This is very good. The link in the tweet is live:
The UK is a democracy in name only, our politics captured by the ultra-rich. And now the oligarchs' oligarch is our unelected Prime Minister.
Everything we value depends on wresting power out of the hands of this plutocracy. pic.twitter.com/ig9qHjET5v— George Monbiot (@GeorgeMonbiot) November 1, 2022
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Thanks for posting that link Richard. It is indeed VERY VERY GOOD.
🙂
Absolutely brilliant!
Why do we have to have music behind these things. It sounds like shit.
Other than that, Monbiot is great – I hope that he stays healthy and well. He says nothing that is new to me but he just says it so well.
Thanks for sharing.
Everyone believes you should
The tik tok influence
I am nit sure why
I wouldn’t
George Monbiot nails it, but who is listening? Thanks, Richard, for the link. I’ll share it on Facebook and Twitter but doubt many will pay any attention.
I think this is a good statement of the case for tactical voting and constitutional change, but makes everything seem too easy.
There are many difficulties. One has already been alluded to – who is listening? Two recent surveys (IPSOS-Mori) showed that on the continent inequality is the second issue of importance for people, whilst in the UK only 14% mentioned it. Perhaps this is the measure of the influence of the press which George spells out.
On the constitution its refreshing to see the case for deliberative democracy and decentralisation being made. Our current leaderships may just deliver PR, and even that is proving difficult (look at Labour). On its own PR is insufficient – someone here noted it needs the right culture for cross party cooperation, if you look at Isreal say, you can see almost permanent right wing coalitions.
Another difficulty is related to funding; it asserts that “the rich” have more than enough money which if taxed would be sufficient to revitalise public services. Viewed internationally they obviously do – but within UK (1) is it true, what does the data show (2) how do we get at it when it will flee the country at the first hint of a wealth tax if its not of shore already?
Lastly there is the amount of damage that has already been done that cannot be fixed overnight which will be exacerbated by public impatience and (over time) by climate impacts.
It’s one thing to be upbeat and positive, but it seems like preaching to the choir – its not sufficient to skate over difficulties – the practicalities matter; how do we start from here?
I don’t have any easy answers, its a good upbeat video; support Compass, and grass roots activity like the Enough is Enough campaign, and live in hope.
The difficulty in this country is that while PR is very popular when exposed to public assessment, it threatens the control of the two main parties. The Tories may be diminished by even-more-far- right parties or split. Labour, having decisively moved right and still moving, will be even more threatened by the Greens in particular gaining representation, not to mention other fractions such as Northern Independence. Hence, Smarmer’s rejection of actual party policy (including PR) – a feature of his soft coup – and the institution without Conference of total policy shifts.
It’s not going to happen, in reality. The plutocracy is now only a matter of what can be got away with (viz austerity, scapegoating immigrants etc) with the fallback of Smarmer if public disorder is effective.
How do we stop this, how do we get them out! They are destroying our lives, our country and the world! I’ve shared everywhere I can!
The pity is that Monbiot knows nothing about MMT as shown clearly in this video. For example suggesting that if Sunak’s wife had paid £20 million in tax that could have been used to provide public services, which we know is not true. Have you ever tried to approach him, Richard? What is needed is a high profile journalist like him on board. Yes, even more high profile than your very good self.
You are right
I should mail him on that
Dawn, the simple answer is we can’t. The game is fixed, the dice are loaded, etc. The Police Bill will ensure that any form of dissent can be criminalised, even if not criminal (another point made by Monbiot, as well as legions of lefties), the Lords is now more stacked with cronies than the US Supreme Court, the culture war of the GOP is being directly imported through our current Cabinet (via the ERG and 55 Tufton St) and is also the MO of Smarmer’s regime (see Peter Oborne and Middle East Eye). It is almost impossible to have a dialogue of any meaning with current politicians even down to local level. Raising issues with Tories (apart from my idiot MP Fabricant, who is unreachable) gets the “It’s Labour and the EU” excuses or flat refusal to engage (as with local attempts to investigate the marketisation of our local AONB Cannock Chase).
Brexit has started a rolling revolution that will last at least a century. A proper federal constitution is essential, but all change is always opposed by vested interests. See women’s emancipation for an example.
When we do get a proper democratic constitution, it will take another half-century to fix the mess. Decent skills? They cannot be conjured up without deep educational reform then time for the labour force to benefit.
Ceasing to be a joke, or even pitied, in the world? This needs EU membership, but the existing members are fed up with Britain and their electorates will not allow any special membership terms. Spain would threaten to veto membership over Gibraltar.
There is an alternative course to a proper constitution. Do as little as possible, then Scotland will break away. Northern Ireland will come to some sort of accommodation with the Irish Republic. What then for Wales? The default outcome is England alone, the permanent playground for oligarchs as Monbiot describes. Avoiding this default outcome requires compromise and consensus, something that England hates. (I am English but living elsewhere).
I have replied before to Monbiot about MMT so it may help if you do too Richard. BTW I was part of the crowd that watched/listened to your presentation at the Levy Economics Institute Summer Seminar. Well done.
Thanks
I will do