For all the talk of reform, ordinary people have lost interest in party politics

[LeftishBrit]

(I'm not a total fan of Suzanne Moore, especially as she has at times slept with the enemy, i.e. written articles for the Daily Mail. But in this article, I think she makes LOTS of good points):


Although there has been an outpouring of nostalgia for proper trade unionism to somehow come back and save us, the failure to unionise poorly paid private-sector workers, from the catering industry to call centres, has meant that the often-wrong perception of unions as male and overbearing prevails. The divide-and-rule narrative has worked, rather as the "Labour spent all the money" one has worked. I see it often, as most of my friends work in the public sector. Their fantasies about private-sector pay, pensions and benefits are entirely based on those of bosses, not workers. They see suits, not cleaners. Such misconceptions play into the hands of those who would drive all pay down.

But if party funding were to be capped, as Miliband suggested, then the Conservative party, financed by bankers and tax-avoiders of all descriptions, would shrivel up and die. Labour would also be in deep trouble. Whoever funds the Lib Dems already is, though it is more than possible to imagine in your worst nightmare that Nick Clegg may again have the casting vote in who governs after the next election. Imagine this, and then imagine no political parties. It's easy if you try …


...Millionaires imposing cuts on people whose lives they not only fail to understand but actively despise is a crie de coeur we make but it is not heard. Labour's defence of "ordinary" people when the party contains so few of them any more becomes problematic. "Ordinary" people may or may not discuss the crisis of neo-liberalism, but it has doubtless sent party politics spiralling. The idea that, as with "growth", it will all return to normal is backed up by hope, not evidence.

We are regularly warned that contempt for politicians is a bad, adolescent attitude. It could lead to fascism or Farage. The mood remains, though. Not only are they all the same; they are not even properly in charge. Cheerleaders for involvement may find a generation who know nothing but the narrative of austerity and are happy to cut the state. For when political parties are mere crisis managers, this is but another consumer choice than many people are simply refusing to make. The sense that someone else is running the show – bankers, Europe, multinationals – is no longer the province of the radical left. It is now the realisation of the radical right. It is telling that a young Mark Zuckerberg wrote out his credo as "companies over countries". The nation state exists, but when the head of Google glides in to talk to Cameron about tax arrangements it is he who is doing us a favour...


(Much more at link):


http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jul/10/people-lost-interest-party-politics

[Laelth]

1. Excellent essay. k&r for exposure. n/t

-Laelth