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talkpoliticsI've been quiet about the new coalition in the UK.
Thus far it seems that a lot of bad stuff isn't going to happen: no ID cards, and no expansion of Heathrow and Stanstead.
Also it is true that a lot of good stuff (for example London's infrastructure, social services etc) is going to fall away too. Obviously, we'll lose most of Crossrail.
Now it appears that the Tories' positions on just about everything have been attenuated by the Libdems and, as a party they are beginning to resemble the Tory party of old: a broad church united behind a 'One-Nation' Tory leader and whip.
This is unforeseen. They could turn themselves into the natural party of government, mainly because most Englishfolk are naturally inclined to vote for One-Nation-Toryism: in its best form it is socially cohesive, and accepting of the established order, which is a difficult balancing act. The coalition seems to represent the sort of One-Nation-Toryism espoused by Macmillan (another Old Etonian - they just get everywhere, always under our feet, dammit) and unseen since the Thatcherite/Josephite lurch to the right in the late 70's.
My bet is the coalition will never run the course. A few of the snarling loonies from the rightwing edge will shout their mouths off, or protest in some other way, about not being allowed to cut child benefits enough, or not being unpleasant enough to immigrants, or some such. Or the left of the LibDems will trample over too many Tory shibboleths before splitting the LibDems, redefining the two-party system overnight.
We'll see, but thus far how is the audience reacting?
Thus far it seems that a lot of bad stuff isn't going to happen: no ID cards, and no expansion of Heathrow and Stanstead.
Also it is true that a lot of good stuff (for example London's infrastructure, social services etc) is going to fall away too. Obviously, we'll lose most of Crossrail.
Now it appears that the Tories' positions on just about everything have been attenuated by the Libdems and, as a party they are beginning to resemble the Tory party of old: a broad church united behind a 'One-Nation' Tory leader and whip.
This is unforeseen. They could turn themselves into the natural party of government, mainly because most Englishfolk are naturally inclined to vote for One-Nation-Toryism: in its best form it is socially cohesive, and accepting of the established order, which is a difficult balancing act. The coalition seems to represent the sort of One-Nation-Toryism espoused by Macmillan (another Old Etonian - they just get everywhere, always under our feet, dammit) and unseen since the Thatcherite/Josephite lurch to the right in the late 70's.
My bet is the coalition will never run the course. A few of the snarling loonies from the rightwing edge will shout their mouths off, or protest in some other way, about not being allowed to cut child benefits enough, or not being unpleasant enough to immigrants, or some such. Or the left of the LibDems will trample over too many Tory shibboleths before splitting the LibDems, redefining the two-party system overnight.
We'll see, but thus far how is the audience reacting?
(no subject)
Date: 26/5/10 22:44 (UTC)i think the libdems will win the next general election.
(no subject)
Date: 27/5/10 07:47 (UTC)I don't see how this tragic event has any relevance to the new coalition government.
How the folk of britain feel about it, we shall have to wait and see, but there are already rumblings for the Tory back benches, as you predicted.
Popular and somewhet informed opinion is that if Dave holds his nerve and the Whips Office do their job, these back benchers do not really want another election too soon. better to stand up to them now than later on when they feel like going to the country again.