I'm pessimistic enough to agree with all your points and would also flag the American "Reverse Reagan Republicanism" as showing political problems aren't restricted to the UK.
However, the pendulum must swing back from collectivism to economic freedom at some point.
Although a leader with the ability of Thatcher is a very rare thing I believe long-term optimism must be kept.
Have a look at the 1973 essay by Arthur Koestler, The Lion and the Ostrich, which he contributed to a series titled "Suicide of a Nation?". Koestler described how the class structure of England and the mores of the workers and the "toffs" made Britain the sick nation of Europe after World War 2. This is remarkable because, in the Victorian era, Britain was described as the workshop of the world, ruler of the ocean waves, and arguably the premier world power.
This was shortly before Thatcher appeared, but Tony Blair undid her good work, and Britain reverted to the trend that Koester described.
The article makes very good points, and I share the sentiment. On a positive tangent, look at the sorry tale of the UK car industry in the 1970s and 80s. Then the Japanese came (during the Thatcher period) and ran the most productive plants in the world, with British workers.
While I resist the common temptation to look for a political messiah, I do think there is an opportunity for politicians with courage who are prepared to honestly lay out the position, and the ability to speak to people in a way that shows they've actually ever met a human being (which I believe is the sole reason for Farage and Reform's popularity). "We can't go on like this."
I'm pessimistic enough to agree with all your points and would also flag the American "Reverse Reagan Republicanism" as showing political problems aren't restricted to the UK.
However, the pendulum must swing back from collectivism to economic freedom at some point.
Although a leader with the ability of Thatcher is a very rare thing I believe long-term optimism must be kept.
Have a look at the 1973 essay by Arthur Koestler, The Lion and the Ostrich, which he contributed to a series titled "Suicide of a Nation?". Koestler described how the class structure of England and the mores of the workers and the "toffs" made Britain the sick nation of Europe after World War 2. This is remarkable because, in the Victorian era, Britain was described as the workshop of the world, ruler of the ocean waves, and arguably the premier world power.
This was shortly before Thatcher appeared, but Tony Blair undid her good work, and Britain reverted to the trend that Koester described.
https://www.amazon.sg/Suicide-Nation-Enquiry-State-Britain/dp/0099425114
The article makes very good points, and I share the sentiment. On a positive tangent, look at the sorry tale of the UK car industry in the 1970s and 80s. Then the Japanese came (during the Thatcher period) and ran the most productive plants in the world, with British workers.
While I resist the common temptation to look for a political messiah, I do think there is an opportunity for politicians with courage who are prepared to honestly lay out the position, and the ability to speak to people in a way that shows they've actually ever met a human being (which I believe is the sole reason for Farage and Reform's popularity). "We can't go on like this."
Corbyn got 40% of the vote in 2017 which scared me but it was Covid lockdowns that alarmed by showing the UK's true colours.
We have many great people and hard workers in the UK but they are a dwindling population.
Sadly, we are a sinking ship and it is time to abandon ship.