I ask, despite the whole world and his uncle writing him off at the next election, for several reasons. First, there is that missing elephant in the room! By that, I mean that 'Edenoidal Ed' has yet tell us what his Godfather, Len McCluskey (boss of the UNITE union), plus his consigliore, 'the other Ed' (Balls), have told him is going to be Labour policy. When we actually find out what the Big Unions are after I suspect that more than just few minds will be concentrated. We are already seeing some signs as 'the Bruvvers' ratchet up strike actions here and there and are even contemplating a general strike. Bring it on, I say, and watch Labour gurgle down the toilet.
We have a taste of what is to come in the kerfuffle over changes to welfare benefits. The Tories, for once, are actually boasting of their changes and are meeting wailing, weeping Labour head on - and actually winning the argument according to the polls. Dave strides boldly across Europe, or he was until 'that woman' died, but at least he is making the right noises even if the results will be negligible. If that ridiculous woman at the Home Office can actually show improvements in the efficient handling of immigrants, now that she has taken over personal control, then a lot of potential Tory voters might be swayed.
Then there is the donkey in the room, that is, the il-Lib-non-Dems. I have happily written them off to virtual extinction at the next election but, mea culpa, perhaps the wish is father to the forecast! They did surpisingly well in the by-election for the 'Lesbian-straightener's' seat and I wonder how well they will do when 'Randy-Handy' Hancock's seat becomes vacant? Also, I am not sure who exactly will benefit the most between Labour and Tories if indeed the il-Lib-non-Dems do implode. The word is that, like Southampton, under Dave's less than inspired leadership, local Tory associations have disintegrated and are unable to take advantage in constituencies begging to be won over.
I guess, as always - or nearly always - "it's the economy, stoopid!" Frankly, I haven't a clue as to the state of our economy. I don't believe any of the stats which flow endlessly across my TV screen. All the allegedly important ones have to be corrected several times before they become out of date, so what's the point of them? I just look about me and frankly I don't see much sign of austerity. Osborne doesn't seem to be doing anything right but then again he isn't doing anything hugely wrong - in the short term - the long term's a different story!
So, perhaps when it comes to the boy David it may not be a case of 'with one bound he was free' but more like with one stumble he made it - just!
Like you, I find it difficult to see many signs of austerity and the "cuts". I might have said here before, my attitude to Cameron is that he doesn't care what I think and I don't care what he says. Perhaps the voters have decided to ignore what politicians say and get on with life. No one believes them, so what is the point of getting unhappy over them. To support my belief I noticed the other day that people are paying down their debts and saving more. Contrary to the politicians belief that we should all spend more.
Posted by: backofanenvelope | Tuesday, 09 April 2013 at 10:02
Hmmmn, sublime indifference, it might work, BOE!
Posted by: David Duff | Tuesday, 09 April 2013 at 13:30
In the early 1980s, I was on holiday in Italy. We were enjoying a leisurely lunch in a back street in Sienna. At the next table was an Italian chap, a bit younger than me. Would we mind if he practised his English on us? After a bit of practice, he asked us if English ladies always wore "hets"? From this we got to Mrs Thatcher. She always wore a "het" he remarked. Yes I said, but did he know that she was actually a man in women's clothes? His brown Italian eyes grew round and new English words were exchanged. Behind us there was an explosion. Another Italian, eavesdropping, collapsed into his soup. He didn't know Mrs Thatcher was a bloke either…….
I nearly met her once. One Saturday afternoon, I was scheduled to give her an intelligence briefing on cruise missiles. Unlike most politicians, in my experience, she was not happy to talk about something she knew nothing about. I was warned to speak normally, answer all questions and be prepared for a lot of them. All prepped up and wearing my best suit I arrived at the Cabinet Office just after lunchtime on Saturday. Only to be told that her flight to Washington had been brought forward and the briefing cancelled.
What's this all about you ask? Well, everyone else is writing about her and most of them never met her, let alone nearly gave her a talk on cruise missiles! Going back to the first paragraph, I met lots of foreigners, Americans, Canadians, Frogs and various other sorts of Europeans. All of them admired her and us for electing her. Would we like to swop they asked; her for half a dozen of their leaders.
In my opinion, her greatest achievement was to change the national mood. In 1979 we were depressed and depressing. She changed all that. Far too many people have forgotten what it was like pre-Margaret, and many of those with an opinion are rather too young to hold it. Before she came along we had a long line of depressing male plunkers ruling over us. Since she fell, we have had more of them.
God bless Mrs Thatcher and please, God, send us another one!
Posted by: backofanenvelope | Tuesday, 09 April 2013 at 15:01
Yes, BOE, I had forgotten, or buried, my memories of the 1970s. I can't help wondering where we would be if she hadn't chanced along? Dread thought!
Posted by: David Duff | Tuesday, 09 April 2013 at 16:03
"...the il-Lib-non-Dems. I have happily written them off to virtual extinction at the next election but, mea culpa, perhaps the wish is father to the forecast!"
Mind David - just a suggestion - but given your past successes might it not be wise for you to predict a blow-out for the il-Lib-non-Dems?
Posted by: JK | Wednesday, 10 April 2013 at 08:08
Incidentally.
Reason I'm up at this ungodly hour - appears the Norkies are announcing two missiles will be fired - supposedly to "pass" Japan. I'm off to bed quick as I place this but I'm kinda thinking FatEun's taking his chances.
Maybe (hopefully) the first one he lights off will explode on the launchpad and keep him from testing the second. Just about any little "glitch" testing the guidance systems of these new versions is probably close to odds of 80% resulting in a shootdown.
But then - maybe the Norkies will just reckon whatever a "success" (to their home crowd) and I can then return to dreamy slumbers with Sarah.
(You'll not tell Todd will you?)
Posted by: JK | Wednesday, 10 April 2013 at 08:20
Dammit, Sir, Ms. Palin is spoken for and when I have saved up the fare to cross the great divide I shall be collecting her, guns 'n' all!
Posted by: David Duff | Wednesday, 10 April 2013 at 09:26