Over the weekend of 23-24 May, 2020, UK politics began to explode. I found myself on Twitter, where I have an account I do not normally use, and I could not look away. Politicians put out co-ordinated messages, journalists attempted to take them to account, the general public reacted and anyone could tune in and watch as this unfolded in real time.
This is not a blog about the Tory party in general, this is a blog about this Tory party, the elected (and unelected) who are hold power right now, today, and the reactions of the public, the media and members of other political parties. The issues it discusses are relevant to anyone living in the UK, particularly those who care about democracy. This blog criticises where it feels criticism is due.
For example, opinions include: many cabinet ministers and at least one unelected special adviser should be in prison. But also: in a moment of national crisis where thousands are dying, the Opposition are wrong if they allow what they want to happen in four years time to cloud their judgement or affect their actions. They should be operating on the deepest human principles, ironically enough summed up fairly well by the Government. And they should trust that if they follow those, they have the greatest chance of securing a victory in the future. If not, they have at the very least acted with integrity.
In the same way - though this is perhaps even harder to hope for - journalists should be following those principles, too, rather than letting the political leanings of their paper compromise their morals. As an example, the Daily Mail headline on Monday read 'What Planet Are they On?'. This blog agrees with the sentiment here. It does not entertain ideas - an example from Twitter that this is 'because the editor is anti-Brexit' and has an axe to grind with those in power. No. It is the right question to ask. So: will not hold back on criticising politicians or media outlets from any political side where necessary. And it will praise those individuals who appear to be following higher principles - particularly when doing so goes against their party or their paper.
Opinions may err on the side of the extreme or provocative, not being restricted by any political party or newspaper, and with no job to lose. Speculation will be identified as speculation, but is seen as a valuable tool in avoiding complacency and questioning assumptions - such as: 'The UK is a democracy'. Is it? Or is democracy slipping away, is it under siege, has it, indeed, already been compromised?
This is not a blog about the Tory party in general, this is a blog about this Tory party, the elected (and unelected) who are hold power right now, today, and the reactions of the public, the media and members of other political parties. The issues it discusses are relevant to anyone living in the UK, particularly those who care about democracy. This blog criticises where it feels criticism is due.
For example, opinions include: many cabinet ministers and at least one unelected special adviser should be in prison. But also: in a moment of national crisis where thousands are dying, the Opposition are wrong if they allow what they want to happen in four years time to cloud their judgement or affect their actions. They should be operating on the deepest human principles, ironically enough summed up fairly well by the Government. And they should trust that if they follow those, they have the greatest chance of securing a victory in the future. If not, they have at the very least acted with integrity.
In the same way - though this is perhaps even harder to hope for - journalists should be following those principles, too, rather than letting the political leanings of their paper compromise their morals. As an example, the Daily Mail headline on Monday read 'What Planet Are they On?'. This blog agrees with the sentiment here. It does not entertain ideas - an example from Twitter that this is 'because the editor is anti-Brexit' and has an axe to grind with those in power. No. It is the right question to ask. So: will not hold back on criticising politicians or media outlets from any political side where necessary. And it will praise those individuals who appear to be following higher principles - particularly when doing so goes against their party or their paper.
Opinions may err on the side of the extreme or provocative, not being restricted by any political party or newspaper, and with no job to lose. Speculation will be identified as speculation, but is seen as a valuable tool in avoiding complacency and questioning assumptions - such as: 'The UK is a democracy'. Is it? Or is democracy slipping away, is it under siege, has it, indeed, already been compromised?
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