Comments on: Britain’s race to reflate the ‘big idea’?

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 23:00:06 +0000

I think the lack of a “big idea” (or a simple vision of “what they are for”) applies even more to the Lib Dems – and is why they don’t seem to be able to capture the popular imagination as anything other than a destination for a protest vote. The Tories are the only philosophical alternative, so long as the centre party is seen as Tory (or Labour) “lite”.

Tories, meanwhile, still seem to waver between old tory values of personal freedom and responsibility and less government interference on the one hand, and thatcherite tax cuts, slashing the NHS, and being nasty to foreigners on the other.

The worst excesses of Thatcherism are still casting their shadow over the political landscape, and making many voters, who want to desert New Labour, decidedly nervous.

By: Fanny

Fanny — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 19:50:48 +0000

But seriously, I take issue with Will Hutton’s take on Blair’s core creed as being “an apologist for American and Israeli might, the least progressive position of all.”

This is baloney. Last night Martin Amis reminded us that in the Middle East the Israelis are the progressive ones, whereas the Arabs and other Muslim states “took a left turn” towards medievalism.

If only Blair were consistent but he’s not. He blinks too often in the face of encroaching medievalism.

By: Fanny

Fanny — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 19:25:40 +0000

Not sure what “intellectual bottom” means. Smart ass?

By: Slugger O'Toole Admin

Slugger O'Toole Admin — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 19:22:16 +0000

Not sure that resonates with the idea of serious ‘intellectual bottom’.

By: Fanny

Fanny — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 19:01:33 +0000

Yes, they need something like William Hague’s “Save the Pound” campaign. While it didn’t save the Tories (and left us stranded in Euroland) it was catchy, and generated more than one excellent Rory Bremner sketch.