Now, far be it for me to stoke the fires of class war after the events of last week…. but…
Mr Frank Goldsmith, former Eton schoolboy, mate of Thomas Parker Bowles, Conservative Party candidate for Richmond Park, heir to the billionaire Sir James Goldsmith’s 300 million quid fortune, has embarked on a campaign. He wants me to boycott my local Sainsbury’s store in Oldbury because Sainsbury’s are planning to build a store in the leafy suburb where our ‘Zac’ is expected to become the Tory MP.
“This move is completely undemocratic, and goes against the grain in every sense” says young Zac.
Absolutely. Building a supermarket. Opposite the home of another national treasure, the equally ineffectual Tim Rice. Out-bloody-rageous, that’s what I call it.
Surely, though, kid… it’s the market…. live with it! Isn’t that the Party line?
Hey, Zac, did you and your constituents know… you can get cheaper fuel at Sainsbury’s. Surely you’re in favour of that?
Lord Sainsbury’s one of our biggest donors: it isn’t surprising Zac wants to hit him in the pocket?!
Goldsmith is one of the few who dares stand up to the trashing of our environment, which is supported by Labour and Conservative alike. Predictably, he is hated by those knuckledraggers at ConHome and by the equally two-dimensional Labour stalwarts like you.
Conservatism is not co-extensive with capitalism Bob and only appears that way from standing against the doctrinal collectivism of the Socialist Party. If you want a vision of what Conservatism is think of a well ordered garden, if you want an image of Capitalism think of a terrifying wilderness in which the biggest beasts prowl the anarchic void. (Socialism would be a depressing agri business with mile upon mile of identical food units…which would then die of an unforeseen disease)
As always Conservatives look for a balance emphasising retaining the value of what has gone before , the way Supermarkets have been able to compete unfairly with local shops and the way the Labour Party have encouraged that by removing the need test and not looking rigorously for uncompetitive practice like land hoarding has destroyed the high Streets and communal; areas where the very soul of Conservatism lives and breathes.
I confess to finding some of the Fogeyish enthusiasms of the Zac brigade slightly amusing but it is a component of the Party which is close to its heart. The millions of all classes that go to see our great houses and sacred Churches testify that there is more to life than money for us all……its all about balance , humanity and rejecting the assumption that new equals better.
You have never had the slightest idea what Conservatism is all about , I would recommend reading ? After Blair? surprisingly good philosophical history .
I wonder if CCHQ sanctioned this little rant from Zac….
Hey! Isn’t that Sainsbury’s geezer the one that donates Millions to the Labour Party?
Give me that guy’s e mail address.
Gary
It is amazing how free market forces can turn into NIMBY’ism.
If this was Harrods would they still object?
They do’nt need cheap petrol Bob they are able to use Kens public transport!
Newmania. “the way Supermarkets have been able to compete unfairly with local shops”
Years too late in your condemnation.
Small family owned corner shops who served their local communities were the first to be wiped out, closely followed by specialist town centre shops thanks to John Gummer and co. who completely unrestrained, supermarketised the whole country. I seem to remember Lady Tesco was prominent during that era.
And some of the original supermarkets, (vastly expanded and still here today) were placed opposite and virtually next door to residential dwellings making them un-saleable.
Perhaps an elegant and upmarket Waitrose would be more acceptable to Mr. Rice and the Goldsmiths, though even that, if built in close proximity to Mr. Rice?s property, will blight any prospective sale.
I know its not cricket, but as “you’ve never had the slightest idea what Conservatism is about” couldn’t you replay that selection interview with that Tory twit from 12 months or so ago and his sister Arabella somebody or other?
Chaz,- Neither would I want to stop progress. Supermarkets are good thing and small family shops clearly did not serve their customers well enough. I think now is good time to think of where we are and where we go next.
In Lewes there is a thriving Highstreet ,but no-one would be without the Tescos.
I would like an adjustment not a war on popular companies filling a need and making life better .
Nice to see the Tory Party in Birmingham enthusiastically backing Tesco superstores, while a candidate elsewhere decides that a major supermarket – not unrelated to a big donor to the Labour Party – doesn’t fit with the area.