Tuesday, 24 September 2024
Plus ça change…
There is a handsome legislative chamber attached to the premises from which — so the antiquarians tell us — the House of Commons took its name. But it is not usual now for the members to sit in the legislative chamber as the legislation is now all done outside, either at the home of Mr. Lloyd George, or at the National Liberal Club, or at one or other of the newspaper offices. The House, however, is called together at very frequent intervals to give it an opportunity of hearing the latest legislation and allowing the members to indulge in cheers, sighs, groans, votes and other expressions of vitality.
Stephen Leacock - My Discovery of England (1922)
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4 comments:
Yes, I believe it was Keynes who said that they built banks out of marble and mahogany so people would think they actually kept the money there. In the same way, we have a solemn pantomime involving historic figures to make us think that Parliament is important.
As someone said on Tim Worstall's blog yesterday, the current Labour government appear to be politically inept and lacking in empathy. But that's because they don't need to pretend, given the fragmented state of any opposition. They are just pushing forward: rewarding donors, settling scores, making irrevocable changes to the constitution and to industry, and ensuring that their 3rd. World voter base is sufficiently replenished. Internal fighting aside, they've got five years to do what they want, and more if they can destroy democracy at a faster rate.
Sam - it's a strange situation where the best we can hope for is that Labour party plans don't count for much because the machinery which really runs things will go its own way whatever they promise to do.
I think that is the best we can hope for apart from major infighting within the Labour party which becomes so virulent that nothing gets done.
It's even possible that the machinery which really runs things is more benign than the Labour party because it needs working taxpayers and customers. It's also possible that disaster is round the corner.
It’s all so real, AKH, so genuine, so uncontrived.
James - and all done without the slightest hint of acting talent.
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