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Written by Austin Mitchell
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29 June 2007 |
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The Dawn of Socialism: Wed 24 June Cromwell takes over from Charles I
All’s for the best with the best of possible, Gordon. Bliss is it in this dawn to be middle aged. But not old. Excellent speeches from Gordon and Harriet, both well judged for the occasion and all crammed with attractive policies. No indication of how we can achieve them. Indeed, why haven’t we already?
Exactly what we wanted to hear. Yet how representative are we? People of principle, conscience, indeed, soul, even a touch of socialism, but also older, more serious and living in a different (and more comfortable) world.
Who’s interested outside us? The political class: perhaps two million. The vaguely interested fringe. Perhaps five. And – er - that’s it. If it reaches the rest it does so by image, gossip, rumour and all the uncontrollable, unmanageable eddies and ripples. It’ll do for now and for us. But everything ultimately depends on how well the economy does. Ironsides for more dosh.
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We council house rebels have suddenly become prophets. Proposals which ministers have decried for 10 years – build council houses – let councils keep their money – initiate a big drive for public rented housing with a minister and cabinet to push it through.
It’s wonderful to be right. Sadly the iron law politics is that those who are right must die when their ideas are accepted.
Still, hope springs eternal. After Wednesday I’ll be waiting for the phone not to ring.
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I didn’t go to the New Dawn in Manchester. £60 is too much. I couldn’t even send a tape recording of my applause: septic hand.
Instead I went to something more important: Mayoral Sunday in Grimsby: Autrtemps autre murrh we say |
