We have a duty to put out a party that gambles, and has “reckless opportunists” – jokers and chancers – at the helm. The gambling on Cameron in the Brexit vote was equally stupid. Poorer people live shorter lives. A longer term government (see letters below) might be just what is needed to correct the stupidity of the politics of the last 20 years…… Lets hope the Liberals get enough seats to be the official opposition!!
Matthew Parris opines 22nd June 2024 in the Times: Why doesn’t Starmer tell us the truth for once? – With the election all but won, Labour can be honest about Britain’s problems and avoid accusations of broken pledges …It doesn’t have to be like this. Honesty may not often be easy in democratic politics but Starmer and Reeves now have that rare thing: a risk-free chance to be honest and to cover themselves for later against the souring and contempt that broken promises always bring…….
In our elderly and arthritic economy and democracy, where the electorate’s sense of entitlement exceeds the limits of the possible, our politicians’ power to deliver much is very constrained. Their power to restrict their promises, however, is entirely within their grasp.
If they could only narrow the gap between what’s promised and what’s doable, they could strike a blow for public trust in politics. But this will require from party leaders a kind of unforced courage, like jumping into a cold lake when we don’t absolutely have to. And from the led it will require the maturity to prefer unwelcome truth to agreeable fantasy.
I’m beginning to wonder whether on both sides this will ever happen. But of one thing I’m sure: there will never be a better, less risk-laden opportunity to attempt the experiment than now, for this Labour leadership at this general election, when victory is guaranteed. Spit it out, Keir, Rachel. You’ll sleep better when you have, and so will we.
Times letter 22nd June 2024: Super Majority dangers.
Sir, William Hague’s argument about the dangers of a Labour super-majority (“A tiny opposition is a danger to democracy”, Jun 18) overlooks a vital potential benefit: a government that is certain of a second term can take the bold decisions that we need around investment for decarbonisation and reform of the NHS and social care provision. They will realistically have ten years before the next meaningful ballot, so can make meaningful change for the long term.
Alison Hampton
Rickmansworth, Herts
Reckless opportunists – Elites at the end of the Establishment – By Aeron Davis
NHS reality. An NHS soapbox. Speakers' corner for the NHS. 