privatisation of various public services that started under his watch, or enjoying the poisoned apple of the Murdoch press. But, on a continuum, if we returned to a Blair administration today, it would be a far more progressive government than the one we are staring at now. It would certainly help more of our most vulnerable in society. It wouldn’t be as radical as I would have liked… But it would be much more of a positive force for good. And, on top of that, have the mandate of the British people.

The second for me was finally accepting the EU referendum result. I think it will make life harder for us in the long run, and think it will be a sad day for internationalist politics as a whole when it happens. But I am at the point I would rather be under a Labour government- whether Blair or Corbyn- whilst leaving the EU than the Tories.

I found more subtle things changing within me as well. If I were to re-join the Labour Party, I would much more likely vote for a moderate candidate than when I voted for Corbyn a few years ago. I agree with Corbyn much more- but would rather a Labour government actually in power, able to enact at least some of these beneficial policies.

This isn’t where I lay the blame on Corbyn, unlike most on the centre-left. At the end of the day, he was voted as leader by members of the party. He was elected- twice- on a platform that was clear to members, and that he delivered. Sadly, that platform turned out not to be one that would have won this election.

Now isn’t the time to ostracise movements such as Momentum. Instead, invite them to the table, to return the party to the coalition of varied views that make up the centre-to-left spectrum; along with New Labour, Progress, Compass, The Fabian Society, The Co-operative Party and of course the trade unions.

This is the Labour party I would like to return to. We are far, far stronger united and with the common goal of Social Democratic values; improving the Welfare State; improving the lives of the most vulnerable in society than apart.

Death Of The Milk Snatcher

So there we have it. The passing away of probably the most polarizing figure of UK politics. How should I feel about this woman, who was ousted from power before I had any conscious memory?

Some have resorted to parties, and for them I can see why. Thatcher was a force that privatised virtually everything that was possible. A force that took on the miners to push an entire generation out of work. This wasn't necessarily for the public good being rooted in mostly ideological reasons, although I can only assume in her mind and her rhetoric it was supposed to help the country.

Others have gone into messages of mourning, interestingly including the Labour Party and quite a number of Labour MPs. Probably a testament to the party's refusal to have any open discussion that so much as brushes towards the left, and likewise their thought police ensuring only bright, fresh faced thatcherites are allowed to stand as MPs.

Apparently, even the Queen is saddened and in shock- one of the very few state institutions not to be privatised.

All I can really say is it is sad that a person has died, regardless of her political affiliation. But state money and time should not be wasted on her funeral or messages of condolences in Parliament. And if we are to pay for her funeral, in her spirit we should privatise it and offer it to the lowest bidder with the best value for money!

Welfare Cuts? Do We Need Cuts?

Fitting poster. Though I'm not advocating a Labour Vote.

Warning: Before you excommunicate me, I'm playing Devil's Advocate here. An interesting game; but no Playstation Network trophies.

"No to all cuts!" many protestors say. It's an argument that irritates me a little. If we were to trust the government's figures (OK, that's stretching it a bit), and we really have run out of money, then for me it is an argument that doesn't really work.

If I borrowed £5000 from a reputable credit card company (or Cash Convertors at least), and after the first year of payments stated quite clearly to them that I didn't want to pay my debt anymore because I didn't accept the lifestyle change, I'd probably get laughed at and a hefty court bill. I don't see why national budgets or borrowing should be any different. Even if the danger of our deficit is constantly being over-inflated by the coalition.

It is where these cuts lie, however. For me to agree to any budget that includes cuts, the cuts need to fall equally on the entire population. If my income and benefits are going to be reduced because of a cap on benefits, or an increase in tax, then I would expect that the same burden be applied to everyone on every income. I would fully expect taxes or other burdens to increase so that, as a population, it would result in us all across the income spectrum (as far as possible) gaining an increased income of no more than, for example, 2%. If I knew the head of Barclays Bank was having the same proportion of income reduced as me, I'd sleep much better at night.

What we see, however, is tax on the highest incomes reduced while these tax increases and benefit caps are inflicted on the poorest. We are quite blatantly not in it all together. And this is further compounded by the wealthiest, such as the owners of these international banks, are the ones that caused this financial mess all those years ago.

Add onto this the fact there are many areas this government could be cutting or raising money from, and this obsession with "scroungers" and "benefit cheats" makes you wonder if there is more at work here. Although to be honest I don't think our leaders are that intelligent; they just want to look hard on fraud so Daily Mail readers are more likely to vote for them. To be fair, about 2 million people read the Daily Fail, so I suppose you can't blame them.

Disclaimer: I do not actually get in the habit of taking loans out from Cash Convertors.

Welfare Cuts? Do We Need Cuts?

Fitting poster. Though I'm not advocating a Labour Vote.

Warning: Before you excommunicate me, I'm playing Devil's Advocate here. An interesting game; but no Playstation Network trophies.

"No to all cuts!" many protestors say. It's an argument that irritates me a little. If we were to trust the government's figures (OK, that's stretching it a bit), and we really have run out of money, then for me it is an argument that doesn't really work.

If I borrowed £5000 from a reputable credit card company (or Cash Convertors at least), and after the first year of payments stated quite clearly to them that I didn't want to pay my debt anymore because I didn't accept the lifestyle change, I'd probably get laughed at and a hefty court bill. I don't see why national budgets or borrowing should be any different. Even if the danger of our deficit is constantly being over-inflated by the coalition.

It is where these cuts lie, however. For me to agree to any budget that includes cuts, the cuts need to fall equally on the entire population. If my income and benefits are going to be reduced because of a cap on benefits, or an increase in tax, then I would expect that the same burden be applied to everyone on every income. I would fully expect taxes or other burdens to increase so that, as a population, it would result in us all across the income spectrum (as far as possible) gaining an increased income of no more than, for example, 2%. If I knew the head of Barclays Bank was having the same proportion of income reduced as me, I'd sleep much better at night.

What we see, however, is tax on the highest incomes reduced while these tax increases and benefit caps are inflicted on the poorest. We are quite blatantly not in it all together. And this is further compounded by the wealthiest, such as the owners of these international banks, are the ones that caused this financial mess all those years ago.

Add onto this the fact there are many areas this government could be cutting or raising money from, and this obsession with "scroungers" and "benefit cheats" makes you wonder if there is more at work here. Although to be honest I don't think our leaders are that intelligent; they just want to look hard on fraud so Daily Mail readers are more likely to vote for them. To be fair, about 2 million people read the Daily Fail, so I suppose you can't blame them.

Disclaimer: I do not actually get in the habit of taking loans out from Cash Convertors.

Fairer/More Local Policy on Wind Turbines

Windmills of the 21st century or hell on Earth? Photo by Lizzie

Something that enrages the life out of me is this entire debate on whether we should have Wind Turbines or not. The growing consensus appears to be "not in my backyard" from a small but very vocal minority, with arguments of destroying countryside, noise (which surprises me, as I have stood underneath the ones in Mablethorpe and not heard a thing) and (occasionally) that man-made climate change is a lie. More frustrating is the lack of a proper political opposition to the "tough" stance on wind farms by Lincolnshire County Council.

I believe there is a very simple answer to all of this.  Once a suitable site has been found, hold a  referendum on whether it should be built or not. If there is a wide opposition from residents in the area, then they should be granted their request providing ALL residents reduce their energy expenditure in the space of 2 years, let's say by 20%. All residents should be able to receive free monitoring equipment to measure their energy usage.

More power stations are required because of the closure of old ones, and because our energy needs are increasing all the time. To me the argument on climate change is a moot point, compared to the very real threat posed by the dwindling of the world's fuel supplies, which will lead to ever rising costs for us all. If we are to take the views of residents opposed to wind farms seriously, then on behalf of the country they should be expected to play their part in reducing their use of energy.

EDIT: You can make your views known to Lincolnshire County Council by completing their questionnaire. You may be able to better express your views by calling their customer service centre on 01522 782226 or e-mailing them. You could also try tweeting them.

Please also sign this petition for renewable energy development in Lincolnshire on Avaaz. 

Fairer/More Local Policy on Wind Turbines

Windmills of the 21st century or hell on Earth? Photo by Lizzie

Something that enrages the life out of me is this entire debate on whether we should have Wind Turbines or not. The growing consensus appears to be "not in my backyard" from a small but very vocal minority, with arguments of destroying countryside, noise (which surprises me, as I have stood underneath the ones in Mablethorpe and not heard a thing) and (occasionally) that man-made climate change is a lie. More frustrating is the lack of a proper political opposition to the "tough" stance on wind farms by Lincolnshire County Council.

I believe there is a very simple answer to all of this.  Once a suitable site has been found, hold a  referendum on whether it should be built or not. If there is a wide opposition from residents in the area, then they should be granted their request providing ALL residents reduce their energy expenditure in the space of 2 years, let's say by 20%. All residents should be able to receive free monitoring equipment to measure their energy usage.

More power stations are required because of the closure of old ones, and because our energy needs are increasing all the time. To me the argument on climate change is a moot point, compared to the very real threat posed by the dwindling of the world's fuel supplies, which will lead to ever rising costs for us all. If we are to take the views of residents opposed to wind farms seriously, then on behalf of the country they should be expected to play their part in reducing their use of energy.

EDIT: You can make your views known to Lincolnshire County Council by completing their questionnaire. You may be able to better express your views by calling their customer service centre on 01522 782226 or e-mailing them. You could also try tweeting them.

Please also sign this petition for renewable energy development in Lincolnshire on Avaaz.