Some Weekend Musings
Rab Butler, the once nearly Prime Minister, used to say that he learned most about the mood of the nation from the station master at Saffron Walden when he arrived in his constituency for the weekend. It is a worthwhile observation.
In 1997, such was the excitement and optimism surrounding the Labour victory, even in the most unlikely circles, that a perfectly rational businessman friend of mine told me that each morning he consequently felt cheerful and uplifted about the day ahead. The Blair honeymoon lasted so much longer than anybody could have imagined. Then the twinges of doubt appeared, then gradually disillusion, and then contempt. Needless to say, out of tact I never asked, but that morning spring in my friend’s step must have evaporated a long time ago.
I sense we are at a further stage. Anger and disappointment is being replaced. It is actually becoming quite funny. Watching Government Ministers trying to spin their way out of the shambles in the Home Office, the NHS and in our foreign policy – it is simply risible. Ministers talk as if they are inhabiting some disembodied sphere. When they justify themselves on the radio or television programmes audiences are beginning to laugh. Tony Blair’s performance on television yesterday was surreal.
It was good to have this pointed out to me as I was back in the real world of West Suffolk again. Barbara Windsor, Sid James, Hatti Jaques, Kenneth Williams – pity they aren’t making Carry On films any more – a new script is being written currently each and every passing day in Westminster and Whitehall.