It’s not politics that I’m fed up with, it’s the politicians and they way they are reported. Whether at Westminster or Cardiff, and whichever party they purport to belong to, what characterises the current class of elected representatives is the remorseless inanity of their utterances, their soundbites brimming with insincerity, and above all, their near total refusal to actually listen to what the electorate is actually telling them.
Our current crop of politicians seem to have adopted a set idea of what they think the people want to hear and endlessly repeat the same set of messages aimed at some mythological ‘average voter’, in the hope of securing their election or re-election. In terms of their behaviour in the media, there appears to be little to distinguish between them, all are engaged in petty point-scoring, all claim to have a unique solution to the nation’s woes, and all hope that by tinkering at the edges of their current portfolio of policy statements they will convince us of their radical credentials and superlative ability. It is the epitome of the triumph of style over substance.
It has been said before, many times, that in this age dominated by instant news and 24/7 television, only those who have a television presence and are briefly articulate have any chance of securing election. Regrettably, this seems to result in a profoundly superficial analysis of issues followed by trite commentary and vague promises. Debates become shouting matches and direct questions are evaded. Collectively, our politicians appear shallow and insincere. Party leaders seem to be compelled to dream up and announce a continuous series of policy “initiatives” or “announcements”, the only purpose of which seems to be either to feed the insatiable demands of 24 hour news, or to distract the public from their gaff of the previous day.
Or am I doing our politicians an injustice here? Could it be that they are simply responding to the rigid requirements of TV and radio news producers and journalists? Or perhaps there is some devilish compact between the politicians and the news media producers whereby both are constrained by the inflexibility of the programme schedulers?
Whoever it is, the politicians or the media people, or even their mutual dependence, they have succeeded in dumbing down the serious business of politics, reducing it to a succession of trivial sparring bouts where there is no proper treatment of important issues, no in-depth analysis and no searching debate. The only criterion that seems to matter is that the perceived, very short attention span of the average viewer or listener must never be challenged. The consequence of all this is that politicians of parties such as the BNP and UKIP have come to be regarded as serious players rather than the shallow propagandists that they really are. These people can get away with making outrageous statements having a headline-grabbing impact and there is never an opportunity for the less extreme to demolish these statements with reasoned argument.
Thursday, 9 July 2009
Monday, 6 July 2009
Don't Mention 'Europe'!
Reflecting on the European Parliamentary elections a month on, I am wondering who now speaks up for Europe and why was the election fought on all sorts of issues other than Europe?
It is, perhaps, because of the pernicious influence of the foreign-owned, Conservative supporting British press, that almost every mainstream political party is either profoundly Euro-sceptic or unwilling to raise their heads above the parapet in support of building a united Europe. Now before you Liberal Democrats protest that you are the only avowedly pro-European Union party, think about the recent election campaign – what were the issues that you campaigned on? On the Liberal Democrat leaflet that I received, council tax, street lighting and county council finances loomed much larger than anything to do with Europe. I was reminded of the famous Fawlty Towers sketch “Don’t mention the War!” The recent European campaign seemed to be about anything other than issues to do with Europe. I am now even more convinced that Britain’s continued half-hearted membership of the European Union is damaging to both the cause of European unity and the interests of the other member states.
“Ten or even five years ago, the EU was a power on the rise. It was integrating economically, launching its own currency, expanding geographically and passing new treaties that would create stronger institutions. But now, although the EU is respected for its prosperity and political stability, it no longer looks like a power in the making. If anything it is slipping backwards.”
This was Charles Grant, Director of the Centre for European Reform writing in the current issue of Prospect. Much of the responsibility for this stagnation has to be laid at the door of the British establishment, the politicians, the vacillating Labour administration and the Conservative-leaning, Euro-sceptic press. Now we face a real nightmare, the prospect of Tony Blair, who when in office did absolutely nothing to put Britain at the centre of Europe, as a possible European Union President and at the same time, the horror of David Cameron and his anti-European cronies in government at Westminster. The leaders of the remaining 26 EU member states need this combination like a hole in the head.
The British political establishment now needs to do the honourable thing – it need to decide, once and for all, whether it is willing to commit Britain wholeheartedly to the European project. If they have any doubt at all, then they must do the honourable thing, they must take Britain out of Europe and allow those countries who still believe in a united Europe to get on with creating a strong and united entity which is capable of holding its own in an increasingly globalised world.
One thing is clear, Britain on its own may survive in the short term as the US poodle, but in the long run Britain is too small and isolated to be anything other than a bit player on the world stage. It’s about time we faced up to the fact that the Empire has long since gone, and the special relationship will last only as long as the US finds it useful. To pretend that this is not the case is nothing other than deeply delusional.
It is, perhaps, because of the pernicious influence of the foreign-owned, Conservative supporting British press, that almost every mainstream political party is either profoundly Euro-sceptic or unwilling to raise their heads above the parapet in support of building a united Europe. Now before you Liberal Democrats protest that you are the only avowedly pro-European Union party, think about the recent election campaign – what were the issues that you campaigned on? On the Liberal Democrat leaflet that I received, council tax, street lighting and county council finances loomed much larger than anything to do with Europe. I was reminded of the famous Fawlty Towers sketch “Don’t mention the War!” The recent European campaign seemed to be about anything other than issues to do with Europe. I am now even more convinced that Britain’s continued half-hearted membership of the European Union is damaging to both the cause of European unity and the interests of the other member states.
“Ten or even five years ago, the EU was a power on the rise. It was integrating economically, launching its own currency, expanding geographically and passing new treaties that would create stronger institutions. But now, although the EU is respected for its prosperity and political stability, it no longer looks like a power in the making. If anything it is slipping backwards.”
This was Charles Grant, Director of the Centre for European Reform writing in the current issue of Prospect. Much of the responsibility for this stagnation has to be laid at the door of the British establishment, the politicians, the vacillating Labour administration and the Conservative-leaning, Euro-sceptic press. Now we face a real nightmare, the prospect of Tony Blair, who when in office did absolutely nothing to put Britain at the centre of Europe, as a possible European Union President and at the same time, the horror of David Cameron and his anti-European cronies in government at Westminster. The leaders of the remaining 26 EU member states need this combination like a hole in the head.
The British political establishment now needs to do the honourable thing – it need to decide, once and for all, whether it is willing to commit Britain wholeheartedly to the European project. If they have any doubt at all, then they must do the honourable thing, they must take Britain out of Europe and allow those countries who still believe in a united Europe to get on with creating a strong and united entity which is capable of holding its own in an increasingly globalised world.
One thing is clear, Britain on its own may survive in the short term as the US poodle, but in the long run Britain is too small and isolated to be anything other than a bit player on the world stage. It’s about time we faced up to the fact that the Empire has long since gone, and the special relationship will last only as long as the US finds it useful. To pretend that this is not the case is nothing other than deeply delusional.
Thursday, 2 July 2009
What Are Your Cultural References?
A couple of years ago I was listening to a radio debate between two academics, one might have been John Mullan, professor of English at UCL, on the subject of current difficulties surrounding the teaching of English at university level.
The essence of the debate was that, say thirty years ago, lecturers in English could assume that their students had a reasonable working knowledge of The Bible and also of Greek mythology when they entered university. As a consequence, references to these works by teachers in the course of teaching English could be relied upon to be understood by all students without any difficulty at all.
Nowadays however, no such assumption can be made. Bright students enrolling on English Literature courses in the 21st century may never have read the Bible either as a spiritual text or as a piece of literature. Moreover, it would appear that as the teaching of Latin and Greek has almost completely disappeared from the curriculum of state schools and with their demise, a whole raft of traditional cultural references such as the siege of Troy and Caesar’s Gallic Wars is also absent from the minds of most university entrants. So many university arts faculties are seemingly having to provide introductory courses covering the Bible, as literature of course, and ancient myth so that students are given some notion of the cultural context of their subject specialisms.
So what are the relevant cultural references for young people today? I would guess that popular music predominates, just look at the news and comment coverage given to the death of Michael Jackson throughout the British press. Sport or rather sporting achievement also seems to loom large in the popular psyche of the young. I would guess that there are few who know nothing of the exploits of Andy Murray, and in Wales especially, most young people will have some idea of the exploits of the British Lions. And the England Women’s Cricket Team? Possibly. Reality TV programmes and their participants also seem to be important cultural identifiers for the young, as do soap operas and their characters. But what else? What of art, poetry, or prose? Are these considered key indicators of modern culture?
I ask these questions because as I get older, I am becoming increasingly bemused by the trivia I know and others don’t, and by what others know and I don’t. So much so that I sometimes question whether or not I am living in the same country as my friends and acquaintances, let alone the same planet. So there seems to be a generational gap with regard to cultural referencing. Or am I simply ageing, and not even gracefully?
The essence of the debate was that, say thirty years ago, lecturers in English could assume that their students had a reasonable working knowledge of The Bible and also of Greek mythology when they entered university. As a consequence, references to these works by teachers in the course of teaching English could be relied upon to be understood by all students without any difficulty at all.
Nowadays however, no such assumption can be made. Bright students enrolling on English Literature courses in the 21st century may never have read the Bible either as a spiritual text or as a piece of literature. Moreover, it would appear that as the teaching of Latin and Greek has almost completely disappeared from the curriculum of state schools and with their demise, a whole raft of traditional cultural references such as the siege of Troy and Caesar’s Gallic Wars is also absent from the minds of most university entrants. So many university arts faculties are seemingly having to provide introductory courses covering the Bible, as literature of course, and ancient myth so that students are given some notion of the cultural context of their subject specialisms.
So what are the relevant cultural references for young people today? I would guess that popular music predominates, just look at the news and comment coverage given to the death of Michael Jackson throughout the British press. Sport or rather sporting achievement also seems to loom large in the popular psyche of the young. I would guess that there are few who know nothing of the exploits of Andy Murray, and in Wales especially, most young people will have some idea of the exploits of the British Lions. And the England Women’s Cricket Team? Possibly. Reality TV programmes and their participants also seem to be important cultural identifiers for the young, as do soap operas and their characters. But what else? What of art, poetry, or prose? Are these considered key indicators of modern culture?
I ask these questions because as I get older, I am becoming increasingly bemused by the trivia I know and others don’t, and by what others know and I don’t. So much so that I sometimes question whether or not I am living in the same country as my friends and acquaintances, let alone the same planet. So there seems to be a generational gap with regard to cultural referencing. Or am I simply ageing, and not even gracefully?
Wednesday, 1 July 2009
An Auspicious Day
Today is not only my wife’s birthday, but it is also the day Sweden assumes the presidency of the European Union. After an rather undistinguished six months under the presidency of the Czech Republic, many of us are looking forward to a busier and more positive six months under the Swedes and are hoping for a full ratification of the Lisbon Treaty and real progress on climate change at the very least.
Now the Conservatives have relegated themselves to the outer fringes of the European Parliament, they will be effectively ignored by the big players in Europe as they are bound to become embroiled in a cat fight with UKIP on which of them is the ‘real opposition’ in the Parliament.
If, like me, you have Euro-anorak tendencies, you can follow the Swedish Presidency on this site. Go on, you know you want to! Check it out, no-one will know.
Oh, and by the way, Happy Birthday Julie, I won't let on how old you are - yet
Now the Conservatives have relegated themselves to the outer fringes of the European Parliament, they will be effectively ignored by the big players in Europe as they are bound to become embroiled in a cat fight with UKIP on which of them is the ‘real opposition’ in the Parliament.
If, like me, you have Euro-anorak tendencies, you can follow the Swedish Presidency on this site. Go on, you know you want to! Check it out, no-one will know.
Oh, and by the way, Happy Birthday Julie, I won't let on how old you are - yet
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Curiouser And Curiouser
Rumours abound in our little town that County Councillor Gary Price is throwing his hat in the ring for the vacant seat on Disserth & Trecoed Community Council. Whether or not he will also contest his old seat of Llandrindod East on Llandrindod Wells Town Council is not yet known.
Mind you, this could all be a smokescreen dreamt up by his mentor, Harold Nicholls, in accordance with some cunning plan, the detail and purpose of which may become clearer when the elections are eventually held.
I suppose it is possible that, having upset the majority of town councillors, Gary moves on to cause a similar bad feeling on the neighbouring community council. We can only wait to see if the Nicholls/Price cunning plan is any more successful than any of Baldric’s cunning plans.
Mind you, this could all be a smokescreen dreamt up by his mentor, Harold Nicholls, in accordance with some cunning plan, the detail and purpose of which may become clearer when the elections are eventually held.
I suppose it is possible that, having upset the majority of town councillors, Gary moves on to cause a similar bad feeling on the neighbouring community council. We can only wait to see if the Nicholls/Price cunning plan is any more successful than any of Baldric’s cunning plans.
Saturday, 20 June 2009
Warning: The Tory European Group May Contain Nuts
It does indeed look as though David Cameron is giving up the Conservatives' traditional position on the centre right of the political spectrum in favour of a bid to lead the ultra right in Europe. His brief flirtation as a moderniser of the centre appears to be over, and we are likely to get confirmation next week of those whom the Conservatives are going to align themselves in the European Parliament.
This article in today’s Independent speculates on who the Tories are in negotiations with, and it does n lot bode well for British influence in matters European. Indeed, the Tories look set to become an even bigger laughing stock. They may even end up in alliance with the stars of Italian politics, the Northern League. They cannot be serious – can they?
This is such a serious misjudgement on Cameron’s part that it is likely to seriously damage his party’s chances at the next General Election. Who would be prepared to trust him after such a gross error of judgement?
This article in today’s Independent speculates on who the Tories are in negotiations with, and it does n lot bode well for British influence in matters European. Indeed, the Tories look set to become an even bigger laughing stock. They may even end up in alliance with the stars of Italian politics, the Northern League. They cannot be serious – can they?
This is such a serious misjudgement on Cameron’s part that it is likely to seriously damage his party’s chances at the next General Election. Who would be prepared to trust him after such a gross error of judgement?
Friday, 19 June 2009
The Late Ralf Dahrendorf - A Great European
Today’s Guardian carries the obituary of a truly great European, Ralf Dahrendorf. German born, naturalised Briton and eventually a Life Peer, but above all else – a European. Of him it can be said with some justification that he led a full life. Always an academic and public intellectual, and variously a politician in both Germany and Britain, even a European Commissioner.
Perhaps his greatest contribution to public life was as the leader of two of Britain’s most respected university institutions – the London School of Economics and St Anthony’s College, Oxford. This work, together with his other professorships around the world, made him a hugely influential figure in modern social thinking.
Others far more qualified than me are paying fuller tributes in the press around the world. I would simply note his passing with immense regret. He was, for me, not only a great man but the epitome of the European ideal.
Perhaps his greatest contribution to public life was as the leader of two of Britain’s most respected university institutions – the London School of Economics and St Anthony’s College, Oxford. This work, together with his other professorships around the world, made him a hugely influential figure in modern social thinking.
Others far more qualified than me are paying fuller tributes in the press around the world. I would simply note his passing with immense regret. He was, for me, not only a great man but the epitome of the European ideal.
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