Bob Piper has been a Labour Councillor for the Abbey
Ward in Sandwell, West Midlands, for 10 years. He is a lifelong supporter of Aston Villa Football Club and a follower of Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
The views expressed here are mine in a personal capacity, not those of the Labour Party, Sandwell MBC, Aston Villa or Yorkshire County Cricket Club. Get it! Mine... just mine!
Promoted by Bob Piper of 115 Barclay Rd, B67 5JZ on behalf of the Labour Party, care of 39 Victoria Street London, SW1H 0HA . Hosted (printed) by Swaithe Internet Solutions who are not responsible for any of the contents of these posts.
Please note however, that The Labour Party is not responsible for the content of this website or individual posts as, unless specifically stated, I am writing solely in a personal and individual capacity.
Promoted by Bob Piper of 115 Barclay Rd, B67 5JZ on behalf of the Labour Party, care of 39 Victoria Street London, SW1H 0HA . Hosted (printed) by Swaithe Internet Solutions who are not responsible for any of the contents of these posts.
Please note however, that The Labour Party is not responsible for the content of this website or individual posts as, unless specifically stated, I am writing solely in a personal and individual capacity.
In between singing the praises of Thatcherite economics, SNP Leader Alex Salmond was whining a week ago about the fact that they get a poor deal from the media in Scotland (Welcome to office, chum, it comes with the territory). But I suspect even Salmond's crew get a better press than the Tories. Here's a wonderful editorial in the Daily Record... and do they really, really not like Andrew Landsley:
It's many generations since the demise of what was once known as caring Conservatism.
In the 19th century, Tory prime minister Benjamin Disraeli despaired over the gap between rich and poor and described Britain as a country of "two nations".
That outlook has long since disappeared and the grotesque excesses of "two nations" returned under the social polarisation of Thatcherism.
Thin-lipped, weak-chinned toff David Cameron reckons he is the heir to Disraeli's legacy.
Fat chance, with people such as shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley taking a front seat on the Team Cameron bus, which the Tories reckon will soon be stopping at No10.
Lansley used to work as a civil servant for Thatcher's favourite Norman "Get On Your Bike" Tebbit, one of the most extreme right-wing politicians this country has ever produced.
And it looks like some of Tebbit's bile has worked its way into his system.
What Lansley should remember is that it was the policies of Thatcher and his old boss Tebbit that are to blame for much of the social misery which persists in deprived parts of Scotland today.
Their legacy for many parts of this country was long-term unemployment, lack of opportunity and the creation of a culture and social environment of hopelessness where people inevitably see their physical and mental health deteriorate.
What Lansley and the current crop of Two Nation Tories should realise is that the NHS are picking up the tab for the very social and economic problems caused by the Tories during their dark days of power.
Godzilla said:
August 28, 2008 8:49 AM | permalink
err......... Why is it wonderful? Its a nasty piece of bile. Its always easy to blame someone else... Will Labour still be blaming the Tories in the next millenium for failed socialist policies?
Bob Grant said:
August 28, 2008 8:56 AM | permalink
Got a big circulation in the West Midlands, has it?
Ah yes, here we go - the Conservatives are STILL to blame for all the social ills in this country, despite 11 years of a Labour government. Labour have in no way made the situation worse nor encouraged dependency on the state to dig them out of problems they cause for themselves, no sir-ee.
newmania said:
August 28, 2008 10:33 AM | permalink
Thats interesting. I have read that old left wing control of the media in Scotland is one of the things that has driven the SNP as a protest. You have to remember that in Scotland the collectivist left are the establishment , Gordon brown is a typical member of this establishment in fact.( This was all in Robin Aitken`s book biased BBC detaining the actually people and their membership of the Labour Party)
BBC Scotland’s implacable opposition to Thatcher and narrative of industrial decline (ignoring new successes) was pin pointed as one of the key factors finally alienating the North from the South, its ironic really that it will finish the Labour Party in the end .
Its also odd that the devolved assembly which was supposed to save Labour has made it worse . The Party most opposed to Westminster was bound to be elected when you could have it both ways .Listening to this sort of dim witted stuff is like going back in time to before New Labour , I suppose it’s a pleasantly nostalgic experience for you Herr Piper , this is why Labour are losing the country and to be honest the opinion of Scots is really of little further interest( a fact they are curiously slow to appreciate ).
On Lansley if only they were right .He is the the biggest prat in the Party ,actually promising increases on Labour NHS spending. His position on the left is unsustainable
Two nations Tories = bad
Four nations Liebour = good
I don't get it, you'll have to explain how the current system of apartheid under Liebour that means people with cancer or alzheimers in Sandwell are refused life/sanity saving medical treatments that they could have for free on the NHS paid for with English taxes if they lived in Scotland is right.
August 28, 2008 8:49 AM | permalink
err......... Why is it wonderful? Its a nasty piece of bile. Its always easy to blame someone else... Will Labour still be blaming the Tories in the next millenium for failed socialist policies?