Which party to support?
I am not a political being in the sense that I support one political party over the other. I find the notion that one party deserves to rule and another to be in opposition hard to fathom. In the past when the parties were more divided by class and policy, or in a country like Italy where the parties remain cleaved to the left or right, then perhaps I could understand it. But in modern Britain, the three leading parties have drifted into the centre. They seem to differ now on individual policies and not philosophy. The Tory label of ‘Toffs’, whose policies were “thought up on the playing fields of Eton”, and the suggestion that Labour are the puppets of the Trade Unions persist, are fuelled from across the benches but lack conviction.
When it comes to my political support, I therefore choose personality and policy, rather than parties. Personality is a big part of politics and always will be. I recently went to see Boris Johnson at the Mayor’s Assembly (a kind of PMQs for the London Mayor) and he was fantastic. He was witty, funny, bumbling and quoted Shakespeare and Tacitus – I left having not been bored once, and not particularly fussed about his policies. The sign of a good politician?
On occasion, I like certain politicians and therefore vaguely support them. I didn’t like Tony Blair. I always felt like he was being insincere – as Adrian Mole once wrote: “I couldn’t help thinking those endless pauses had been timed by Alastair Campbell with a stopwatch”. I didn’t really like Gordon Brown either. To begin with I thought he was a very intelligent and probably quite kind man. Then he mismanaged the economic crisis and people starting saying he was a bully, so I went off him.
But that’s not to say that I disliked the Labour party or every one of their policies since 1997 . There are many that have undoubtedly been beneficial. Equally, at the moment I like David Cameron but am no fan of Nick Clegg, who seems to be a kind of pale imitation of the PM who has sold his soul for electoral reform. That’s not to say I love the Tories and hate the Liberal Democrats. George Osborne – bit of a goon. Paddy Ashdown – perhaps my favourite politician.
At times, like now, I will support the present government and advocate more time for their policies. Equally, at other times I think that a fresh government with new ideas is needed. Blindly following a political party through thick and thin seems odd.
PMQs
I have found that watching Prime Minister’s Questions is a good way of getting to know the PM and the leader of the opposition and forming some non-partisan opinions, based on personality and policy. Of course, parties play a big part in the debate and there’s always a cracking atmosphere from the backbenches. But normally the Commons reaches a crescendo with the a frenetic and entertaining debate across the podium.
The trouble is, Labour leader Ed Miliband seems entirely lacking in concrete policy and the whole half-hour debate is becoming very repetitive. I want to like Miliband – he has a cartoon character likeability about him. But instead of being a cool, assertive character like Woody or Wallace, he currently seems to be floundering like Nemo’s dad or consistently losing his acorn like Scrat.
The following is a template for Cameron vs. Miliband PMQs:
*The coalition has announced some cuts or other in the past week…
Cameron: “These cuts are necessary.”
Miliband: “You’re gambling with people’s futures. It’s reckless.”
Cameron: “What’s your alternative suggestion then?”
Miliband: “I may not have been here long, Mr. Speaker, but I thought I was suppose to ask the questions.”
Cameron: “These cuts are necessary.”
Miliband: [pointing] “He’s got to do better than that.”
Cameron: “You haven’t got a plan so you can’t say anything. Your party messed up economy.”
And so on. Last week Cameron successfully scorned Miliband for an interview he did in The Guardian in which he stated Labour’s policy ‘started with a blank sheet of paper’. “That’s no good to anyone!”, said the PM. He mentioned the blank sheet thrice last week and once again today. It has proved great ammunition.
Often, these jibes are designed to lighten the mood by mildly embarrassing or poking fun at the person opposite. But with Miliband, they cut deeper. The PM’s words ring true. Last week, Cameron accused him of being the “nobody man” of British politics. This week, he said “he’s been in the job three months and people are wondering when he’s going to start”. These quotes will worry Labour backbenchers, because Miliband genuinely seems to lack a decent comeback. He hasn’t got an alternative plan to reduce the deficit and get Britain out of trouble. And so far, the coalition’s efforts seem to be working.
Miliband needs to attack to coalition, using his own ideas as a base. He needs to formulate some concrete policies, some alternatives to the cuts and rises he is criticising. He currently dithering, characterised by his indecisiveness over whether to attend a protest, another point picked up on by Cameron today.
I was all for giving the coalition time and the same should apply to Miliband. But he needs to pick up speed fast. A coalition should be an easier government to attack than an a party united. No doubt the Liberal Democrat wavering on tuition fees will give him some ammunition in the coming days and next week. Indeed, I would like to stress that the coalition has not been perfect and the university bill could turn into a major embarrassment if the Liberals abstain. But thus far, Miliband isn’t convincing and it’s all getting a bit repetitive.
Living with Granny 