LibLabCon, as UKIP call them, appear to be in complete disarray. Taking them one at a time this is how it looks from here.
Once reasonably supported, Liberals have disappeared near completely from favour. Whatever support they once had appears to have dissolved without so much as a bubble! No sign whatsoever of any fizz. A half-empty glass of weak lemonade?
Kindly, inoffensive, politicaly correct, and non-judgemental. These are Liberal strengths. Without exception they might make wonderful Samaritan Counsellors. But deal effectively with the threat of ISIS? So often their approach appears namby pamby when strength is required. They preach a sort of Andy Pandy politics. Bless them.
Called to the Headmaster's study there might be some tears of regret following a polite submission - even if they'd done nothing wrong. I wonder, could the intensity of today's world be rather too much for them?
Today's Labour Party? The working man's party? Has a leader with supposed close links to the UK trade union movement. And yet it's probably still a party politically to the right of Edward Heath's Conservative government of 1970 -1974! Is it any wonder traditional Labour voters at last finding their voices, courageously question the real motives of their fathers' and mothers' political heroes?
Whatever they might say publicly, Labour politicians have given the impression of bobbing along in a sort of protective bubble. Perhaps it's a bubble grown out of an unspoken and impenetrable cross-party fraternity encouraged by an elite educational background? Or perhaps it's just the knowledge, or the hope, that LibLabCon will protect themselves before they protect their supporters. Take, for example, the closing of ranks when issues arose concerning Politicians' expenses. Labour voters never dreamed their representatives would get involved in such a thing! But of course they could quite believe it of Conservatives and Liberals! Was this when the Labour Party confirmed suspicions it no longer deserved trust?
Ed Milliband appears to have done his best to restore that trust but it's an uphill struggle not helped by his personal standing in the popularity stakes. And how much longer will it take before he recognises that a majority of Brits appear to want out of the European Union?
Called to the Headmaster's study Labour would certainly put up a fight. Of course Ed should really take some notes to remind him why he'd done nothing wrong. In fact, lad, you might not do better than send in John Prescott - with or without notes I'd back him any day when it comes to a punch-up.
The Tories. What can I say? David Cameron the not-so-Conservative Prime Minister. Head of a failed Coalition. Allowing the Andy Pandy Party to influence his decisions on a needs-must basis. It's his only excuse for what comes over as clouded softly softly judgement. Along with Labour his party no longer commands the trust it once had. For example his promise to hold a Referendum on Europe - in or out - is hollow. Few believe the Conservative Party would take the U.K. out of Europe even if a Referendum required.
Called to the Headmaster's study Dave would no doubt send in a substitute; any substitute. Most likely, of course, it would be poor old Cleggy (after all he understands the "Smithers" world) armed with a carefully drafted "confession" and a plea in mitigation. Meanwhile Dave's on the phone to a few old school friends hoping to sort things out - well at least on a personal level?
Leaving the best to last I read today about the huge leap in success of the UK Independence Party. From here it seems the success is due quite simply to UKIP being many of the things LibLabCon are not.
To be honest, open, frank, courageous, and forthright, as a politician used to court political suicide. Economy with the truth was almost admired! But the British Public, looking for political change for the better, seem attracted to this new quite open and honest approach. It is a dangerous time for UKIP.
LibLabCon and parts of the British Establishment appear to be nervous of a change in the political balance, and may do something about it, Much of this Establishment concern has been not because of self-preservation (although surely some has been) but because of a genuine concern that as a new political party any UKIP Members of Parliament would lack the breadth and depth of experience to contribute to government. Given the defection of Douglas Carswell to UKIP and the strong possibility of many other defectors from the Conservative and Labour parties - and maybe even defection attempts by Liberals closer to the courageous end of the scale - such arguments no longer hold good. UKIP is on the up and up and LibLabCon should treat the competition very seriously. Just look at how close John Bickley (UKIP) came to taking the so-called "safe" Labour seat of Heywood and Middleton.
And so now can we imagine the call of Nigel Farage to the Headmasters study? No doubt, keeping the Head informed, he would go when it was sensible to go and not before. He would know he'd screwed up a bit and was probably down for a good smacking! A knock on the door and wait to be called. Maybe time for a quick ciggie? We're on. Discussion over a cup of tea - O.K. maybe something a bit stronger.
"O.K. I'll come clean. I might have screwed up a bit. Apologies. But just look at the up-side!"
And with no more than a slapped hand he would depart the Head's study with yet another UKIP member. Honest, open, frank, courageous, forthright and himself. People respect that.
Whatever they might say publicly, Labour politicians have given the impression of bobbing along in a sort of protective bubble. Perhaps it's a bubble grown out of an unspoken and impenetrable cross-party fraternity encouraged by an elite educational background? Or perhaps it's just the knowledge, or the hope, that LibLabCon will protect themselves before they protect their supporters. Take, for example, the closing of ranks when issues arose concerning Politicians' expenses. Labour voters never dreamed their representatives would get involved in such a thing! But of course they could quite believe it of Conservatives and Liberals! Was this when the Labour Party confirmed suspicions it no longer deserved trust?
Ed Milliband appears to have done his best to restore that trust but it's an uphill struggle not helped by his personal standing in the popularity stakes. And how much longer will it take before he recognises that a majority of Brits appear to want out of the European Union?
Called to the Headmaster's study Labour would certainly put up a fight. Of course Ed should really take some notes to remind him why he'd done nothing wrong. In fact, lad, you might not do better than send in John Prescott - with or without notes I'd back him any day when it comes to a punch-up.
The Tories. What can I say? David Cameron the not-so-Conservative Prime Minister. Head of a failed Coalition. Allowing the Andy Pandy Party to influence his decisions on a needs-must basis. It's his only excuse for what comes over as clouded softly softly judgement. Along with Labour his party no longer commands the trust it once had. For example his promise to hold a Referendum on Europe - in or out - is hollow. Few believe the Conservative Party would take the U.K. out of Europe even if a Referendum required.
Called to the Headmaster's study Dave would no doubt send in a substitute; any substitute. Most likely, of course, it would be poor old Cleggy (after all he understands the "Smithers" world) armed with a carefully drafted "confession" and a plea in mitigation. Meanwhile Dave's on the phone to a few old school friends hoping to sort things out - well at least on a personal level?
Leaving the best to last I read today about the huge leap in success of the UK Independence Party. From here it seems the success is due quite simply to UKIP being many of the things LibLabCon are not.
To be honest, open, frank, courageous, and forthright, as a politician used to court political suicide. Economy with the truth was almost admired! But the British Public, looking for political change for the better, seem attracted to this new quite open and honest approach. It is a dangerous time for UKIP.
LibLabCon and parts of the British Establishment appear to be nervous of a change in the political balance, and may do something about it, Much of this Establishment concern has been not because of self-preservation (although surely some has been) but because of a genuine concern that as a new political party any UKIP Members of Parliament would lack the breadth and depth of experience to contribute to government. Given the defection of Douglas Carswell to UKIP and the strong possibility of many other defectors from the Conservative and Labour parties - and maybe even defection attempts by Liberals closer to the courageous end of the scale - such arguments no longer hold good. UKIP is on the up and up and LibLabCon should treat the competition very seriously. Just look at how close John Bickley (UKIP) came to taking the so-called "safe" Labour seat of Heywood and Middleton.
And so now can we imagine the call of Nigel Farage to the Headmasters study? No doubt, keeping the Head informed, he would go when it was sensible to go and not before. He would know he'd screwed up a bit and was probably down for a good smacking! A knock on the door and wait to be called. Maybe time for a quick ciggie? We're on. Discussion over a cup of tea - O.K. maybe something a bit stronger.
"O.K. I'll come clean. I might have screwed up a bit. Apologies. But just look at the up-side!"
And with no more than a slapped hand he would depart the Head's study with yet another UKIP member. Honest, open, frank, courageous, forthright and himself. People respect that.
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