Yes, Goodwin is now a paid-up member of Reform, and I think Farage is taking advice from him in exchange for power and influence within the party and the opportunity to shape policy. Farage is attempting, for example, to appeal to moderate immigrant communities and to downplay race; and he's also trying to develop a range of policies which address those 2universal" issues like the cost of living.
In a way, it's good news, as Goodwin is a very effective speaker and brings much needed intellect to Reform. But along with the nonsense over Lowe's expulsion, I hope it doesn't mean they are becoming more mainstream. Look where that got us!
Quite so. We've had 50 - 60 years of a cosy Elite, two cheeks of the same arse as they say. Democracy, as defined by the Establishment has been reduced to a ritualised Japanese Noh play - from Wikipedia:
"Noh integrates masks, costumes and various props in a dance-based performance, requiring highly trained actors and musicians. Emotions are primarily conveyed by stylized conventional gestures while the iconic masks represent specific roles such as ghosts, women, deities, and demons."
Sound like our Parliament at Prime Ministers Question's? No wonder people are looking for something more practical and less fantastical.
Sam - I have similar doubts. Going for a wider appeal is likely to dilute important principles as a trade-off for power on the basis that some influence is better than none. As you say - look where that got us!
DJ - yes, the Noh play needs to come to an end and maybe practical issues will do that, but vested interests run deep.
Anon - you may be right. Trends could become more benign, but there are some major demographic and cultural issues which could still be tackled rationally, but can't be fixed as they might have been fixed a few decades ago.
5 comments:
Yes, Goodwin is now a paid-up member of Reform, and I think Farage is taking advice from him in exchange for power and influence within the party and the opportunity to shape policy. Farage is attempting, for example, to appeal to moderate immigrant communities and to downplay race; and he's also trying to develop a range of policies which address those 2universal" issues like the cost of living.
In a way, it's good news, as Goodwin is a very effective speaker and brings much needed intellect to Reform. But along with the nonsense over Lowe's expulsion, I hope it doesn't mean they are becoming more mainstream. Look where that got us!
Quite so. We've had 50 - 60 years of a cosy Elite, two cheeks of the same arse as they say. Democracy, as defined by the Establishment has been reduced to a ritualised Japanese Noh play - from Wikipedia:
"Noh integrates masks, costumes and various props in a dance-based performance, requiring highly trained actors and musicians. Emotions are primarily conveyed by stylized conventional gestures while the iconic masks represent specific roles such as ghosts, women, deities, and demons."
Sound like our Parliament at Prime Ministers Question's? No wonder people are looking for something more practical and less fantastical.
Sam - I have similar doubts. Going for a wider appeal is likely to dilute important principles as a trade-off for power on the basis that some influence is better than none. As you say - look where that got us!
DJ - yes, the Noh play needs to come to an end and maybe practical issues will do that, but vested interests run deep.
Reform: too little, too late. As if taking the Conservative party back 35 years and setting it on the right track would do the trick.
Anon - you may be right. Trends could become more benign, but there are some major demographic and cultural issues which could still be tackled rationally, but can't be fixed as they might have been fixed a few decades ago.
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