I enjoyed that. Nothing sets me up for the weekend better than reading about how hopeless Labour’s situation is.
It’s also great to see that Lord Lucan is now writing for UnHerd.
I’m also impressed with this chap’s moustaches – don’t see enough of them these days.
Dustin Needle
2 years ago
Labour is basically two tribute bands fighting over the name, with an incompatible conservative religious grouping bolted on as it is to the mutual advantage of all parties. Ian Barton points out below that you may as well go with Blair-ism as the least unelectable of the 3 options.
But isn’t Blair the guy who got bottled off stage at the Women’s Institute 20 years ago? Tobias helpfully reminds us of his achievements since, as others have pointed out. Even the Good Friday Agreement has turned into a pair of ruddy handcuffs.
Blairites dominate much of our social discourse through the media, devolved functions, charities, in fact anywhere that public money can be found in large amounts. They even managed to get a dancing bear on Strictly. Yet it hasn’t won or successfully influenced a democratic vote since 2005.
His “Not For Profit” (arf) Foundation by it’s own words claims to be embedded in governments the world over. CoVid-19, European Union – there is seemingly no end to the scope of activities this former “Faith” Foundation can perform. 100 staff in Africa alone – I will not speculate on where the money comes from to fund that indulgence, it may depress me further.
Here’s an idea – maybe if the UK had a break from Blair’s politics and media management for a decade or so, we might begin to get nostalgic for it?
I voted for the charlatan in 1997 and view that whole period now as disastrous for the future of the UK and my children. Also a massive kick in the teeth for parents/grandparents that lived and fought, then experienced actual austerity to get the country back on it’s feet. They considered themselves the lucky ones – they survived.
The US/UK special arrangement descended to “Bush’s poodle” on to Obama’s “back of the queue” in less than 15 years via death, disfigurement, long-term disability, ill-equipped troops – an incalculable waste of time and money at terrible human cost; Exhibit A – Afghanistan 2021.
So no, I won’t be going back to it. But thanks for the offer.
David McDowell
2 years ago
Good analysis. The resort to abstract nouns is the big giveaway that he has no plan and no objectives.
Cheryl Jones
2 years ago
Spot on analysis. I voted for Blair twice. But the more I look back at what he actually did and realise the legacy of it, I am horrified by my naive youthful stupidity.
There are good arguments for raising the voting age, or perhaps restoring the property-ownership qualification.
Cheryl Jones
2 years ago
It’s when I miss Thatcher the most.
Ian Barton
2 years ago
For all his faults, Starmer is right on this one.
As Peter Mandelson likes to recant:
”Lost,Lost,Lost, Blair,Blair, Blair, Lost,Lost,Lost,Lost”
Any idiot can have principles that will never result in change … and maybe that is the very definition of idiocy …
Last edited 2 years ago by Ian Barton
tony deakin
2 years ago
RE: New Labour’s ”shift the dial of the country” remit.
More like it shafting it over when considering the list of long-term intractable problems highlighted above!
I enjoyed that. Nothing sets me up for the weekend better than reading about how hopeless Labour’s situation is.
It’s also great to see that Lord Lucan is now writing for UnHerd.
I’m also impressed with this chap’s moustaches – don’t see enough of them these days.
Labour is basically two tribute bands fighting over the name, with an incompatible conservative religious grouping bolted on as it is to the mutual advantage of all parties. Ian Barton points out below that you may as well go with Blair-ism as the least unelectable of the 3 options.
But isn’t Blair the guy who got bottled off stage at the Women’s Institute 20 years ago? Tobias helpfully reminds us of his achievements since, as others have pointed out. Even the Good Friday Agreement has turned into a pair of ruddy handcuffs.
Blairites dominate much of our social discourse through the media, devolved functions, charities, in fact anywhere that public money can be found in large amounts. They even managed to get a dancing bear on Strictly. Yet it hasn’t won or successfully influenced a democratic vote since 2005.
His “Not For Profit” (arf) Foundation by it’s own words claims to be embedded in governments the world over. CoVid-19, European Union – there is seemingly no end to the scope of activities this former “Faith” Foundation can perform. 100 staff in Africa alone – I will not speculate on where the money comes from to fund that indulgence, it may depress me further.
Here’s an idea – maybe if the UK had a break from Blair’s politics and media management for a decade or so, we might begin to get nostalgic for it?
I voted for the charlatan in 1997 and view that whole period now as disastrous for the future of the UK and my children. Also a massive kick in the teeth for parents/grandparents that lived and fought, then experienced actual austerity to get the country back on it’s feet. They considered themselves the lucky ones – they survived.
The US/UK special arrangement descended to “Bush’s poodle” on to Obama’s “back of the queue” in less than 15 years via death, disfigurement, long-term disability, ill-equipped troops – an incalculable waste of time and money at terrible human cost; Exhibit A – Afghanistan 2021.
So no, I won’t be going back to it. But thanks for the offer.
Good analysis. The resort to abstract nouns is the big giveaway that he has no plan and no objectives.
Spot on analysis. I voted for Blair twice. But the more I look back at what he actually did and realise the legacy of it, I am horrified by my naive youthful stupidity.
Does Blair realise how much he is hated or is he that narcessistic?
There are good arguments for raising the voting age, or perhaps restoring the property-ownership qualification.
It’s when I miss Thatcher the most.
For all his faults, Starmer is right on this one.
As Peter Mandelson likes to recant:
”Lost,Lost,Lost, Blair,Blair, Blair, Lost,Lost,Lost,Lost”
Any idiot can have principles that will never result in change … and maybe that is the very definition of idiocy …
RE: New Labour’s ”shift the dial of the country” remit.
More like it shafting it over when considering the list of long-term intractable problems highlighted above!