Alan Johnson writes in the New Statesman on the matter of political parties 'dabbling' in the art of misinformation - ie, not being totally truthful. It is something that has been practised for ages as the next paragraph of this post shows.
On my post "More on the democratic deficit" one of the commenters quotes from FCO 30/1048 - relating to the UK's entry into what was then the Common Market, recently released under the 30 year rule:
"Disinformation
After entry there would be a major responsibility on HMG and on all political parties not to exacerbate public concern by attributing unpopular measures or unfavourable economic developments to the remote and unmanageable workings of the Community."
Alan Johnson, like all politicians addressing their paymasters, demonstrates a naivity if he expects them to accept what they are told without question. He - and his political colleagues - would do well to heed the voices of dissent, which are growing by the day, in respect of the various aspects of our democratic deficit.
Conservative Home have a post entitled "What can Tory councillors learn from the Tea Party Governors", on which I have commented "Never mind about Tory councillors - what lessons will the Tory party learn". It is a question that the Lib/Lab/Con would do well to heed, however all three of those parties demonstrate their ability to ignore what is under their noses, so it is logical to assume that nothing will happen.
As an aside and reverting to the subject of the UK's membership of the European Union - which FCO 30/148 was about - if ever there was an argument for our withdrawal it comes in a post by Ed West:
"There is much about French, German and Italian society and culture I love and would like to imitate, but I can learn from my neighbours without moving in with them and opening a joint bank account."
1 comment:
You write as if our European neighbours are happy with their lot. Don't ask Germans - they are spitting blood and the British are complacent and passive when compared to German anger at the EU and the party system.
My personal bet is that the British will groan and submit in their usual depressive state, but that Germans will take their anger to the streets like the French
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