Margaret Thatcher's extremism has already been outdone

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Margaret Thatcher's extremism has already been outdone by this coalition

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree ... n-lib-dems" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Lib Dems have proved less of a moderating influence than One Nation Tories in Thatcher's first years

Ask any genuine socialist or progressive which was the most extremist British government since the war and it's long odds-on that they'd say one of the three administrations of Margaret Thatcher. But I believe that is now an outdated judgment. For when it comes to political extremism the present government has already outdone Thatcher.

The coalition, which its supporters ludicrously claims occupies the centre ground, seems hellbent on privatising the entire British state. Everything must go: our publicly owned forests, our postal service, our state-owned bookmaker, our air traffic control. And though the government denies that its health bill represents the privatisation of the NHS, there can be little doubt that it's real aim is to open the door for profit-hungry private companies to take over surgeries and hospitals.

Thatcher may have started privatisation in Britain, but even she knew when to stop – for instance, when it came to the Royal Mail. She also said that the NHS was safe in her hands and, in broad terms, it was. In just seven months, David Cameron – for all his pre-election pledges – has shown that the NHS is certainly not safe in his.

The haste with which the coalition is proceeding in its ideological crusade to destroy the last vestiges of the post-1945 settlement is in stark contrast to the more cautious approach taken by Thatcher when she came to power in 1979. The dominant neoliberal narrative is that she came in all guns blazing to rescue Britain from the horrors of socialism. The reality is that the Iron Lady's first term wasn't that radical at all. The really hardcore (and extremely damaging) neoliberal reforms (Big Bang, demutualisation of the building societies, the cutting of the top rate of income tax and the privatisation of the utilities), came later on in her second and third terms – when the threat of a Labour comeback was reduced after the SDP split. But the coalition, using the excuse of cutting the deficit – which as a percentage of GDP is significantly lower than it was in 1945 when the Labour government built the NHS and the welfare state – has gone into extremist mode right from the off.

Those who hoped that the Lib Dem presence in government would help moderate Conservative excesses have had a rude awakening. The Lib Dems have proved less of a moderating influence than One Nation Tories – such as Lord Hailsham, Willie Whitelaw, Jim Prior, and Sir Ian Gilmour – were in Thatcher's first years.

The reason is that Clegg, and his fellow Orange Book Liberals, are actually more keen on market forces and globalised capitalism than the so-called Tory wets were. In last year's election, the free market fundamentalism of the Liberal Democrats was ignored by many commentators and voters who saw their opposition to Labour's security measures, and their advocacy of electoral reform, as evidence that the party was progressive. But progressive parties don't enthuse over plans to privatise Britain's motorway network, as the "moderate" Vince Cable did, nor do their leaders make speeches in which they bemoan the fact that "we have nationalised education, nationalised health, and nationalised welfare". Under Clegg's leadership, the Lib Dems have moved from being a genuinely social democratic party – one which fought the 2005 election on a manifesto to the left of Labour – into a British version of Germany's pro-market FDP. That's why the Lib Dems of 2011 can quite happily vote for the effective destruction of the NHS, the sell-off of the Royal Mail and support Osborne's spending cuts.

Up and down the country, people are asking why their much-loved public libraries have to close, why the Royal Mail, in state hands in 1516, has to be privatised, and why our ancient woodlands are being flogged off. And why, if money is too tight to mention, doesn't the government make the bankers and financial speculators pay their fare share?

It's becoming clear that the coalition acts not in the interests of the majority, but the tiny few. A government that genuinely occupied the centre ground would be renationalising Britain's railways (as around 70% of the population desire), not giving even longer, 15-year franchises to the profiteering train companies, who are responsible for British commuters having to pay the highest train fares in Europe.

Despite strong evidence that his draconian economic policies are pushing us towards a double-dip recession,the chancellor, George Osborne, carries on regardless, blaming unions for holding Britain back.

As opposition to the government's market fundamentalism intensifies in the weeks and months ahead, expect those who resist to be labelled wreckers and extremists. But it's the trade unions, the student protestors, the library campaigners, the people who are joining groups to save their local youth service, or who are fighting against Andrew Lansley's health bill, who are the moderates. The real wreckers and extremists are those currently occupying the corridors of power.

[BELIAL]

Three parties ,one system no choice. Bring it on ,the sooner the better

[borders]

Spot on Belial , the cat is surely out the bag , what more evidence do the people need a corrupt system run for the benefit of the few.

[jack straw]

The guy who wrote this article is obviously too young to have lived through Thatcher's nightmare reign. Her legacy is one of misery and degradation for the ordinary working man/woman. Yet people still speak of her with fondness. Most of the 40 somethings I work with love her, even to this day. That is why the union has no clout. There are too many working class Tories nowadays within RM. Don't get me wrong this current ConDem lot are shite, but believe me not a patch on Thatch. >>SPITS>>

:dcfo :ncfo

[skull]

Don't get me wrong this current ConDem lot are shite, but believe me not a patch on Thatch. >>SPITS>>

:dcfo :ncfo [/quote]

But the ConDems are working at it and if growth doesn't return to the economy soon I think they will exceed anything Thatcher did . Anything not profitable or not accountable is worthless to the Tories . Our Royal Mail , Our forests , our libraries , further education , citizen advice bureau and social and Health services totally worthless to them and I can't beleive the LIB Dems are backing them up . Distgusting people . This sums it up they have taken £2.5 billion from people who are entitled to child benefit and only £2 billion from the banks .

If a Tory or LibDem person comes canvessing to my door I'll tell them to f*ck off . Labour are by no means perfect but at least they try to do their best for society .

[bexhil palace]

The guy who wrote this article is obviously too young to have lived through Thatcher's nightmare reign. Her legacy is one of misery and degradation for the ordinary working man/woman. Yet people still speak of her with fondness. Most of the 40 somethings I work with love her, even to this day. That is why the union has no clout. There are too many working class Tories nowadays within RM. Don't get me wrong this current ConDem lot are shite, but believe me not a patch on Thatch. >>SPITS>>

:dcfo :ncfo

I'm 40 Something, and i FU.KING hate her.
Party in my house when she goes the old witch.

[Darren Bent]

I feel after the experience of all three parties it is time for a new choice as none of them are good enough.

[fishtank]

Yet people still speak of her with fondness. Most of the 40 somethings I work with love her,

Who?
Where are these unfortunates so we can return them to the facilities they have so obviously escaped from?
Fondness!....like a fondness for Cholera and Smallpox and a love for the Bubonic Plague.
Dance on her grave?...i intend to recreate the entire score from Riverdance...i might have to start queuing soon though...tell me it will be soon...please.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Yet people still speak of her with fondness. Most of the 40 somethings I work with love her,

Who?
Where are these unfortunates so we can return them to the facilities they have so obviously escaped from?
Fondness!....like a fondness for Cholera and Smallpox and a love for the Bubonic Plague.
Dance on her grave?...i intend to recreate the entire score from Riverdance...i might have to start queuing soon though...tell me it will be soon...please.

Well if they bury her in Grantham they'll have to put the area on Flood alert the amount of people I know who want to relieve themselves on her grave.

[fishtank]

I suggest they just leave her on the surface TBT,otherwise i'm taking a shovel just to make sure.

[borders]

[andy2007]

While I hate the evil hag. I think it's going a bit too far, to wish she'd hurry up and die. She's a Human Being (at least I think she is ), with a Family. I'm sure they'd be sad to see her go. As would all the Fat Cats, who she helped get their wealth, on the backs of other's hard work.

[borders]

While I hate the evil hag. I think it's going a bit too far, to wish she'd hurry up and die. She's a Human Being (at least I think she is ), with a Family. I'm sure they'd be sad to see her go. As would all the Fat Cats, who she helped get their wealth, on the backs of other's hard work.

erm , let me think for a nano-second --- NO !!

[fishtank]

While I hate the evil hag. I think it's going a bit too far, to wish she'd hurry up and die. She's a Human Being (at least I think she is ), with a Family. I'm sure they'd be sad to see her go. As would all the Fat Cats, who she helped get their wealth, on the backs of other's hard work.

You're a decent bloke Andy...save your compassion for those that deserve and need it.
She is a cold hard-hearted bitch who ruined the lives of many decent hard-working people...and never felt an instant of remorse in doing so.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

While I hate the evil hag. I think it's going a bit too far, to wish she'd hurry up and die. She's a Human Being (at least I think she is ), with a Family. I'm sure they'd be sad to see her go. As would all the Fat Cats, who she helped get their wealth, on the backs of other's hard work.

You're a decent bloke Andy...save your compassion for those that deserve and need it.
She is a cold hard-hearted bitch who ruined the lives of many decent hard-working people...and never felt an instant of remorse in doing so.

While I might have had sympathy for Dennis who died in 2003 their children are not exactly top shelf progeny.

Mark - He would get lost on the way to the funeral, and probably arrange a coup in Africa on the way to it.
Carol - Will probably use incorrect language to describe the Vicar holding the ceremoney and then wonder what all the fuss was about.