Yes, I've been thinking a lot about that incredible night. Doesn't seem like 10 years does it? Sometimes it seems as if the country is completely different now, and in other ways it feels as if nothing has changed. I think people will be arguing about Blair's flawed, contradictory, radical and yet timid government for decades to come.
One thing I think is certain - the Cabinet of 97 seems a hell of a lot stronger, and more left wing, than the one today.
I remember I was living on the Isle of Skye then, and a group of us stayed up late watching and cheering as the results came in. I suppose it was a pivotal point for our generation because we'd only ever known a Conservative government for as long as we were aware of politics.
Of course, being an SNP supporter, I'm keen to see what happens in Scotland today! Might give us an interesting Scottish parliament!
Were you able to make a legitimate vote afterwards? What a fiasco!
Personally, I'm feeling more ambivalent about the Scottish independence question. I suspect it would actually make less difference than both sides claim.
I dunno, the consensus among my lowland, middle class workmates is it would be a bit of a disaster for Scotland. Probably not the majority view of the populace though.
It seems to me that, even with a government at the depths of popularity, roughly two thirds still voted for parties opposed to independence. For the SNP to ever achieve its aim it will therefore have to continue its process of becoming more mainstream, and to take votes off Liberals, Tories, New Labour etc. The dream of a socialist Scotland, or the Right wing fantasies of a low-tax, deregulated Scotland both seem pretty implausible. Politically and economically, I think an independent Scotland would be pretty similar to how it is now.
The only big difference might be in foreign policy/defence, which is actually something I'd welcome. It would certainly make the likes of Trident, Iraq war etc more difficult.
9 comments:
Yes, I've been thinking a lot about that incredible night. Doesn't seem like 10 years does it? Sometimes it seems as if the country is completely different now, and in other ways it feels as if nothing has changed. I think people will be arguing about Blair's flawed, contradictory, radical and yet timid government for decades to come.
One thing I think is certain - the Cabinet of 97 seems a hell of a lot stronger, and more left wing, than the one today.
I remember I was living on the Isle of Skye then, and a group of us stayed up late watching and cheering as the results came in. I suppose it was a pivotal point for our generation because we'd only ever known a Conservative government for as long as we were aware of politics.
Of course, being an SNP supporter, I'm keen to see what happens in Scotland today! Might give us an interesting Scottish parliament!
I'm considering spoiling my ballot paper...
Much of the cabinet is pretty mediocre these days - perhaps that's part of the reason for the declining support.
As for Scotland - interesting times! I no longer know what I think would be a good outcome.
I *did* spoil my ballot paper. Accidentally! I was one of the 100,000 who failed the built in idiot test.
Were you able to make a legitimate vote afterwards? What a fiasco!
Personally, I'm feeling more ambivalent about the Scottish independence question. I suspect it would actually make less difference than both sides claim.
I dunno, the consensus among my lowland, middle class workmates is it would be a bit of a disaster for Scotland. Probably not the majority view of the populace though.
Oh dear. If smart people like you mucked up the ballot paper, they must have really cocked up the design. Didn't they try testing it on people?
It seems to me that, even with a government at the depths of popularity, roughly two thirds still voted for parties opposed to independence. For the SNP to ever achieve its aim it will therefore have to continue its process of becoming more mainstream, and to take votes off Liberals, Tories, New Labour etc. The dream of a socialist Scotland, or the Right wing fantasies of a low-tax, deregulated Scotland both seem pretty implausible. Politically and economically, I think an independent Scotland would be pretty similar to how it is now.
The only big difference might be in foreign policy/defence, which is actually something I'd welcome. It would certainly make the likes of Trident, Iraq war etc more difficult.
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