We’ve all done it ~ misunderstood people, said things that we shouldn’t have done but unlike Gordon Brown we’ve not had a radio mic still live after we get into our cars. Naivety, stupidity, error – he shouldn’t have done it and I think his body language in the aftermath of what may well seal his fate in the forthcoming election depicted both a contrite and broken man. I don’t think he’s been the greatest leader of the Labour Party but having once met him and hearing lots about him from people who know him well, I have never doubted his integrity or the principles and values that are rooted in his Christian faith which took him into politics and continue to inform him as our Prime Minister. Whilst the television debate has enlivened for a few hours a pretty lack lustre campaign, I despair that the election is so driven now by the media which is the biggest voice in British politics and that style and spin will inevitably in such a context win over substance.
When the Murdock Empire that dominates British media declared their allegiance to Cameron, the rubbishing of Gordon Brown began and even before the gaff and the television debates, he was destined to be portrayed as a failure and a flop. I listened to the final debate on the radio travelling to Dublin last night and whilst many independent pundits say that Brown performed well on substance, revealing intellect, depth, knowledge, conviction and commitment, he is simply not media savvy. The clever marketing spin of a well oiled Conservative marketeer, [who to my surprise has not had a good election campaign] will nevertheless probably win the day. This despite the shock of someone in Nick Clegg who is clearly a very astute politician and has played the media brilliantly although his policies were beginning to fray at the edges last night when they came under scrutiny. Scripture says pray for our leaders and we should. And we should think carefully about who we vote for. Not on the grounds of what they will do for us as individuals but for the greater good of society and the world in which we live.
I genuinely fear a Conservative government that will no doubt address some of the economic mess that we are in but at what cost? Cutbacks will impact us all but particularly the poor, the vulnerable, the weak and disadvantaged in our society and the impact upon public services will wreak havoc to education, health care and welfare systems. I lived through the 1980’s ministering on a council housing estate in the North East of England and I saw the impact of free market economic policies devastate whole communities, some of whom have never recovered. I saw the rise of a capitalist individualism that damaged society to this day. Next week will be interesting but could potentially be very disturbing.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
