cast it, or lose it
Exactly when John Major morphed into some form of national treasure is anyone’s guess but the universally accepted ‘worst prime minister in living memory’ (present company excepted) has been widely lauded for his recent outspoken attacks on both energy prices and social mobility, claiming it is “truly shocking that, in 2013, the upper echelons of power are held overwhelmingly by the privately educated”. No sh*t, Sherlock!
Even a cursory gander at the numbers will give you some idea of where these individuals come from and to whom lies their allegiance – over two-thirds of the cabinet were privately educated, and 23 of the 29 members of the coalition are millionaires. Don’t however let yourself be fooled that the shadow cabinet are THAT much different. Eight of its 19 members were privately educated and at least seven are similarly well-heeled. In fact, the only surprise I uncovered whilst reading up on this was the three tory leaders prior to Cammy – Ted Heath, Our Maggie and The Major himself – were all state-educated. Who’d a thunked it.
Privileged and out of touch? All in this together? I possibly surely couldn’t comment.
And, in any event, in today’s Britain do we really believe in ‘all for one and one for all’ any longer? I suspect not. Given the chance of upgrading don’t we all jump at it? The chance not to queue; the chance not to check-in; the opportunity for a separate hospital room; a comfier bed and one with SKY; trade up to a better menu, avoid contact with the riff-raff? If this isn’t the implementation of a stealth system based upon our ability and desire to pay for privilege then I don’t know what is.
Apparently, or incredibly more like, much of Europe admires our perceived serenity when faced with state derived and nationwide issues. Decisions that would have our European cousins taking to the streets, manning the barricades and storming the Bastille are met with, at best, black humour, and at worst, complete and utter apathy. Nuclear power, military conflict, child protection, NHS provision, interest rates, family breakdown, social isolation, the sale of public assets are all met with a shrug and an all-pervading silence. Stupidity and ignorance should not be confused with serenity and whilst, it’ll be a cold day in Hell when I agree with Russell Brand, I can certainly where he’s coming from – not a pretty sight considering his Lothario past! Speaking as an individual who has intentionally spoiled his own ballot paper, you may not consider your own vote as that important, but the fact that we are able to actually cast it is hugely so. It is more important than most of us can ever perceive. We risk losing it at our peril and, with each passing ballot and with each lower participating number, it comes ever closer.
