Although
I'm a Lefty (a libertarian one, mind), I do like Theresa May. She has very
British teeth; a pleasing mix of yellow, grey and black. They are so impressive she deserves a cameo role as a
pop-up Brit on Family Guy.
More importantly, her smile has a worked a kind of magic in recent times as she's outlined bits of her Brexit strategy. In particular her elegant threat to get tough on trade if the EU doesn’t play nicely in negotiations has been accompanied by warning flashes of her fangs.
As for her recent shoulder-heaving guffaws during Prime Minister's Questions ... that was spectacular, and marked her out as a winner, frankly.
Politics sure are
interesting and entertaining just now – as well as scary. With Trump and all
his ramifications, plus Brexit, it’s good to see the world’s two leading
English-speaking nations causing such shock waves. And I must confess to having
enjoyed all the discomfort and huffing and puffing of the snooty, and quite
intolerant, left-liberal types in this country over what’s been happening to
politics.
Regarding President Trump, who knows what plotting is going on behind
closed doors across the pond? Trump has colourfully, publicly and emphatically criticised
the US intelligence agencies. Given his new job, that’s a potential
game-changer.
But let’s ignore
all the procedural stuff for now; all the claims and denials about Trump; his
intemperate tweets; and his spats with various luvvies and the media. What will,
sooner or later, finish him is the belief held by many sane, morally-upright
and intelligent people in the USA that The Donald lacks the personal dignity
and temperament to be President. It’s a view shared by many senior and experienced
people in politics, the law, and the secret services.
Barack Obama has
reminded millions of people in the recent past of just how important dignity,
eloquence and personal grace are in a leader.
Having Trump as President is fraught with instability and danger, of course, especially with so much bubbling potential for armed conflict – on Europe’s Baltic borders, in the South China Sea and in the Middle East.
Just where is the world heading politically? It's an important question.
Politics is
vital for the survival of humanity. Wild beasts can get by without politics,
and so can angels, but mankind cannot. Politics stops us ripping each other
apart – though it hasn’t exactly seemed like that in recent times.
How politics has
traditionally worked in the West is by using various forms of representative
liberal democracy to deliver freedom under the law within nations to citizens.
But, quite apart
from the Trump effect, many people feel that model is no longer fit for purpose.
We live in a globalised world made politically and socially dysfunctional by
terrorism, a rise in tyrannical leaders, massive migration, rampant capitalism,
growing inequalities and climate change.
On our own
shores, we face great uncertainties in the Brexit negotiations. It will take
more than the power of Theresa May’s smile to resolve everything. It isn’t even
clear if the European Union will exist for much longer in its current forms and
levels – if right-wingers do well in elections later this year within member
nations.
Everywhere, the
people, the voters, are unhappy. Not just with the old-fashioned system of ’democratic’
politics which allows each person just one tiny moment of freedom every few
years to vote in elections. The rest of the time, certainly for most people in
West, the way we live and work results in profound alienation. Why should most
people be expected to travel to a workplace five-days-a-week just to survive? Why
are we over-producing and over-consuming in such a way? Why are there so many
street beggars and rough sleepers?
I’m not sure
what system exactly can replace the
old politics but I feel we need to focus on: working for the common good;
ensuring everyone gets enough cultural and family time; and recognising the
essential dignity of all human beings
across the world
The situation is
so worrying that I’m considering making a modest contribution to getting us all
out if this mess by founding a new political movement – the Humane,
Intelligent, Libertarian Left (HILL). Anyone up for the ascent?
