Has Britain Lost Its Democratic Way?

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The USA certainly seems to be having a wee bit of trouble with democracy at the moment, and they aren’t alone. All over Europe, various countries seem to be having something of an issue with democracy too, not least The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Quite what the USA and European countries can do about it is a mystery to me. Mind you, quite what Britain can do about it is equally something of a mystery to me.

Increasingly, more and more people are starting to recognize that, for want of a better way of putting it, ‘the old order changeth’ – as Alfred, Lord Tennyson once wrote.

Whether, ultimately, ‘the old order’ will emerge triumphant remains to be seen but, at the moment, it does appear that, rather than be, as we have always been in living memory, a liberal democracy, we are turning into more of a straightforward ‘right’ or ‘left’ country.

The ‘left’ insist that anybody not agreeing with them over anything is a far right fascist, while the ‘right’ insist that anybody not agreeing with them over anything is a far left Marxist.

The ‘left’ believe the ‘right’ are evil and mad, and the ‘right’ believe the ‘left’ are evil and mad.

Those few of us wandering around a more ‘central’ stance on many things are inclined to agree with both of them on that point.

Britain, at the moment, is not behaving as a liberal democracy – at least, not like any liberal democracy I am aware of. It is behaving as a completely divided nation between the political left and the political right.

Those trying to maintain some semblance of moderation – in other words, acknowledging the good from either side while pointing out what, in their view, is the not so good, are pilloried by both sides.

You’re either with them or against them.

Britain is polarized on so many things, it is difficult to imagine us ever returning to the liberal democracy we have previously been.

Brexit was, perhaps, a catalyst for what is happening – but even Brexit is divisive on both sides. The Labour party, ostensibly left wing, are officially now a ‘remain in The EU’ party despite their leader being a clear Brexiteer.

The Conservative party are a ‘leave’ party officially, despite so many Conservative MP’s being supporters of ‘remain’.

Not only is Britain now either ‘right’ or ‘left’, it isn’t even sure what bits are ‘right’ or ‘left’ anymore.

If you try and hold an intelligent debate or even a conversation with members of the ‘left’ or the ‘right’, almost certainly you will, at some point in said debate, be pilloried.

If you agree, for example, that poorly controlled immigration has been disastrous for Britain, the ‘right’ will applaud you. Unfortunately, if you then go onto state that some immigration – in other words, immigration that would have occurred under sensible, strict controls, such as doctors, nurses and professional people – has always been beneficial to Britain, the ‘right’ will howl you down.

The same with the ‘left’. Start off by commending immigration referencing doctors, nurses and pretty much anybody who has contributed to the wealth and well being of Britain, and the ‘left’ will nod appreciatively. Suggest that poor controls have, however, adversely affected some areas of the country and the ‘left’ howls of indignation will begin.

You are ‘left’ or you are ‘right’. Middle ground? Don’t be silly. No such thing. You’re a fascist or a Marxist depending on who is howling at you.

I vaguely remember a cartoon on TV. Bucky O’Hare. If you’ve never seen or heard of it, it concerned a Hare (Bucky), A duck with, bizarrely, four arms (Dead Eye Duck I think) and some other space faring animals, all whizzing about the solar system having adventures.

The spacecraft was called ‘The Righteous Indignation’ – I doubt the children watching quite understood what the name meant – or perhaps I’m patronizing 8 year olds?

Anyway, truth to tell, you could round up Britain’s political right and left now and send them into space in ‘The Righteous Indignation’ and, frankly, not only would we be shot of the lot of them, they would be in a very aptly named spacecraft.

Not only has Britain lost it’s democratic way and headed towards a ‘right’ ‘left’ split, it’s become a country of the righteously indignant.

It is frequently so funny watching and listening to these righteously indignant, I am almost relieved.

If they weren’t all so funny and absolutely a sandwich short of a picnic, you really would have to weep.

About Post Author

Neil Bamforth

I am English first, British second and never ever European. I have supported Oldham Athletic FC for 50 years which has made me immune from depression. My taste buds have died due to too many red hot curries so I drink Kronenburg beer and milk - sometimes in the same glass. I have a wife, daughter, 9 cats and I like toast.

fourdinners14223647@aol.com