I missed out on the Christmas and Hannukah wishes but ought to be in time with the new year ones. It will be our turn to have an election next year (May, I am still saying despite the media hoopla around the word March). It is likely to be an interesting one: we have a government that is more disliked than any I can recall and yet we also have an opposition that just cannot get the support. We also have an electorate that has been seriously angered by all main-stream politicians and has realized, if somewhat hazily, that as long as we are in the EU it makes precious little difference who one wants for. In the last three elections turn-out was extremely low. We do not know what will happen next year. Another low turn-out? Rising vote for the smaller parties like UKIP? It can happen.
The Conservatives are still likely to come back with more seats than any other party but not necessarily with an overall majority. And so what if they do get into government. Remember what Hilaire Belloc wrote about another election?
The accursed power which stands on Privilege
(And goes with Women, and Champagne, and Bridge)
Broke – and Democracy resumed her reign:
(Which goes with Bridge, and Women and Champagne).
Happy New Year to all.
Happy new Year, Helen!
PS:
As the song says:
‘You can check-out any time you like,
But you can never leave!’
;-)
Actually, a government with sufficient will can make a big difference inside the EU. But of course, absent that will, it makes no difference if you are in or out.
If I were looking for help in resisting the decline, I would not be happy at having to rely on Cameron. He looks pretty wet to me but anything, of course, is better than Brown.
Thanks, Helen. All the best to you and to all of our friends in Britain and Europe (Hi, Ralf!). Let’s hope that 2010 turns out to be a year for the people.
Hi yourself, Jonathan!
And of course, also all the best to you and our friends in the US.
Being a nice person, Ralf, I shall not argue that making or not making a difference in the EU is not the same as having your own democratic, accountable, constitutionally acceptable government. I really shan’t. ;) Prosit Neujahr.