Today is one of those days when I look at the news and wonder what there really is to write about.
Labour is in a mess. It appears that rules were bent to make Starmer the leader. Andy Burnham is sniping from the sidelines with no clear route to becoming his replacement. And the party believes that spending some money on a lick of paint on shops in the poorer parts of England will, somehow, change its fortunes when it comes to Reform, which is naïve in the extreme.
If the Tories still exist, no one has heard of them of late.
The Lib Dems and Greens are being ignored.
Reform is getting publicity for no reason whatsoever.
And no one is talking about the core fact that the problems we face are the result of the failing political ideology that dominates every one of these parties, including Reform, which is neoliberalism. Its focus is on ensuring that whatever value is created within the economy is delivered for the benefit of a few, and not the majority of the people in the country, and that is our problem, defined in one sentence.
Lifting my head above the parochialism of Westminster and London-dominated politics, no one in England appears to be paying any attention to the fact that the people of Scotland and Wales are making it very clear in recent opinion polls that they want out of the English mess.
Looking further afield still, Trump is giving us the clearest possible indication of what will happen if Farage gets into power here, but nobody seems to see the connection.
Meanwhile, the hideous genocide in Israel continues, quite unaffected by the ridiculous announcements of the recognition of the Palestinian state by the UK and other countries this week, all of which were preconditioned on their continuing colonial rights to dictate to the Palestinian people what form of government they might have.
Similarly, the superpowers continue to play games with Ukraine, and people will die today as a result.
It is easy to see why people are completely disillusioned with politics. The incompetence of politicians, the poverty of their thinking, and their total inability to come up with answers to any known question, including how what I might describe as ordinary people can have some hope restored to their lives again, are all glaringly apparent. It's not even clear that they think this task is within their remit anymore. That is what is so depressing.
Three things follow from this.
First, this is why I am spending time on this blog thinking about broader conceptual issues and why they pose questions relevant to today. Unless we acknowledge that the paradigm we are living in is broken and that we need a new one, we will go nowhere.
Secondly, in this context, while I will never agree with those who look towards Reform for an answer, I can understand the frustrations that lead many to do so. Reform cannot, will not, and has no intention of solving any of the problems of those same ordinary people in the UK to whom I have already referred. It is, quite simply, totally uninterested in their well-being, as is apparent from everything it says and does. But it pretends otherwise by providing a means of distraction, and because people find no answers within the mainstream political parties — because there are none — they are rewarding Reform as a result. What that makes clear is that until those mainstream political parties stop thinking that a lick of paint will solve problems and begin to address the fundamental issues that they have created and must now solve, they will have no answers to any known problem within this country.
Third, I am off to London this morning to record a podcast with Zack Polanski. At the very least, this will be interesting. I have met more leaders of the Green Party than any other UK political party over the last few decades, and co-authored with one (Caroline Lucas). I have not met Zack before. I'm curious as to the questions he will ask me, and I've been given no indication in advance. The question at the back of my mind will be very clear. Throughout the interview, I will be looking for one indication, which is whether or not he is looking for a new paradigm. That's what we need. Is there a chance that he is looking to frame it? There is no perfect candidate. I just hope that somebody wants to, and he does at least have the chance to talk about it.
I don't believe that's an unreasonable desire. I think it's a reasonable hope, both for a political system and for the people whose fortunes it does shape. Time will tell whether this is now the goal that the Greens are setting for themselves. I will be watching.
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All the best with Zack, hopefully there will be plenty of MMT/money talk!
Hmm… it will be interesting to hear your thoughts on Zack Polanski’s economic and monetary views. As far as sensible thinking people are concerned the Reform Party may as well change its name to the Swan Rescue Party (out of its depth in matters that require workable policies).
Good alternative name
I use Trump Franchise Party
I hope your meeting goes well – it does seem that he is someone who is prepared to tell a different story.
I would certainly dearly love to find a political home and an opposition that I feel represents my hopes for a fairer future.
Reform is a reaction by ordinary folk to the total failure of Westminster politics. (NHS, provision of basic social goods (energy, water etc), education, transport, jobs)
The Brexit vote was a reaction by ordinary folk to the total failure of Westminster politics. (synthetic austerity, impoverishment, no jobs, no future)
Support for Reform and support for Brexit map quite well onto those areas of the Uk that have declined – because of a total failure of Wezzi politics and sadism on the part of the tories (Cammoron & co ad naseum). It cannot be beyond the wit of political-man to provide basic services and some level of dignified employment to UK citizens. But apparently it is – given the last +/- 40 years (with a very brief period when things were marginally better under B.Liar & Brown). At the heart of all this lies the London money machine – which metastised under Thatcher into an uncontrollable monster (the Big Bang caused that) that the amateurs in Wezzie are unable to control.
And in case you think the Uk is unique in having politicos that are clueless ref the political economy – the EU is no better. As I noted on another blog – Claude Termes – ex-energy minister Luxy – admitted to knowing not much about finance matters – on which he defers to Draghi. What could possibly go wrong?. Leaving the open question: who is pulling the imbecile Reeves’ strings.
We certainly need something to change. Reform are not the answer (unless it is to the question ‘Who will totally, absolutely and finally destroy this country?). But, sadly, when we need politicians who will work together across a broad, progressive spectrum to improve this country for everyone there seems to be very few prepared to do that.
Craig
P.S. At least the sun is shining here and it looks like it will be a nice, autumnal day
It’s so depressing, and alienating, that the media keep highlighting the nonsense that Farage and Trump keep spouting. What was that latest headline about immigrants eating the king’s swans, for goodness sake… ?
It’s so damaging, because of course their whole purpose is to distract, to fill the media with right-wing ‘culture wars rather than real issues – how to stop excessive rent extraction, or how to get the resources they need into our public services, or end child poverty, or curtail harmful advertising, or get to net zero – or indeed any of the real issues. The Green Party has more elected MPs than Reform, and far more local councilors, and have much more important things to say – but where are they in media coverage ?
The media will no doubt argue that Farage and the extreme right are ‘making news’. Well – exactly !
Even the swan lies aren’t new – Farage is recycling myths that have already been debunked.
In 2003, The Sun found itself in hot water over its front page “Swan Bake”. According to a Press Gazette piece at the time, the story read: “Callous asylum seekers are barbecuing the queen’s swans. East European poachers lure the protected Royal birds into baited traps, an official Metropolitan Police report says.”
Presswise, at the time the press regulator, investigated and found that no one had been charged in relation to such an offence.
The Sun printed a correction:
“While numerous members of the public alleged that the swans were being killed and eaten by people they believed to be eastern European, nobody has been arrested in relation to these offences and we accept that it is not therefore possible to conclude yet whether or not the suspects were indeed asylum-seekers.”
The new paradigm needs to be built around the following understanding:-
“Most people want a society that works for themselves, not for everyone.” The truth is the opposite – the only society that works in the long run at all is one that works for everyone. Hence the collapse of the Roman empire where the rich were allowed to indebt far too many citizens.
The headline news today that nine out of ten of the areas where primary school school numbers are falling the most are in London reveals how the rot has set in:-
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/london-primary-school-uk-birth-rate-b2832859.html
Interesting.
I might use that data….
The data is not surprising in the slightest. A form of economic ethnic cleansing has been going on for years as housing in London becomes totally unaffordable combined with the lack of social housing. What building there has been is more about luxury flats for overseas investors or as weekday pads for the wealthy – just look at the South bank of the river, lined with new tower blocks of flats.
Covid then accelerating the process as people found they could work from home and only commute a few days per week. My daughter and family are a perfect example along with many of their friends. The average age of our village, an hour from London, has come right down and the village primary school is thriving
Good for the villages then…
Old Street is also littered with those absurd £million + flats, I noticed yesterday
Looking forward to listening to your podcast with Zack Polanski. There surely have to some glimmers of hope in our bleak political landscape. He certainly appears to be an excellent communicator and also prepared to listen and learn.
Good luck with Zack- fingers crossed and all that!
Thanks to you and your associates for keeping on keeping on.
Might it be appropriate to include in a possible new paradigm “Sustaining Democratic Socio-Economics?”
Might such lead to an expectation and actuality of “Economics”/Socio-economics which leads with the living/existing conditions of the poorest/weakest and not the most powerful and most wealthy?
The reasons for this suggestion include the risk factors presented in your previous article with some additions, as it seems that paradigms are of greater worth as they address the omissions and vested interests of the current, possibly unstated, paradigm/s.
1) Oligarchy/plutocracy vs. democracy
2) A bi/multipolar world with the decline of the (unstated) American empire and the rise of the B. R. I. C.s etc.
3) A war inclined European leadership
4) The American policy of extracting money from its allies in the hope of compensating for its de- industrialisation
5) Oligarchic/plutocratic control and manipulation of the main stream media and the major education system
6) Regular citizenry and children being exploited through Neoliberalaism/Austerity
If, as seems possible, the most powerful guiding/controlling theories are those of Economics/Socio-Economics then, as you are doing, the sooner that the social part is widely and deeply understood to be fundamental to this area of knowledge and, alas, propaganda, the better.
Might the new paradigm also include proportional representation which would seem to validate democracy?
Might compulsory voting, with the option of “None of the above because”, be worth consideration?
The Labour Party’s wizard in chief, McSweeney, must have it in hand to buy shares in certain paint manufacturers because based on what I see around my part of the East Midlands the number of closed properties on our towns streets, or other properties in disrepair are in the tens of thousands.
Two example, serve to illustrate my case. I’ve lived in Nottingham since 1979 (with relatively brief periods working elsewhere) and I can safely say that I’ve never, ever seen as many empty shops and properties in the city. Never. And that’s despite numerous building being bought and turned into student accomodation.
Additionally, in recent weeks I’ve visited Belper twice. This is a town that won the “Best High Street” award in 2019. It’s a town that sits on the Derwent river (now sadly just a large stream, with its tributaries upstream, like the Lathkill, now entirely dry and grown over – but that’s another story), which is famous as the source of the water that powered the mills of Richard Awkright, at Cromford (a few miles up the Derwent), and has it’s own magnificent 5 storey red brick mills – one of which is built around an iron frame, and as such is a forerunner of the skyscraper. The whole of the Derwent Valley – from Derby through to Cromford and beyond – is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site as it’s the cradle of the industrial revolution.
But despite all that, and the efforts of the local councils and volunteers, the two magnificent mills are very badly in need of repair. And, given the history of the mills – which is globally significant – in many other countries across Europe and more widely, if local government or enterprise doesn’t have the money to do something about this, then central government would step in. But no, not here in the UK (except in London, of course). Here, the paradigm, of inaction is simply to accept the slow demise of once grand buildings, high streets, and more, while, simultaneously, the rich accumulate ever more grand and expansive estates in certain desirable parts of parts of England, Scotland and Wales. Meanwhile Farage/Reform march on in many parts of the land.
Agreed
https://www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/2025/09/24/reform-durham/
I don’ think they will last long in Durham.
Richard I’m so glad you are both making time to talk to each other. It will be I’m sure a fascinating listen. Is this for Zack’s podcast? If so, I admire his bravery as you will not be an easy person to interview and whilst I think Zack is in intelligent he’s not a former academic like Caroline Lucas,who being a very thoughtful introvert would be much more like you in approach.
I totally agree we need a new paradigm. The old system is not working and has not been working for a very long time, especially as we face the challenges of climate change peak oil. There are plenty within the Green Party who see this, but like all parties it is a broad church, so not all will see this and many disenchanted forner Labour voters are looking for a new left wing home, without necessarily understanding the deeper issues.
I don’t know how much Zack gets this, but I hope you can have a constructive and thought provoking discussion and hopefully the beginnings of a friendship journey and collaboration, something the Green Party is strong on.
We may be cheeky and ask Zack to be interviewed by us as well…
Caroline and I got on well
She needs to be in the Lords
Be cheeky. Zack seems to be open to wide coverage, so I’m sure he would say yes. I like that he’s willing to be interviewed in environments pretty hostile to him and his views, and can firmly stand his ground. He gets that you won’t win people over by only speaking to the converted.
Caroline really is an amazing person and she would be excellent in the Lords. I suspect she’s enjoying a break frontline politics for now though. She was at Greenbelt several years ago and involved in 3 very different talks. I’ve put the link below. The second was about her as a person and was absolutely fascinating as she has a PhD in romantic poetry and being an introvert doesn’t normally talk about herself. The third talk was a panel with Rowan Williams and Paul Mason about the state of our democracy. They pretty much agreed with each other despite coming from very different viewpoints and it was one of the most interesting panels I’ve been to.
https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/talks-archive/#~Caroline%20lucas
Zack ha agreed to appear with us.
I should ask Caroline.
As Chris Hedges said of the US election this is what we have to look forward to with reform:
“In the end, the election was about despair. Despair over futures that evaporated with deindustrialization. Despair over the loss of 30 million jobs in mass layoffs. Despair over austerity programs and the funneling of wealth upwards into the hands of rapacious oligarchs. Despair over a liberal class that refuses to acknowledge the suffering it orchestrated under neoliberalism or embrace New Deal type programs that will ameliorate this suffering. Despair over the futile, endless wars, as well as the genocide in Gaza, where generals and politicians are never held accountable. Despair over a democratic system that has been seized by corporate and oligarchic power.”
Correct
Some estimates are that up to 250,000 members left (or were purged) from the Labour party since Starmer took control.
While some of them undoubtedly transfered to the Greens, the vast majority hasn’t – Green Party membership is currently around 75,000 (England and Wales).
Some, like myself, have voted Green on the basis that they were the least-worst option, but that’s not the same as whole-hearted support.
In 2019 and the advent of Starmer I looked seriously into the Greens as a viable alternative. At least I tried to.
The official website listed my local party, but the link was to a Facebook page, and one that hadn’t had any new posts in over a year. There were no other contact details.
The local Greens stood candidates in local elections, so there obviously was some kind of organization in operation – but how did you get to join in ? It seemed like a secret society, and eventually I gave it up as a bad job.
I may have been unlucky, and my local group was the exception. Or perhaps not, and that’s why they only have 75, 000 members.
The ‘Your Party’ sign-up of 800,000 suggests that lots of people don’t see the Greens as a viable alternative either. Despite its rocky start, I think there’s more potential to opposing Reform and their neo-liberal / racist agenda via that avenue. (I’m not a member, BTW. I’m holding back to see how things develope).
My local Green Party is a disaster zone of about 5-7 random individuals, mostly vegan, with no local profile.
John
I’m genuinely curious as to why you mention that they are mostly vegan?
Perhaps you could help them out in that case John instead of taking a sideswipe at some random vegans. The Green Party is made from human beings so yes, therefore flawed and with more than the odd policy that needs fixing. But if it’s the “least worst option” Eastmoor help to make it better. Not all local parties are active but where they are they give up countless hours, weekends and evenings talking to residents, campaigning, fund raising and building support. And witness two local authority by-elections from yesterday – they keep reform out. We all need to be finding positive ways to do that – as a matter of urgency.
Look on the main national Green Party website.(England & Wales) Scotland for Scotland also N Ireland.
An interesting chart here from weownit
The green party is the only one that wants public ownership for everything, apart from Your Party which isn’t set up yet.
https://weownit.org.uk/news/public-ownership-party-scorecard-blog/
The current issue of Private Eye (page 14) has a paragraph on Zack Polanski’s recent political history. It will be interesting to see if he is a genuine prospect for leadership, or just another glory seeking wannabe.
Like many others, I live in hope.
My summary, he was a LibDem. So?
I know Zack has seen Stephanie Kelton’s film, because we saw it together at the UCL screening.
I can tell you he is a fan of hers, having just recorded
This is very good to hear. I just hope that Zack can manage to cut through the noise and get some decent air time on popular media outlets. It seems that Garage and co have to do very little to have the red carpet rolled out for them.
I have no doubt in my mind that new and interesting ways of keeping Scotland and Wales tethered to the Westminster shambles are being wargamed across Whitehall.
At the moment those with most to lose from social change are the ones in charge of it. How silly is it to believe that the current political mindset can take us through the challenges of the next 10/20/30 years.
And yet no-one is talking of the need for a radical re-think, instead the general media/political consensus seems to be :-
> fiscal rules must reflect the logic of the household budget
> private sector investment based on borrowing is good, public sector investment based on borrowing is bad,
> crypto currency trading should be normalised
> the enrichment of a tiny %age of the population is unavoidable
> government borrowing costs should be set by market speculators
> the fiduciary obligations of company directors are consistent with the redistribution of income
> foreign policy should be determined by a man incapable of dialectical engagement
> everyone in Palestine is a potential terrorist, 700,000 settlers in the West Bank are torchbearers for freedom and the Judeo- Christian ethic
> a two state solution is possible even though it has been vitiated for 58 years
> there was no free and fair election in the Ukraine in 2010, the elected government was not violently and illegally overthrown in 2014
> Nigel Farage could be the next Prime Minister
> Elon Musk must be intelligent because he is a billionaire
God help us!
Indeed
On Politics Live today (25 September) Jake Berry (ex-Tory party Chair, now Reform) attacked Andy Burnham for ‘economic illiteracy’ whilst himself spouting household-analogy fears of the ‘bond markets’. Neither the Chair nor either of the other two panellists raised an eyebrow.
Too late I noticed (I was on catch-up) that the BBC was now inviting comments (bbcyourvoice@bbc.co.uk; http://www.bbc.co.uk/yourvoice ) and two or three people had indeed responded to some issues.
But I felt ‘Richard Murphy ought to be answering this!’ It would probably require somebody watching the programme live every day and alerting you as necessary.
Do you think this is a good idea and if so do know of such a person?
If anyone wants to promote the idea, feel free.
Pippa Crerar, Peter Walker and Jessica Elgot have all managed to write “in depth” Guardian articles about the Labour Together/Starmer/Morgan Macsweeney undeclared donation scandal without mentioning Trevor Chinn once.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/sep/25/what-is-the-labour-together-row-keir-starmer-risks
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/sep/23/tories-demand-inquiry-into-claims-labours-mcsweeney-misled-elections-watchdog
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/sep/24/keir-starmers-relationship-with-his-chief-of-staff-faces-biggest-test-yet
Under the current paradigm there seem to be words that aren’t in the Labour_Starmer-Guardian glossary – like “genocide” and “Trevor Chinn”. I wonder why?
This comment is profoundly depressing in the sense that it suggests that UK democracy has been compromised to the point that it now would seem that it’s possible UK party funding can be used by other countries to achieve their objectives through rich individuals with British nationality. Clearly this has be stopped and punished if attempted. It’s bad enough that mainstream media can be controlled by rich individuals to pursue their agendas but now political parties can campaign on one manifesto but hide having another.
Which is exactly what Starmer did in his leadership campaign. 10 fake pledges and he concealed the donations from Chinn till AFTER the vote, even under direct challenge..
Ive just discovered I have a vote in Labour’s deputy leadership election through membership of an affiliated organisation.
So who should I vote for? I dont support or trust either of them. But which one might hasten Starmer’s departure? The runes suggest Lucy Powell and she has Burnham’s backing. But I remember her role in the sabotage of Corbyn in 2017. I can’t remotely consider her as even soft left. But if it would speed up Starmer’s departure, I will do it for my country…
Powell or Phillipson?
(The affiliate organisation, which has several cabinet ministers on board, is backing Phillipson btw)
The devil and the deep blue…
So right – we need a new paradigm. I am reading The Victorians by A N Wilson. He may as well be writing a blog about today which I think was part of his aim in writing the book. The Victorians set the scene for virtually everything that is happening today – the aristocracy / oligarchy that runs the UK and keeps the hoi polloi in its place with the Westminster duopoly; the press whipping up distraction fairytales mainly to posit an ‘other’ to blame for intentional inequality; etc etc.
On your commentary above I do query your use of the word “incompetence” in relation to politicians, I’m inclined towards “cynicism” but that is to ascribe too much intelligence to them! However, the people behind politicians – so-called think tanks and advisors – are extremist ideologues fervently and very competently promoting neoliberalism. The last thing they want is for politicians to think their remit is to exercise curiosity and open mindedness as to possible policies and operating systems that will deliver and sustain equality, security, sufficiency, and so on for everyone.
BTW a piece of news you may have missed … Barclays Bank have reduced their funding for Israel’s debt seemingly as part of risk management:
https://johnhelmer.net/barclays-bank-pulls-out-of-financing-israels-genocide/#more-92395
“New figures reveal that in the midst of the famine stage of the Gaza genocide, and the mounting global outcry against the Israeli Government, Barclays has plummeted to near-bottom of the league table of international banks accepting to buy, hold, market, and trade the foundation stones of the Israeli economy, Israel’s bonds.
This isn’t a stumble on the big bank’s part; it’s a strategic retreat. The numbers suggest Barclays has slashed its purchases at auction to a trickle, potentially diverting hundreds of millions in capital away from the Israeli war machine. The question is no longer about profit margins or Zionist enthusiasm in the boardroom—it’s about reputational survival. Barclays, a bellwether of the British establishment and Anglo-American banking, is voting with its balance sheet, and its verdict is a blow to Israel’s financial capacity to win its long war against the Palestinians, the Arabs, Iran and Turkey.”
I had missed it.
But Barclays has always been way behind the curve, as they always were on apartheid.
I’ve met Zack Polanski twice now – both times very briefly after his speeches. I really liked him. I fully expect the MSM to dig up stuff on him, but he has, as far as I can gather, always replied honestly when asked about things in his past.
The one attribute he has which is far and away the most compelling is his gift of communicating to people across divides. All ages, all political opinions and all topics. People don’t have to agree with him, but they are listening. He also has a personality which is open and charismatic.
Farage, I’m afraid to admit, also has the gift of communication. He too has charisma, and until recently, was the voice of the “working man”. That appears to be stalling, tf. He’s beginning to look seedy and grabbing, which of course he is.
Despite their glaring differences, they are both “siren voices”. Put them alongside the occupants of both Front Benches, and those occupants look like wet cardboard cutouts. Starmer is grey and one dimensional, so he attracts and selects similar non entities.
As I’ve mentioned, I think, a KGB Colonel asked us why we kept on electing mediocrities. Comes to something when the KGB can put its finger on the problem.
Media Lens latest alert address the very issue of the msm taking down Polanski…
https://www.medialens.org/2025/sixth-form-politics-the-propaganda-blitz-awaiting-green-party-leader-zack-polanski/
Noted
Andy Burnham is being particularly criticized by the Labour hierarchy for a ‘cavalier approach to the bond markets’ with his ‘reckless approach to the economy’ mirroring that of Liz Truss. You have previously commented on the role of the Bank of England in that situation and the problems of a coherent macroeconomic strategy with an ‘independent’ central bank. Given the current political reality of that ‘Independence’ how could a similar result be avoided when trying to fund significant new investment? A video would be great.
Noted…