On 21st May I posted about the possibility that Cameron and Clegg were setting out on a long journey to create a new party - The Liberal Conservative Party.
My reason for linking to a previous post is the fact that Clegg is quoted in the Independent stating that:
"Nick Clegg has declared that there is "no future" for the Liberal Democrats as a left-wing alternative to Labour as he appealed to his party to show "patience" and maintain a united front with the Conservatives."
William Pitt, the Elder, The Earl of Chatham and British Prime Minister from 1766 to 1778, is sometimes wrongly attributed as the source of the saying "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely" - this actually being said by John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton, first Baron Acton (1834–1902). The historian and moralist, who was otherwise known simply as Lord Acton, expressed this opinion in a letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton in 1887. Pitt the Elder did say something similar, in a speech to the UK House of Lords in 1770: "Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it"
When two parties of differing views enter into a coalition in order to form a government it requires principles to be tempered or even ignored. So that shows, without any doubt, that power is more important than principle - yet are not our politicians supposed to be men of honour? If our politicians have no honour or principle, then neither does our country - and, more importantly, neither does our democracy!
4 comments:
Hmm, can't say I agree. The major parties are all coalitions, with different wings and factions. If everyone in Parliament was suddenly struck by amnesia with regard to their party, but retained their political views, they would be unlikely to reform in exactly the same way. Probably a centrist party would form, with members of all the current parties, and a few radical parties taking stands on various things.
TT, accept your reasoning but feel we at cross-purposes here. I am talking 'party policies' here not individual beliefs.
Two examples: AV - Tories against L/Ds for, although not what they really wanted. Trident: L/Ds against, Tories for.
If a Liberal Conservative Party is formed, then your last para comes into effect. There would be a rump of L/Ds and 'hard right-wing Tories.
Either way, whether you are right or I am, my assertion power corrupts principles holds true.
Rather than creating a new party wouldn't they be reuniting the old party as existed before the liberals split from the Tory party over the corn laws?
Not that it makes any difference how they treat us or makes me respect them, but just adding a different perspective.
Woodsy42, fair comment and thank you.
Post a Comment