Even in an age of austerity, government has plenty of power and assets, which it could on a small-scale, experimental basis transfer to the control of community groups.
“This is the most important job of your political career so far – and there’s a lot riding on what you make of it. On this one you need to make a difference.”
But unless his fully-developed vision of the future can capture heart-and-minds, I’d expect control of the party to stay with the mainstream.
Since I last surveyed the political landscape in 2013 and 2014, some ruling tribes have been cast down, and some formerly lost tribes have risen to rule.
While the responsibilities of government must be shouldered, there’s no doubting the need for a time of renewal – one as profound as in any period of opposition.
To reduce investment in infrastructure or R&D is to take away from the future – just as surely as running up unsustainable debt does.
The shrinking of opportunity allied to the visible influence of crony capitalism makes for a poisonous brew.
Shielding individuals from anything that might trigger negative memories goes against well-researched psychological practice.
Women have their freedom of movement curtailed in ways that most men don’t even have to think about.
When advertisers use images of impossibly thin models to promote their products to women, there are complaints; but the promotion of unattainable maturity to teenagers is also deeply suspect.
From the perspective of 1997, a description of current events would seem like the ravings of a lunatic.
Some – but not enough – economic development has the effect of making migration a realistic option.
Childhood and adolescence are vital periods of socialisation when young people should be learning how to be part of a multi-generational community.
If you’re a factory worker who hasn’t a proper pay rise in years, the fact that the tax lawyers and brand consultants are doing nicely isn’t much comfort.
Has easy access to unlimited information brought about a new renaissance, a cultural flowering the like of which the world has never seen?
