I'd like to think that our government has a plan for what it's doing.
But I know it hasn't.
I'd like to think that in their uncertainty they will ask for expert help.
But I know they won't.
I'd like to think that the government would seek to promote calm during the crisis we face.
But I know they're fuelling anger.
I'd like to think that in all the confusion good sense might prevail.
But I know we live in a post-rational world.
I'd like to think that all will eventually turn out well, whatever the government does.
But that means all I am left with is hope.
And hope is what I am sticking with.
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I feel as if I’m living in hope too, but sometimes it feels more like denial. It seems that we need to go through this period where rank ignorance flourishes, and the truth is a pawn in the political game. My hope is that we survive this period without violence and hatred, and that we are all better educated at the end of it. For surely many of our fellow citizens have no idea how the constitution works, and have no understanding of the basic precepts we live by. An educated public would not stand for the travesties perpetrated by the Mail, Telegraph and Sun this week regarding judicial independence; it’s even worse that our elected representatives cynically play along, instead of standing up for the truth. We need to be strong, and we need strong voices in the public arena. Keep up the good work Richard.
Thanks for your conment
Apparently both Vesuvius in Italy and the San Andreas in California are getting twitchy. Also, Tambora is due for another one.
I think that what’s needed is some pretty thorough-going economic advice from an independent academic who is able to give opinions without fear or favour and who can speak truth to power. A government made up of career politicians and career civil servants needs an injection of original thinking from someone who doesn’t just trot out the tired old hackneyed clichés.
Paul
I just hope (1) that it is all over as quickly as possible and (2) there is some sort of epiphany afterwards that (3) it is seen that we have been seriously mislead and that (4) those who did this are made fully accountable.
It could be we’re heading for a ‘Dark Age’. Reactionary forces seem to be prevailing, both politically and intellectually. Those currently holding the reins of power are prepared to sacrifice the nation’s cohesion and well-being for their neo-liberal ‘objectivist’ agenda.
However, when one sees and hears the quality of opposition via the Internet, there is certainly hope that ‘things will eventually get better’, but I fear there will be many societal casualties along the way.
Of course I have no personal knowledge of her but, unlike her husband, I’ve always thought Michelle Obama to be naturally progressive, and that her influence has been ‘muted’ during her time in the White House. I like this quote from her: “You may not always have a comfortable life and you will not always be able to solve all of the world’s problems at once but don’t ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own.”
I wish she had been the candidate
Me too, but who can blame her – an extraordinary person longing for an ordinary life
Hope is a good thing. The question is, is it of a natural or a supernatural variety?
Natural hope can take us so far, but ultimately is as effective as kicking a tin can down the road. Old problems, if they are not dealt with, will resurface elsewhere.
Supernatural means beyond the natural. The first hurdle is to accept this as a remote possibility. The second is to work out the solution, knowing that it requires our best efforts, yet having only the hope, no guarantee, of success.
The govt’s plan is the same as any govt’s plan would necessarily be assuming it did not have as its primary objective to renounce the decision made through the referendum for UK to leave the EU, namely (after serving notice under Article 50) to leave, whilst negotiating continuance of those current trading and other arrangements with the EU it sees as desirable. But, since this government has from the first made clear that continuance post-exit of unrestricted free movement of EU citizens into UK is not negotiable and the EU has been equally adamant that unrestricted freedom of movement is inseparable from participation in the single market, which of the current arrangements there will be any willingness on the part of the EU to negotiate-on will only become clear after Article 50 has been invoked. So the sooner it is the better.
This is all blindingly obvious to anyone who has eyes to see and uses them. Until the negotiations are concluded, or break down, no one is in a position to predict what is going to turn-out to be on offer.
The “uncertainty” (about *aims*) you impute to govt is in your own head. The uncertainty about the ultimate outcome is built-into the situation we all alike find ourselves in as a consequence of the referendum decision to leave.
Technical expertise is undountedly going to be needed (eg in negotiating new trade agreements) in copious amounts, but the Civil Service is not totally incapable and means to draft-in outside specialist expertise to supplement their own are already in place and clearly will be utilised. But by the Civil Service not by the govt.
Does “promoting calm during the crisis” extend also to the govt’s adversaries, including those inciting others to mount massive street demonstrations if the Supreme Court should reverse the High Court’s decision on appeal?
“They’re fuelling anger” is code for “That i personally am angry is entirely the govt’s fault, and in no way my own”.
“Good sense” means “what I think” (because I am rational and everyone who doesn’t share my views is therefore ipso facto irrational).
“Hope” (perversely for a proclaimed progressive, it seems to me) is the hope that some way can be found to cause the majority’s decision to leave to, in effect, come to nothing. In other words the hope of subverting an outcome democratically arrived-at because you don’t happen to agree with it.
Ah, you only like “experts” if they tell you what you want to hear I presume you are referring to Professor Dougan, an expert in EU law; I recommend you try listening to his You Tube talks to educate yourself rather than just dismiss his knowledge- this one for example https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dosmKwrAbI Although I appreciate that brexiteers seem very reluctant to believe any expert and prefer to hear only the assertions that reinforce their own ignorance.
Could you explain how you know the government doesn’t have a plan?
Maybe this is their plan in action – might not be a plan you or I would like to see, but it may be their plan.
Who do you suggest? Any person from a big 4 of law firm immediately illicits a cry of foul. I agree with the sentiment but who do you suggest?
What is developing here, thought and behaviour wise, is a problem similar to that seen with climate change. Like climate change the problems surrounding the economy/brexit/finance are big, complex and any narratives are very closely controlled resulting in wide scale fatalism. ’I can’t affect any meaningful change so I’m just going to forget the whole thing.’ As the Labour party continues its painfully slow implosion, and providing no opposition in opposition, the shambolic government gets away with incomitance and gross inhumanity. The temptation again is to give up. When the Labour party emerges from its winter it might well have been reborn once again as a centerish neoliberal outfit and any political/economic choices will be minimal. It will be like going to buy a new car and being offered only an Austin Allegro, but in the two exciting colours of either dirty white or beige. The data on spending/borrowing over the 70 years
http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2016/03/14/taking-privatisations-and-pfi-into-account-the-conservatives-still-borrowed-the-most-over-70-years/
shows us that actual data does not necessarily have any effect on strongly held views. In this case the Tories repeated and massively successful work in painting Labour as the fiscally imprudent party.
In conclusion, and not wishing to be too melodramatic, in the absence of much else perhaps a bit of hope wouldn’t go amiss.
Have you considered offering your assistance Richard. Having ‘left the left’ behind with your progressive theories, it might be time for a truly independent thinker to flourish (assuming this won’t derail your academic accomplishments) ?
And this might finally det’ermine’ the recognition you so deserve.
I am happy to help anyone who asks
I see no conflicts with the academic role
We have disorder. Theresa May is floundering. She’s lost control. In this atmosphere, sitting around waiting to be asked is not going to work Richard. You owe it to your country to have your solutions considered before this opportunity for a new dawn fades. Don’t stand on ceremony.
But apart from lobbing them out there and talking to politicians what do you suggest?
And remember, I do have a day job
I also fear the isolation, that the UK will end up in a lonely place in the wilderness. The only mistake will be if leaders of men fail to appear. These days, the press wield the power to change , but also tolerate corruption and lies. You need to get your message out via the right channels. Picking the right transmission method is key. With the left having abandoned you, and the liberal / greens bereft of any real power, who remains that are worth of your true faith ?
I do not think the left has abandoned me
This blog is likely to be read 2 million times this year – a record
I am not sure I have lost influence there
Professor Murphy,
There is a definite need to increase your followers. You do have a day job. It can often be that you progressive and well thought out
ideas cause a jealousy to surface in political or civil service circles.
We need to get your message and thinking to a wider community of ‘thinkers with voices ‘ who will cause politicians to put their
brains in gear and seek real answers not tainted by a political agenda.
Keep shouting from the roof tops. Great work !
I love it that your blog invokes discussion. Of course te words are your opinion but at least it is based on facts with a body of evidence from experts not career politicians. Personally I trust most of your opinions over the politicians who have led our country into chaos and then have been allowed to walk away into other jobs with no doubt 6 figure salaries. How has Osbourne & Cameron not been prosecuted for the mess they left us in? Your blog today is short, to the point & I will post it on my facebook page so that others can also discuss & react as I agree with everything you say in it.