Meeting held on Monday 18th October
12 people were present. Apologies were received from four.
The UK has the highest rates of Covid infection in Europe. The numbers are rarely put into any context either by comparison with other countries or with other forms of mortality. Despite high anxiety generally about this, the Tories are not blamed and remain popular in polls. They have very good PR as well as support from Tory media and a compliant BBC. Some psychological analysis indicates that people who voted Tory and Brexit would tend to have a commitment which is difficult to move, despite evidence. Nevertheless, once standards of living drop noticeably, won’t Tory support wane? This support could be based on ‘false consciousness’ of those who think, for example, that higher taxes for the rich are bad as they punish success.
In this context “Levelling up” lacks meaning. No definition, objectives, or account is given by government of what policies might help. Instead ‘flagship projects’ are announced loudly which go nowhere near compensating for past or planned cuts (eg in universal credit) giving a false appearance of levelling up. Once people become aware that standards are not rising, no doubt the Tories will find an ‘enemy’ (Europe, immigrants, global warming) to blame.
We considered how more investment is needed in the North. But there could be a danger in thinking of levelling up just in terms of North versus South. It should rather be about increasing equality by wealth redistribution. We again expressed disappointment in lack of Labour Party critique of the Tory agenda. In viewing ‘levelling up’ instead in terms of The Poor vs The Rich there needs to be more clarity about the relevant measures: economic, wellbeing, life expectancy, etc., and policies: getting rid of public schools, greater investment in public services, etc. PR (or a Progressive Alliance) might be essential to achieve this. But Labour Party was not enthusiastic about this although, at Party Conference, support was increasing. Perhaps next year?
We noted how the Queen was recorded stating that she was fed up with politicians who just talked but did nothing about climate change. Since the Queen does not make political statements, her saying this indicates that this view is no longer considered political. It is now an established (establishment) ‘fact’ that politicians now need to act. This demonstrates a sea change that has taken place in attitudes towards the environment (if not towards the need for greater equality). Some hope here?
The NEXT MEETING will be on Monday 15th November.