I said the other day, or week, that I was intending to share my views on the UK’s new Prime Minister, Gordon Brown. I started that, and it was an interesting read let me tell you, but I think I was been a touch narrow in my scope really. The UK is not the only country to have a new leader, and to be fair I don’t even live their anymore, so I thought I would take a more continental approach and look at Europe as a whole. By the way I heard it said recently that in Britain we view ourselves as the Continent, and the rest of Europe as the Island, can’t really argue with that! Anyway, for now I WILL write about Brown and the UK, but that, as they say, is just the beginning….
Tony Blair has been the Prime Minister of the UK for all of my adult life. I remember him being elected, I remember watching that old guy on the news with really bright shirts getting excited playing with his “swingometer”, and I remember becoming vaguely interested in politics for the first time. I am not crediting Blair with this; I think it was just coincidental timing. And now he has gone. It’s very difficult for me to judge him really, as I have nothing to compare him to. I remember John Major, I remember Margaret Thatcher, but I couldn’t tell you anything about a decision or policy or speech either of them ever made. So Blair has left the building, heading for the Middle East (and he hopes the Nobel Peace Prize) and we now have the robust figure of Gordon Brown standing outside Number 10. I think it is fair to say that we will see a number of changes over the coming years; a concentration on domestic policy, an improvement of the public services and health system, less spin and PR opportunities, and hopefully some genuine opposition from the Conservatives.
Blair’s period of office was dominated by the American lead War on Terror. I won’t criticise him for that, in many respects he had no choice but to participate, and participate fully. But his stubbornness and reluctance to listen to the people ultimately lead to his departure from office. Personally I didn’t agree with the invasion, and subsequent occupation of Iraq, but what is done is done, it is what we do now that counts. Brown, I imagine, will slowly begin to pull the troops out, despite his recent trips to Iraq and Afghanistan as part of his quest to become leader, I don’t think the climate in the Middle East suits his Scottish skin. Domestic policy, as Brown is acutely aware, is what makes or breaks a leader. This is where he will concentrate, and rightly so. The UK is economically strong, the pound is booming, and internal investment high, but socially we are in the dark ages. Our hospitals and public transport systems are a joke (unless you go private or live in London), the education system is a one-size-fits-all solution to a thousand different problems, and needs urgent overall, and both culturally and morally there is room for serious improvement. In my opinion Blair has papered over the crack somewhat on most of these points, announcing ambitious plans for city academies, and new hospitals, and then losing interest as soon as Bush called on the Bat Phone. But, if we were to believe everything he told us, we would think the UK was something close to Utopia. With Brown, I hope, we will hear the truth. For all the negative press he has received regarding his Scottish roots and dour personality, I look at it this way: I would rather have the leader of my country tell me the truth, albeit in a dry, boring manner, than be lied to by a smiling public schoolboy. I like Blair, don’t get me wrong, but after 10 years of teeth and arm waving I’m ready for a change. And I’m sure the same applies to you too, so for now, that is that. Part two will follow shortly….
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