COVID19, Capitalism, greed and social dysfunction.
When I first started this blog, it was in response to the punishing impact of Tory austerity measures. Austerity was proposed by the #Tories to address the financial failings following from the Labour government, which has since been sustained by a decade-long disingenous and dogmatic diatribe against #Labour, and a shocking denial for any responsibility following from the impact which has arisen as a result. The sad truth is that the Tory policy of austerity has proven even more damaging.
I'm not proposing that Labour were perfect as there were clearly many failings during the Blair years. Had Tony Blair had the foresight to recognise the impact from the absence of border controls alongside the addition of new EU members in 2004, Britain might be an entirely different country now. However, retrospective criticism is easy with hindsight. Perhaps had the economy been handled better during the boom years, there would have been more money available to support the country through the fallout from the banking-imposed global recession.
Similarly, the Tories have much blame to answer for. Tory politicians who obtained their education for free, were quick to pull the rug up on future generations, converting post-secondary education into an exclusive priveledge and benefit restricted for the rich virtually overnight. Rich foreign money was courted to purchase expensive education far beyond the reach of the proletariat. The Tories were happy to support continued and unrestricted growth in property values, willfully overlooking dirty money flowing from around around the globe, washed clean with full support of Tory policy, rapidly raising property values beyond the hopes and dreams of all but the richest portion of the population. A perfect storm as the masses were all but forced into legalised slavery of rental. With the Tory sell-off of council housing, this made private landowners filthy rich, often funded from public money to The 'protest' vote which resulted from the Referendum was a tragedy beyond measure. Rich Tories managing to pull the wool over the eyes of the poor with well-funded messages, abuse of social media, sleek catchphrases, falsehoods and the ability to exploit the worst of humanity - xenophobia and jealousy. Standard for Tory politicians, David Cameron was clueless of the public sentiment allowing the referendum to progress like some sort of 'tick-box' exercise. Clearly gobsmacked by the outcome of the vote, he abandoned ship like the rat he always was. What kind of stupid doesn't consider both options of a binary vote? He risked the future of the entire country on misplaced arrogance and hubris; and lost. Of course, he's a millionaire, so his loss from #Brexit will be trivial. The loss for the generation of youth remains incalculable.
What followed was a demonstration of political incompetence beyond measure as Westminster politics collapsed like a house of cards and politicans fell over each other in their eagerness to escape blame, responsibility and accountability.
#COVID19 is highlighting failings and oversights which have developed over years. Hopefully some lessons can be learnt allowing us to make long-overdue changes to redress long-standing wrongs, establish capacity for proactive strategies in case of future epidemics and improve the balance within society. Similarly, there must also be some accountability for the misdeeds of the past and present.
Politicians whose greed was highlighted by the expenses scandal and the Tory majority who have delivered themselves eight pay rises during the last decade, despite having imposed eye-watering austerity measures on the masses. These same politicans who cheered when they blocked an increase in the pay for nurses and firefighters. The same nurses and medical practitioners who they have begged to return to save the country at the time of need. Such treason cannot be allowed to go without repercussion.
The gig economy which has enabled business to profit at the expense of the most poor within society, which has similarly increased the risk posed by #COVID19. Business benefits by avoiding the expense for inclusion of job security and social safety nets at the expense of the public purse in times of need. For decades, the benefit for business has taken priority over the need for social responsibility. The Tories made much of 'living within our means' in their speeches regarding the need for austerity, all the while empowering business to progressively strip this capacity away from the public.
The Bank of England has reduced the base rate to a minimal level, yet the banks which were the cause of the financial crisis have failed to reduce credit card interest in response, #profiteering from the COVID19 crisis unchecked by the Tory government. Payment holidays for mortgages is a token action compared to what banks could offer as help, especially considering the decade of austerity millions have suffered as a result of their failures in the first place. The British public suffer, the economy tanks whilst the money lenders wallow in unjustified wealth. I wonder how much donation money the Tories have received directly and indirectly from the city bankers and financial institutions? Far more than Labour or the Liberal Democrats I reckon.
However, there remains opportunity for change. The global shutdown has also highlighted that planet Earth can heal. Clear skies over China, life returning to the canals of Venice. #Climatechange can be reversed if we learn to mend our ways and change our habits.
The UK is far from the only country guilty of failings. Over the next series of blogs, I will propose solutions for a better future. A 'common sense manifesto' of sorts. I hope others might join me with suggestions and criticisms. Please return to this blog as I update with my thoughts. I will be grateful for criticisms and suggestions.
We can change the world for better but change takes time, requires volume and would likely prove most effective with collaboration.
I'm exhausted by the failings of austerity, politicians lies, and the selfishness and greed of business. I still dream of better days and I'll never tire of trying to achieve change. Without hope for better, there is no hope.
