The last 100 years were recently described as the transit
from Empire, to Democracy then Kleptocracy, as an increasing share of the world’s
assets are sucked into the maw of a tiny minority of hugely wealthy
individuals. Yes, individuals, for what are corporations but vehicles for
multiples of individuals to acquire yet more that they cannot usefully use,
without working for it?
No wonder then, if in such a world, large numbers who see
this inequity happening around them are dissatisfied with those they have voted
for merely perpetuating the status quo, albeit with minor tweaks of
differentiation between parties. No wonder that such “indignados” [as they are
known in Spain] respond when they hear a siren voice. This may be a voice from
Left-field, as has occurred in Greece [Syriza] and Spain [Podemos], USA
[Sanders] and here in UK, with Corbyn; or it may unfortunately and more
commonly these days come from the Right: Farage, Trump, Le Pen, Wilders etc.
Political sirens must offer a braver new world, with
charisma, articulacy and passion if they are to convince not merely their
tribal followers but a substantial proportion of the voting public too. Herein
lies Corbyn’s problem. He offers a socialist alternative model, true, with
honesty and sincerity, which has brought to his banner thousands who had long
felt disowned by politics and thousands more who were hearing the possibility
for the first time of a politics in tune with their values. But his message stops
there. Beyond the converts lie the public, deaf to his way. Sad as it makes me
to say it, socialism is a minority sport, even within the Labour Party, at
least at present.
Unless he can create a credible vision of a country people
in their millions want, we will not go much further with Corbyn. To date, with open
goals available for social ownership of rail, opposition to Brexit, mass council
house building, State care and more, his Labour Party has devoted itself to
infighting and invisibility.
Brexit has done it. Trump has done it. The people
wanted them, despite their being palpably flawed. Labour, the people’s party,
is no longer seen by the people as in tune with what they need. We who care
about the values only it espouses, will patiently have to ride out a period of
survival whilst we try to look for the role, the leadership, the political philosophy
and policies which may bring us one day back to the fore. Trump, Farage and the
other demagogues of hate will be found out, surely, by events which it will be
painful to witness and experience.
Sorry. Happy Christmas
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