So Michael Howard, leader of the Tories, has published a list of his ‘beliefs’ that will inform Conservative policy in the run up to the next election. Nice to see that the Thatcherite cult of individuality is still alive and well. Howard’s statements reveal a sickening obsession with people’s ‘freedom to do well’, and no sense of our corporate responsibility for the poor, marginalised, homeless, sick and under-priviledged. All his ‘beliefs’ are about the rights of the rich and so-called-free to stay that way, with no solid commitment to building a society of inter-dependence. What a loser…
Here’s his self obsessed list in full –
“I believe it is natural for men and women to want health, wealth and happiness for their families and themselves
I believe it is the duty of every politician to serve the people by removing the obstacles in the way of these ambitions
I believe people are most likely to be happy when they are masters of their own lives, when they are not nannied or over-governed
I believe that the people should be big. That the state should be small
I believe red tape, bureaucracy, regulations, inspectorates, commissions, quangos, ‘czars’, ‘units’ and ‘targets’ came to help and protect us, but now we need protection from them. Armies of interferers don’t contribute to human happiness
I believe that people must have every opportunity to fulfil their potential
I believe there is no freedom without responsibility. It is our duty to look after those who cannot help themselves
I believe in equality of opportunity. Injustice makes us angry
I believe every parent wants their child to have a better education than they had
I believe every child wants security for their parents in their old age
I do not believe that one person’s poverty is caused by another’s wealth
I do not believe that one person’s ignorance is caused by another’s knowledge and education
I do not believe that one person’s sickness is made worse by another’s health
I believe the British people are only happy when they are free
I believe that Britain should defend her freedom at any time, against all comers, however mighty
I believe that by good fortune, hard work, natural talent and rich diversity, these islands are home to a great people with a noble past and exciting future.
I am happy to be their servant. ”
What a tosser.
So with Socialism DOA, and a Conservative party that seems hell-bent on dragging us back into the political dark ages of Thatcherite hell, the Lib Dems are our only hope. This has to be their best chance at getting somewhere in parliment since the Liberal hey-day in the early 1900s.
Maybe it’s no coincidence that on the day that Michael Douglas’ ‘Greed Is Good’ speech in the movie ‘Wall Street’ is voted one of the all time top 10 movie quotes, the Conservatives write a longwinded speech to much the same effect – fuck the poor, we’ve got a right to make millions without contributing our share.
Thanks Michael Howard, you’ve just given Charles Kennedy an open goal. Let’s hope he’s got his boots on.
Soundtrack – Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite – what a great record this is!!