Hi Tom, Steve and
others,
I realise I should have made it
clear I have in mind a war-time cross-party coaliton such as in World War
II. I was far too young to understand how it was set up (Google offers,
through Amazon:
- but it involved suspending party politics. Clearly it could
only be invoked at a time of dire emergency, but that could come quickly without
much warning - especially were there a catastophic flood, heat wave,
energy or financial breakdown - hence the need for preparation. I
certainly would not expect parliamentary parties or individuals to vote for it
otherwise.
Cheers from Jim
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 10:40
AM
Subject: Re: Coalition Government for the
climate crisis??? [S1&CF]
Isn't Jim's point that a coalition would present the truth, in
that there will never be a return to a 'golden age' of low energy costs
(though golden for whom? you may ask? ) If this view gets enough air,
Steve's yammering politicians might be seen for the vacuous opportunists they
will be. Tom
At 17:34 10/06/2008, Wright, Steve wrote:
Dear
Jim,
Why would the Tories go for a
coalition when they scent labour blood? It is a common problem with single
issue politics - a belief that the one agenda is of universal concern. There
is a means end gap too - the fuel protestors want cheaper fuel so they can
motor more... Paradoxically youre more likely to get support for a
contradictory call for cheaper fuel prices.
Examine the debate in Manchester on congestion charging - its
obvioulsy necessary but for real people with real increased short term
commuter costs - the programme is a vote loser... It is likely the
Manchester Labour group will bring charging in to take the
public transport sweetner the government is offering them then become
severely punished by the electorate for being
responsible....
Alas thre truth that
is and the truth that should be are vastly different. Were about to see a
massive series of knockons fronm the steepening fuel costs. Food costs are
already rising and heating costs will accelerate at paces unseen before.
Consuming less would seem a desirable goal within the climate change context
but when the images of starving people and the suffering of the dispossessed
poor start to be spattered across our screens, all major politicians will be
yammering for fuel price cuts. There is a Darwinian logic to much of this
and it isnt pretty, humane or politically sustainable.
Coalitions to deal with climate
change are a non-starter in the British system until ordinary people see a
win win outcome for voting that way. The outcome of any convergence between
the parties on fossil fuel issues is probably going to be climate damaging
since the stability in living costs weve enjoyed for several years is seen
as normal. We will head into the next election with chilling warnings about
the era of cheap food, cheap fuel, cheap transport being over.... Whoever
promises a return to earlier days will enjoy a higher return than one
promising increasing and more expensive denial. I think party politics is
100 years out of date and essentially we have to learn to think and act in
new ways without holding out any hope that the party system will be anything
other than self serving...
Of course
i could be wrong so here is the quote of the day I read in our
international reflections:
'Minds are like
parachutes. They only function when they are open'. Sir James Dewar
Steve
- -----Original Message-----
- From: Discussion list for the Crisis Forum [
mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of SoW Net
- Sent: 10 June 2008 16:57
- To: [log in to unmask]
- Subject: Fw: Coalition Government for the climate crisis???
[S1&CF]
- Importance: High
- Are you prepared to demand a
coalition government in the UK to take commensurate action on the looming
climate crisis?
- Not immediately, but at a
pivotal moment, with prior preparation now - gathering as many
high-profile supporters as possible.
- The idea came to me on reading
articles and in the Guardian about the road tax and fuel protests on 28
May - with similar protests now spreading across western Europe. An
article by Gordon Brown that day 'We must all act together' appeared to me
calculated to buy off radical environmentalists, and among some good
letters telling him to stick to his guns (unlike the time of the 2000 fuel
depot blockade) and strengthen the Climate Change Bill, one asked for a
'cross-party pact to support legislation to cut down greenhouse gas
emissions'.
- But if we really wanted to
emulate war-time conditions, as evoked from time time by Andrew Simms and
Mayer Hillman (and probably others), cross-party pacts are not going to be
enough - for political parties will still vy with each other for votes and
corporate favours, appease the electorate and fail to take anything like
effective action.
- So please tell me if you would
support a collective demand for a coalition government?
- I look forward to hearing from
you.
- Best wishes from Jim Scott,
- chairperson,
- SAVE OUR WORLD
- Visit:
http//:www.save-our-world.net (global) and www.save-our-world.org.uk
- Registered charity no. 1111210
in England & Wales
To view the terms under which this
email is distributed, please go to http://disclaimer.leedsmet.ac.uk/email.htm
Dr Tom Barker
SWIMMER (Institute for Sustainable Water, Integrated Management, and
Ecosystem Research)
Nicholson Building
University of
Liverpool
Liverpool
L69 3GP
0151 795
4646
[log in to unmask]
Support Contraction and Convergence -
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