Some people believe that cyclic party swings are inevitable and has nothing to do with policies or popularity! There are times when it certainly seems like that. And I think also, that this is a pernicious evil of the system.
For example, there are things which one party will do but the other would not dare to do. For example a Labour Government would not realistically privatise an industry, but would feign objection when a Conservative Government were so to do!
During the 17 years of Tory rule in the UK, VAT leapt from 8% to a swingeing 17.5%! Also working practices and strike rules were heavily modified. These are typical "right wing" philosophies along with privatizing everything under the sun.
Needless to say, the opposing Labour party were “officially” against all of this. Yet after 10 years of a “New” Labour Government, all the Conservative changes are still firmly in place!
Now, Tony Blair and company have well and truly blotted their copy book due to the atrocities in Iraq. So will conveniently lose the next General Election!
One thing is for certain, however. Should the Conservatives win the next election, as sure as summer follows spring, VAT will be increased to 20%!**
The right wing German Government have already done this, and it is something Gordon Brown could not do but would have loved to!
Yes it is very convenient that there are popularity swings and it would be folly for me to suggest that there was a bit of rigging going on!
This is just one of the “politics of democracy”, the wonderful system we want to inflict on the Iraqis.
Footnote: **That prediction was easy. And when Labour get back into power, the 20% VAT will stay firmly in place!
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(posted May 2007 & updated Aug 2011)
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