Comments on: Tariq Ali on the state of UK politics

By: Eden and Apple

Eden and Apple — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:46:33 +0000

Backword supply curve of bankers and engineers

By: Irwin

Irwin — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:58:42 +0000

From someone on the other side of the pond I can pray that your media (and people) can ‘allow’ and even prod the government to go in a different direction, particularly on the Israel-Palestinian question. That’s the REAL ‘third rail of politics’ here, rather than social security. Europe needs to adopt a differing PUBLIC stance here, to hope to defuse the hatreds from that part of the world. Solidarity with the U.S. across the board is a real losing proposition.

By: nick

nick — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:16:23 +0000

Unfortunately we don’t vote for policies now – only a ‘position.’ This is what the ruling political élite on both sides have wanted all along. If the one side isn’t revealing what policies they are going to implement, then the other side doesn’t have to either. I’ve looked at the online policy statements for the election from both Labour and the Conservatives – and on both sides there’s virtually nothing to tell them apart – it’s all presented as euphemisms, vagueness and spin. There is no true democracy any more in this country. But hey, while idiots continue to vote for both Labour and the Tories, the country will continue to go to the dogs – whichever of the two main parties gets in. The Credit Crunch is but a minor blip of a problem compared to what the UK has got coming to it in the not-too-distant future – I predict 20, maybe 30 years – both socially and finacially; riots and rations, immorality and injustice, a complete breakdown of social order with mass unemployment and violence. Can we change November 5th please so that we commiserate Guy Fawkes failure rather than celebrate it ?

By: John Lamble

John Lamble — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:21:05 +0000

I find it rather sad that a sober, factual news organisation like Reuters is taking a socialist crank like Ali seriously. The sort of changes he would want for Britain would turn it into a totalitarian communist state. No-one, fortunately, has ever taken his rabble-rousing seriously and it is commendable that the British have remained broadly centrist in their politics in spite of attempts by extremists like Ali and his ilk to provoke instability.

Probably the only area where politicians are massively at odds with the electorate is over Europe where, according to opinion poles, most Britons want a serious reduction in the power of the EU over their affairs. But this is a cross-party issue with people of every political hue wanting action. For other issues the debate should be fairly low-key. We’ve spent forty years telling you we don’t want your revolution, Mr Ali. Take a hint and stick to your novels.

By: JAG

JAG — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:20:56 +0000

Well said. I totally I agree with Alex Jones

By: Eden and Apple

Eden and Apple — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:21:58 +0000

Yes Total comedy and Church and courts neutered. There is still a further change not yet done that is even Funnier and has Zen like attributes . You will not believe how proportional Representation will surprise you. Some on the left will admit to never being on the left and some on the right will admit to never being on the right. Mr Shakespeare would approve. Under Galbrathian Forests And Friedman Tyrany We’ll be binge drinking in the streets
With our children at our feet
And the morals that they worship will be gone
And the men who spurred us on
Sit in judgement of all wrong
They decide and the shotgun sings the song

I’ll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I’ll get on my knees and pray
We don’t get fooled again

There’s nothing in the streets
Looks any different to me
And the slogans are replaced, by-the-bye
And the parting on the left
Is now parting on the right
And the beards have all grown longer overnight

By: Alex Jones

Alex Jones — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 10:41:09 +0000

Sadly I must agree with Tariq Ali that we will follow the USA down whatever path they walk. The problem with the English is that we have lost our sense of place in the world, so we follow in the shadow of the USA to give that illusion of empowerment. The sad fact is that the USA, Obama especially, treats the UK with the same sort of contempt a high school jock would treat the school nerd.