Downing Street is now the last refuge of the electorally damned

21 November 2009

Martin Bright reviews the week in politics

Real change will be driven by necessity. Ambitious young Labour politicians who want to make a difference will head for local government, where residual Labour power will lie in the event of a Tory victory. Some even talk of a new era of municipal socialism (a word increasingly used, even by those on the right of the party). For this to happen, Labour will need genuinely to embrace local devolution. Ed Miliband has shown that it is possible to steal a march on Cameron on the environmental agenda. If he gets it right, he may even be able to persuade the Labour core vote that green technology can create jobs for the working class (another term that has crept back into excepted Labour party usage).

The government is exhausted. The parliamentary party looks and behaves like it has already been defeated. The wider labour movement is divided, and bracing for civil war. And the polling numbers are dreadful. Just a quarter of the electorate are on Labour’s side: that Number 10 could seek any solace in that fact proves just how hopeless the situation really is.

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John Bowman

November 19th, 2009 10:24am Report this comment

It is called "Bunkers Syndrome" first identified by Professor Adolph Shickelgruber a well known expert in the psychotic. The subject cuts him/herself off from reality, physically and figuratively. He/she believes those closest to him are telling him the exact opposite of what he wants to hear and he/she develops a deep sense of unjustified rejection by and loathing towards the general population, whom the sufferer believes, is no longer worthy of his/her great sacrifice for their benefit, for which a great punishment must be vested upon them.

Successful treatment involves fast acting, heavy sedation combined with lead pellet implanted in the brain, immediately followed by immolation.

Vulture

November 19th, 2009 11:27am Report this comment

Of course its hopeless. Why would any person in possession of a full set of brain cells support the worst Government in British history that has systematically and intentionally trashed the entire nation - starting with their 'ain folk' - the so-called working class.

The only mysteries, to me, Marty, are why you continue to believe that the Labour party has any sort of future - municipal or otherwise ( you appear not to have noticed that Liebour were wiped out in local Govt last June); - and why old Fraser continues to employ a Liebour troll like you as a political commentator on a magazine that laughably is supposed to be 'Conservative'.
Your mob are history, mate.