Twas the night before

A guest post by Samuel Miller

Righto. I’ve got the same artisanal baps on order that we had last year and Mrs M. will be making what is probably the world’s most potent (lethal) brandy butter to hide the taste of the shops own Crimbo pud. The turkey (small budgie) is being artfully prepared to resemble something larger and more impressive with the use of multiple packets of supasave stuffing and an airpump, so this WILL be quick. Also? There’s an exceptional bottle of Astifallindoonjuice with my name on it and nothing, but NOTHING, will get between me and my fav butt crease on the couch for the next week and a half.

Let’s keep this short and to the point for the sake of the Crimbo season and peace on earth.

Stupidgate aside, the sum total of the end of year business in Westminster was the alienation and disenfranchisement of a massive demographic within the UK. Oh, and we discovered that Ohhhhhh Jeremy Corbyn isn’t really capable of walking on water after all. In fact, his feet are well and truly rooted in clay. As for Mr McDonnell’s declaration that he could see Labour ‘working together’ with the DUP? Well? Not entirely unexpected really tbf. Seemingly Labour would deal with anyone in Westminster but the SNP, so long as it suited their political agenda of course. Or is there some other conclusion we’re all missing here?

This currently, is what Westminster parliament is reduced to. (No, I can’t quite believe it either.) The populations of these islands are hanging off a cliff edge and the two (supposedly) most senior placed politicians in the land are having a playground spat and the media (our watchdogs) are absent without leave (with only an odd very rare exception).

The explanation for the past two weeks of self harm? Labour apparently were, and until we’re all otherwise notified, waiting for the exact right moment to pounce. Their version of ‘Now is not the time’ kinda thing.

We’re literally a hop and skip away from what looks increasingly like a ‘no deal’ Brexit, thanks to their actions (some might say inaction), and Labour’s explanation is that it’s all been a cunning plan. Uh huh!

It couldn’t possibly be that as the official party of opposition in what is essentially a binary system of politics and for all the period since June 2016, they’ve remained as riven and confused as the Tories. The same ideological divisions, yet with less of a sense of purpose, direction, or identity than their chooms across the chamber. Their leader? Some would say he has some explaining to do to his membership around now. Regardless, Labour won’t be rescuing anyone from any kind of Brexit and the events of the past fortnight should make that abundantly clear by this point.

The only real opposition to the UK government and the Brexit narrative has come from the third party of parliament on down over this period and that should shame that chamber and the population it supposedly represents. A party by the by, that none of the above even want to see there (OH, the irony!), mainly because it upsets their hegemony and damages their calm. Can’t have northern oiks who don’t know their place lecturing folk on democracy, representation, or on how to govern the plebs. (tsk)

Basically around half the populations of these islands have no voice, no representation and no rights as things stand between UK gov and their honourable (?) opposition. How do either of those parties fondly think that’s going to play out in the future? Hmmm? When you alienate and disenfranchise half your population, do you think they’ll just shrug, forgive and forget what’s been denied them or is being done to them?

UK politics isn’t merely broken at this point. It’s seismically fractured. The populations of these islands are facing constitutional crisis, economic crisis, societal breakdown and political chaos. All of which has been brought about mainly by Conservative and Labour’s practice of politics. The outcomes of those biblically ignorant and arrogant practices almost inevitable some might say.

And those two (HM’s government and its official opposition), are STILL mucking about with party politics as if sitting in a big chair matters a damn.

At this time of year especially, you’d think that putting childish games aside for the good of ALL of those in your care might have been an idea? Apparently not. The duty of any government, any leader, isn’t a serving suggestion. Your job is the care of ALL of your population without fear or favour. When you ignore near half of that population? You shame your government, your parliament, your democracy and yourself.

Probably something to keep in mind when folks question Scotland’s First Minister and her stance around a people’s vote and supporting a representative voice for all peoples in the UK. Something that’s become popular in threads these days (shrugs). Might be that political maneuvering is in there somewhere.

It might also be that it’s about someone simply doing the right thing by their office and a very human service to ALL those in their care. Worth a thought.

 

Our host is currently taking a well deserved leave of absence to be with his husband at this time of year. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all readers, both regular and new, ALL the very best of the festive season and a grand new year when it comes. Hopefully, 2019 will see more than a few Christmas wishes granted. 😉 (winky thing)

Also? It’s a big ask at the moment for all the obvious reasons, but anything you can spare for local food banks, clothing charities where you are? Pretty certain that’ll be more than appreciated.