hello

[storeynicholas]

Well, my view is that there is very little difference in the policies being offered by any of the UK parties: they all now have 'think tanks' which are engineered to engender vote-catching policies. These 'think tanks' all think the same, because they proceed on the bases of the opinion polls. Therefore, the parties just engage over who could give the most effective realization to the same policies and call each other less efficient in that endeavour - but, to liven it up, a little, they just add personal abuse and insult and any serendipitous 'revelations' about personal misdemeanours of the individuals on the 'other side' into the pot - to make themselves more sensationally attractive to an increasingly gullible electorate. For my part, I would rather hear robust debate, over substantive issues; like that once heard between,say, Churchill and Atlee. And before you say, as you might, that Atlee introduced the NHS, I would just add that Churchill played a large part - not just in saving the civilized world (or what was left of it) - but he had also introduced the beginnings of the welfare State (as a Liberal MP too), with the labour exchanges in 1911.
NJS.

[Swark]

well the problem is that no politicians have the backbone to stand for things that are right and make good sense rather than vote grabbing. i find that the character flaws of the fictional Jim Hacker are becoming more prevalent but that his basic good nature and genuine desire to do some good are in decline.

[RWS]

. . . . do you know the images i mean though? like the one of reverse chalkstripe in the cloth club section.

Swark, the illustrations are taken from Apparel Arts (generally referred to as "AA" in the Lounge), a handsome magazine from the interwar years and, sadly, no longer published. Some others come from Esquire ("Esky") during the same period; I think that that magazine is still published, but quite changed.

[Swark]

yes i saw a reference to esquire and searched it, it seems to have changed considerably.

[storeynicholas]

I am grateful to RWS for the reference to what 'AA' meant in context; given Swark's references to alcohol use, I (maybe excusably), thought that it meant something quite different!! I agree with you, Swark, that men of principle are lacking in public life in the UK - much as I disagree with his basic premises, I greatly admire Tony Benn - because he says what he means and he means what he says - but there we are - the end of an era and, as I say, you represent the coming generation. Maybe you can make a difference. I think that you might. I hope that you can.
NJS.

[Swark]

well i hope so my chosen (eventual) field is medicine and i already get worked up about the health service.

[storeynicholas]

I used to work in it myself - Oh! many moons ago. It is a great service to mankind and, until failrly recently, at least, the biggest employer in western Europe and, I believe, close behind the Indian Railways, as the biggest employer in the world - but just don't count on the pension nowadays!! - or, at least, drawing it while you are still able to go to the bank yourself!!
NJS.