English Statesman 2

The English Statesman Issue 3

April 1979

The Era of Good Feelings? An alarming trend has gripped the House of Commons and is no doubt sweeping across the nation as this goes to print. People are actually starting to agree with each other. As shocking as this may sound, after a week or so of hustling and bustling the Commons is slowly but surely calming down. The daggers have been sheathed, the papers have stopped waving, and constructive Government is occurring, This wave of events started the Home Secretary (Isaac Shimon) introduced two completely uncontroversial pieces of legislation. The first, the Firearms Act, had been re written actually taking on the concerns of the opposition, leaving them stunned into silence. Coming back to the Chamber, Members of the House sat for the reading of the second piece of legislation “The Crown Prosecution Service Act”. Most were stunned when Mr.English actually rose in support of the Act, followed by the Leader of the Opposition, Robert Noble-Gordon. This trend continued when the Minister for the Environment, Thomas Longship introduced the British Lead Standard Act. This has received warm approval from his opposite number and it seems set to sail through both Readings and straight to vote. After the past few weeks of hair

Hugging...an alarming trend..

pulling, name calling, knife wielding partisan politics, are the Members of Parliament simply tired? Or is this actually a consensus political scene rearing its head upon the horizon? This paper doubts it, the explanation is probably quite simple. Due to the amount of cuthroat attacks and insults that have been banded around the Common as of late, each has spent his or her alloted monthly share. This share being the amount the Public will take before they grumbled “Bloody politicians..always

Moaning about something...” So they have had to shut up before they lose them selves some votes (some would think that a good enough reason for them to have them firmly closed at all times). The Era of Good Feelings as our American Cousins experienced during the 1830s and 1840s was actually a time of cutthroat electioneering, where elections bitterly fought...and often bought it can be argued (such as the Corrupt Bargain of 1832). However Britain over the past few years has undergone a similar trend one could argue. The former Conservative Leader Hipright sold his party's electoral soul for a pickled egg and a shot at Government (which was over before he could finished the pickled egg) and the Left Wing Cabal of the Labour Party has seized the Government's agenda and has pushed through legislation which has radically changed the way that the average Briton lives his or her life (though we do not know yet if it is for better or worse). Under the calm tranquil surface of Party Politics is the bubbling simmering warzone that the “greasy pole”. Ministers are outmaneuvering, manifestos are being published, speeches made, legislation introduced. As we move close to the end of Labour's first year in Government and the Conservatives first year in opposition we shall have to see how each Party is shaping up, and if the Liberals have managed to guide themselves out of the political darkness and towards the light of electoral credibility One thing however is beyond doubt. The feelings of this Era are anything but good.

Jargon Busting – The Word “Consensus” “To me, consensus seems to be the process of abandoning all beliefs, principles, values and policies. So it is something in which no one believes and to which no one objects”. - Margret Thatcher “A consensus politician is someone who does something that he doesn't believe is right because it keeps people quiet when he does it” – John Major Consensus is a word banded about by a lot of Politicians, but what does it actually mean. Well in a literal sense it means “General agreement or accord” Well that seems pretty simple, surely we can get a bunch of middle aged, sleep deprived, bickering, ambitious men to try and reach such a noble goal? That is easier said then done. Mostly, “Consensus” is a word used when a Government is trying to do something, but has had to settle for second best. The most recent example of a “Consensus” was the Liberal – Conservative Government of last year...oh yes..how did that go again...

The Lion's Roar? - The Liberal Party Love them or loath them, like estate agents and lawyers, the Liberal Party seem set to stay. The Party originated in the mid 1800s a combination of radicals, extremists and bored Tories formed a party which was dedicated to change. Under the flair and guile of William Gladstone the Party managed to secure the Commons several times, until it divided itself over Home Rule. The Liberals then bounced back to then return for another round of Social Reform which proved extremely successful, until the Great War interrupted them. Divided between two leaders, facing the backlash of being in Government when the war occurred and facing a sprightly new Labour Party, the Liberals feel by the way side until today. The common joke around the Commons is that when the Liberal MP s have to attend a conference, they can all fit in the one Taxi. Joking aside, however this is no party to scoff at. Despite commanding only a handful of MP s the Liberals have managed to rough it up with the big boys in several elections. It seems, the fact remains that they can clearly be quite devastating. Under the leadership of Alexander Shackleton the Liberals have gone back to what they do best, fringe politics. Their latest manifesto though admirable in sentiment, was not going to win any favours with core voters. Despite the best efforts of Shackleton & Co, that

One can scoff all one likes at their small amount of MP s however, the Liberals have managed to claw their way into Government and hit the Conservatives with such a punch, that it can be argued they are still recoiling now, Though this has spent their energy for the next few years Former Leader Brent, a tough political cat

Electoral expedition was always going to end in failure. In this eyes of this journal, the path of the Liberals is clear. They have to get back into the mainstream politics, the new age junket may be fine for Liberal Party Conferences and Meetings, but what people want to hear from the Liberals are forward hard hitting policies on the key issues. Despite what claims they may make, their manifesto was more a cat's meow then a lion's roar. If they wish to start to hit the political parties once again, then they need to grow back those claws.

The Ultimate Cabal However far from that being the case, it seems that rather a it what you may, however one quorum of “Left Wingers” is in cannot deny that the control of the Government and Government has been hijacked far from being the stable force by the self proclaimed “Left that it appears to be, is run by Wing Cabal”. this “Cabal” of Labour Ministers When former Prime Minister who seek to push their extreme Buchannan, a moderate socialist agenda. When one looks Labour Party Leader was on paper at the respective thrown out of office but a few radicals, one has to ask who short weeks into this reign, the would be radical to lead such a end of the Moderate Labour radical bunch of young radicals, Party was well and truly over. radically? Well the answer is Led by the ever resourceful simple. Steward. Though perhaps Lewis, backed by firebrand “One for the Prime Minister, no charmer of the Cameras, his Steward, aided by the and I think Lewis has black fire brand speeches is enough to charismatic Tanner and a with have Tories running for the exits coffee...” a bench full of idealistic (or lavatories) and Liberals Lewis was in control as socialists, it was clear a whimpering. The message is change was in the air. However Party Leader backed by his therefore clear, we can expect fellow Ministers, forging for some time at least the more of the same radicalism. Status Quo seemed to be clear policy along his guidelines

Story fishing, propaganda call

Letters to the Editor... Dear Editor, I was frankly shocked to find that Mr. English was opposed to further integration with Europe, with all the bureaucrats and commissions they have there, we would we fill right at home! Yours, Hugh Crum-bum

Dear Editor, I would like to thank the English Statesman for finally answering those left wing loonies that seem that have taken over the Government of this great land of ours. Democracy! Since when the devil has this country been for Democracy! We fought the French and American Revolutions against Democracy!We might of changed sides, during the last two, only because we hate the Germans even more... Yours, Lord A. Utocracy

Dear Editor, I would like to protest at the use of letters in this magazine. They seem to poke fun at what is the right of all human beings to profess their own feelings about anything they desire. Surely this magazine can understand that right? Wishing you peace and love, Flower Princess The Third