The new world order, spelled out with eloquence and tact by the Belmont Club.
I’m fortunate to have a left of centre party leader who understands exactly what the world is now. I certainly have less faith in the UN than he demonstrates but at least he’s not willing to be chained to it when something needs to be done.
Does anyone else in British Politics get this? I’m not convinced Michael Howard does and I know for a fact that Charles Kennedy doesn’t (although whether Charles Kennedy gets anything other than “annoying after 10 minutes” is debatable).
The only Conservatives that I knew without a shadow of a doubt, appreciated just how the world had changed were Iain Duncan Smith and Michael Portillo. IDS isn’t the Tory leader and Portillo has declared that he’s calling it quit on politics (astonishing really, given that he had taken the place of Chris “appeasement works” Patten as the only Conservative I could bring myself to vote for). I’m sure there are many in the opposition who grasp the matter, but I’m not that familiar with the Tory front bench.
Britain, as it stands can guarantee affirmative action in taking on the challenges of the new world for at least 5 years - allowing for a labour re-election or a special-relationship friendly Tory party. The US presidential elections will only answer the question, as to whether Britain’s assistance is wanted for the coming 4 years - it will still be clear to many of us that it is needed. The brits are loading up on the landing vessels - will the yanks be sailing with them?
Later
John
Posted by John Swaine at June 23, 2004 03:00 AM | TrackBack