This week we witnessed the sad passing of Christopher Hitchens and condolences must be passed to his brother, Peter.
In what is, for him, a relatively short article Peter Hitchens blows apart the myth of 'Cameron the Saviour/Defender/Eurosceptic' of Britain. Repeating what Richard North and I have been 'banging on' about, Peter Hitchens makes the point that there was no veto, there was no treaty. Comparing Cameron to Chamberlain, he makes the point that people want to believe Cameron and want to believe he is a true patriot - but making the even more important point that they shouldn't and that he isn't.
There are those who, understandably, laud Nigel Farage - and to a certain extent so do I. Unfortunately for Farage, the political class have created a situation whereby I am cynical of all politicians and their good intentions, as it seems all they are interested in is words - aka the soundbite. If Farage is different, then he needs to 'come out' and show us that he is different, that he really does believe in independence, not only for the country but for the people. He needs to admit that the present political system is, indeed, 'broken' and that change is required. He needs to admit that the political system has too many 'representatives' both in Parliament and elsewhere. He needs to sell a 'vision' to the nation - something he and his party have failed to do. As Cameron failed to 'kill' a hated opponent and his government, so Farage is failing to 'kill' his enemy which comprises the Lib/Lab/Con and the present 'system' of democracy. But then Farage, being a 'politician', never listens - does he? Why should he when the present 'system' provides a 'home-grown' gravy-train similar to the one in Brussels?
If Farage and Ukip won't, or cannot, awaken the public to the dangers into which we are being led, what chance have we bloggers who know the true facts and therefore understand what is being done to us in the name of 'democracy'? Don't, please, counter this by stating that those, such as I, should 'stand for office - I have had more than enough of 'office' and look to those much younger to fight for what is their future, not mine - I am at a stage in life where my future is far more 'limited' than those younger than I.
An old adage states that, in times of crisis, leaders will appear and that as 'saviours' they will lead us to salvation - well, that is one adage which, presently, appears to be untrue!
Just saying..................
Change of URL
13 years ago
11 comments:
Yes, condolences to Mr P Hitchens for the loss of his brother. I'd expect the same from strangers in the same situation. But, was Mr C Hitchens one of the righteous? No, I don't think so; he was flawed and unfortunately, unless he confessed his sins prior to death, he will not be allowed into the kingdom of God. Shame for him but you makes your choices etc.
jic: I never 'followed' Christopher Hitchens so can't pass any opinion as far as his writing is concerned. He was a self-confessed atheist, that I do know
Mornin' WfW…
You quoted: "An old adage states that, in times of crisis, leaders will appear and that as 'saviours' they will lead us to salvation"
I think that this is a massive problem, there must be something wrong with the human psyche that makes us look to others to save us; a sort of collective laziness…
Don't get me wrong, I am as afflicted as the next man.
The reality is that each of us is sovereign, but for some weird reason, we routinely dispense our sovereignty to the nearest 'second hand car salesman' at the drop of a hat.
Indeed. We need a Champion. I did once think that Farage was that man but it is plainly obvious he is not.
In this Eurosceptic climate such a Champion should have found it easy to win just one local election and UKIP failed dismally.
As much as I personally like Farage, he does rather come across as a cross between a secondhand car spiv and a court jester.
We need a serious contender.
It is sad to see the denigration of Nigel Farage. Of course he is not perfect, who is? but he is the one person who kept the ""OUT" flag flying and is prepared to stand for election waving that flag. Without him I suspect that the current level of anti EU feeling would be much reduced.
I remember a TV debate several years ago about "Europe". Peter Hitchens was selected by the program makers as a voice against "Europe". He sat there giving very intelligent and truthful arguments but unfortunately looked extremely snotty and angry. I suspect he was chosen for precisely those qualities. He was the "swivel eyed loon". Always good to know that the vacuous popular "people" who inhabited our lives at school graduate into adult hood and degrade the quality of argument or debate just as they did at school. This is what we have with debates on the EU. Never mind the arguments, they can be shouted down with soundbites such as 3 million jobs et al.
@Anon
Seriously, I really like the man alot and you're right,he's the only one that speaks up for us. I cheer him on when he brings down those autocrats at the EU. I still put his fabulous TV appearances on my blog!
But has he the wider appeal to get the party elected? Not everyone feels the same about him as I do. After supporting him for a few years now,
I have question why UKIP aren't getting anywhere and why various seriously good politicians have left the party more than a little disgruntled I might add.
r_w: True, but very few of us want to put our heads over the wall and consequently look to others to do that for them.
As chairman of my local branch and since afterwards I have attended many meetings held by NF and it is always EU, EU and more EU - not one word about Ukip's policies nor any detail of those policies.
When chairman unfortunately Cameron thrice declined a public debate on the supposed benefits of the EU - had that taken place NF would have had to start talking and defending Ukips policies.
Sue: Agreed.
Anon: Agreed, I would be the first to give the man his due there. However he has nearly two decades of experience and that should have taught him something by now......
S: Good point.
Farage may be flawed as a leader - can anyone really imagine him as PM? - but UKIP's manifesto offers a lot of carefully thought-out policies, obviously including just how they would manage to extricate the UK from the EU's hateful grip.
EdP: Yes, they do have policies, but where is the 'planned' exit? Treaties to be renegotiated? Which comes first exit and application for membership of the EEA, or vice versa? Building a manufacturing base? Implementation of true direct democracy? Reducing the numbers of those 'in government'?
As I have stated until I am blue in the face, until you sell your policies you don't get elected - and when have Ukip tried to sell their policies? All they do is bang on about how the EU is 'bad'. Surely it is logical to sell your policies and then point out that to implement them extrication from the EU is a prerequisite? Cart and Horse?
That Farage projects no gravitas where potentiality for PM is concerned is agreed - in spades....
WfW,
NF is great as far as he goes, but that's not far enough and he can't or won't go any further.
It's as if he sees his role purely as being permanently at the head of an EU protest faction but one that can't take the extra steps to turn protest into action as a credible political party in Westminster.
UKIP have too much invested in the EU one way or another.
Post a Comment