tories

it is great to see that the old battles and old prejudices never seem to die. just as we have seen new labour do the one thing that old labour supporters would recognise with the banning of fox hunting with dogs. (while ignoring pretty much everything that "old" labour stood for).
the tory party under michael howard (who seems to have shaken off the something of the night quip of anne widdecombe - though that could be he is made to look like a nice chap by the antics and attitudes of david blunkett) has once again returned to their old favourite of quotas for immigration.
but hold on they are not racist policies says mr howard as he reminds us
"He cited his parents' own experience as refugees from fascism in the 1930s to prove his good intentions when it comes to the issues of asylum and immigration.
"Everything I have I owe to this country," he said. "My family came here with very little and made a life for themselves."
except now after he has benefited from the escape from fascism he and his party want to close that door to all but the skilled, qualified and english speaking (being rich wouldn't hurt either).
but look it's not about being racist... OK!
it's about giving the benefits his family had when they came here and of course making britain a better place because of their diversity (and willingness to work in crap jobs).
so lets get it straight this is not a racist policy. (look just stop sniggering).
read the article here and read his full speech here

now i have no love for the tories.
i cried the night maggie was re-elected. i cheered on a tube train when i heard she had resigned (i was surprised the driver, who announced it over the tube's tannoy, didn't run the full length of the train cheering such was the jubilation in his voice!).
but there is a part of me that feels sorry for them (and because of their weakness i feel we are poorer as a country).
they have seen new labour come along and steal their clothes, seen them take over the centre right ground and leave them desperate for policies that keep them distinct from new labour, allow them to still appeal to their members without having to make a style choice of black shirts or white blankets.
so as they move more and more to the right they leave new labour an easy run into their third term in power, and a potential third term where they have no real opposition.
and (geez this started off as a rant at the tories .....) it's not like they will be radical government freed of not having to worry about opposition......

meanwhile the tories will go on fighting the old battles
no to europe
no to immigration
and they wonder why no one votes for them.