No one can deny that the leaders from the past were often pretty ghastly. Inherited power is a pretty dangerous way to run a political system . Nepotism and oligarchies enable people who have no ability, to appear to be leaders, industrialists and even socialites of style. Each category has its own similar format. The right to act without the ability. So how do these things relate to our present leaders? Do the leaders who are lighting the pathways in the first decade of the 21st Century have the quality that gives them the ability to lead the way forward and make wise pragmatic decisions that will produce the necessary answers?

Frankly I rather doubt it. One of the reasons why we have such bad leaders here in England is because our leading politicians are mostly an appendage of academic achievement. Take Blair and Cameron. They both have the Oxbridge format which is a passport to high office. Law is even more direct but even the likes of, Blairs sidekick, John Prescott has proved that one can still make it via the unions even if they are intellectually obtuse and don’t realise the impossibility of achieving political advancement. Cameron’s side kick is rather different. Osborne, behind the smiling image of the shadow chancellor is a young old fashioned Tory, probably one of the puppet masters who behind the scenes, seem to guide so much of the establishment here in England. Osborne is appearing on many programmes from BBC to Channel 4 and 5. and he is doing an awful lot of talking about people and events while his boss and friend is making himself popular with wild claims for the public and ya boo politics for the house.

So far Osborne hasn’t made any errors except one can sense there is a dangerous swirling liquid beneath the calm surface but poor old Prescott is something else . What he has achieved as an individual denied the chance of a good education is admirable but he should have been more careful with the heady wine of success . When the Tories slipped on the road of morality he mocked them in no uncertain way, called them names and accused them of immorality which is why he has become such a sought after target.

Poor guy, to lose his posts because of indiscretions is careless but to lose a grace and favour mansion is the purest form of humbug hypocrisy effected by those who taketh away. Playing croquet is not a crime and it is ridiculous to be hounded out of office and grace and favour mansions just because of a photo of one playing croquet. Losing his job because he had an affair with an assistant is really hypocritical especially as there are numerous leading male politicians who are having affairs without telling their wives and I am not talking about affairs with the other woman but the other man!

In law, you are innocent until you are proved guilty. Similar situation with acts of personal immorality although you only lose your image of being a faithful husband or wife when you are found out. Mostly it’s the men but Edwina Curry proved that it also happens with women who just happen to be more discreet and careful and therefore don’t get found out . Its rather like lying politicians.

No one tells lies until the truth they tell is discovered to be a lie.
If we were in France no one would condemn a politician just because he had an affair and its about time the English upgraded their software. Only if the relationship is detrimental to the integrity of their political work would it become a time to consider suitable punishment like taking away grace and favour houses and giving someone the sack. Men whose sexual predilection deviates from the norm and have a different concept of the family and yet make family laws and masquerade as family men are perhaps one of the most dangerous influences of our modern society.

Such politicians are doing nothing wrong from a personal point of view, and as someone shaping a society badly in need of re shaping, will apply himself honestly to the drafting of new laws. But in doing so they will be influenced by the undercurrents they are hiding which is what they did in 18th , 19th and 20th centuries. The 21st century is time to reshape our society with wisdom not the prejudices of the individual. As for the immediate future the June 2006 Bromley by election will be interesting. It will indicate which way the wind is blowing but it wont plot the path of the eventual hurricane .We have to wait until the next general election for that.

Editorial Comment .