Thanks Dean. As ever interesting. There is another view; that a large section of society feels disenfranchised. Our central policy for 30 or 40 years -EU, Integration etc - couldn't generate a majority when asked. This is a warning that something is wrong. That many labour voters don't trust Labour says something is wrong. Your explanation has 2 villains, Farage and more or less "dumb" voters. Is there not a somewhat deeper and better explanation involving shockingly poor connection between our politicos and the people.
Rather that question themselves after the referendum the political class acted like teenagers and blamed others.
As a conservative I see the appeal of Farage but he is symptom of a wider issue.
Is there a disconnect where certain voters feel disenfranchised by the nature of the FPTP system? Sure. But I don't think that reality means there's an 'elite' made up of Tory and Labour politicians who are all somehow the same. Unfashionable as it current is, I don't view the two parties as being similar at all, they're really quite distinct (specially on social issues).
The real issue isn't 'us', a virtuous ignored group versus 'them', an out of touch degenerate and self-serving elite. The real issue is 'who benefited from globalisation'? Or put it another way, who were the winners and losers from the unprecedented period of economic growth and economic (supply chain, manufacturing etc) integration globally.
Farage is the problem here, he peddles simplistic solutions to complex problems. He lies to voters by conjuring up false binaries. He presents as an 'everyman' against 'the elite', when he's about as privileged and elite as they come. He insists he's the authentic conservative voice, but everything about him seeks to demolish everything conservatives (small c) seek to preserve.
He's a ruthless free market capitalist leading socially conservative (but economically left of centre) voters down a garden path. He's absolutely intolerable to my mind. He's an empty cloak who has no serious solutions.
If I'm right - and the issue is a lack of a fair redistribution of wealth and opportunities from the globalised world economy - then the answer is to redistribute the proceeds of our market growth better. Something Farage will never propose.
Farage scares me too. The danger is he appeals. I agree with you about his lack of conservatism. He also lacks any government experience.
So please do carry on with the theme in your answer. Someone needs to thoughtfully address the Populist idea of an elite not listening to the people. And they need to address it as a serious and realistic concern without insulting the messengers.
Because plenty of people see the issues - lack of real growth in lower paid wages with - poor services run by elite folks - (for instance in the PO or the Blood transfusion service delivering near criminally bad services) - and yet we are told it just needs a load of redistribution delivered by people who don't believe there is a problem. You need to try and connect better with the "socially conservative (but economically left of centre)" voters in a way that doesn't imply they are stupid and maybe does start with their POV.
Thanks Dean. As ever interesting. There is another view; that a large section of society feels disenfranchised. Our central policy for 30 or 40 years -EU, Integration etc - couldn't generate a majority when asked. This is a warning that something is wrong. That many labour voters don't trust Labour says something is wrong. Your explanation has 2 villains, Farage and more or less "dumb" voters. Is there not a somewhat deeper and better explanation involving shockingly poor connection between our politicos and the people.
Rather that question themselves after the referendum the political class acted like teenagers and blamed others.
As a conservative I see the appeal of Farage but he is symptom of a wider issue.
Is there a disconnect where certain voters feel disenfranchised by the nature of the FPTP system? Sure. But I don't think that reality means there's an 'elite' made up of Tory and Labour politicians who are all somehow the same. Unfashionable as it current is, I don't view the two parties as being similar at all, they're really quite distinct (specially on social issues).
The real issue isn't 'us', a virtuous ignored group versus 'them', an out of touch degenerate and self-serving elite. The real issue is 'who benefited from globalisation'? Or put it another way, who were the winners and losers from the unprecedented period of economic growth and economic (supply chain, manufacturing etc) integration globally.
Farage is the problem here, he peddles simplistic solutions to complex problems. He lies to voters by conjuring up false binaries. He presents as an 'everyman' against 'the elite', when he's about as privileged and elite as they come. He insists he's the authentic conservative voice, but everything about him seeks to demolish everything conservatives (small c) seek to preserve.
He's a ruthless free market capitalist leading socially conservative (but economically left of centre) voters down a garden path. He's absolutely intolerable to my mind. He's an empty cloak who has no serious solutions.
If I'm right - and the issue is a lack of a fair redistribution of wealth and opportunities from the globalised world economy - then the answer is to redistribute the proceeds of our market growth better. Something Farage will never propose.
Farage scares me too. The danger is he appeals. I agree with you about his lack of conservatism. He also lacks any government experience.
So please do carry on with the theme in your answer. Someone needs to thoughtfully address the Populist idea of an elite not listening to the people. And they need to address it as a serious and realistic concern without insulting the messengers.
Because plenty of people see the issues - lack of real growth in lower paid wages with - poor services run by elite folks - (for instance in the PO or the Blood transfusion service delivering near criminally bad services) - and yet we are told it just needs a load of redistribution delivered by people who don't believe there is a problem. You need to try and connect better with the "socially conservative (but economically left of centre)" voters in a way that doesn't imply they are stupid and maybe does start with their POV.
I'm trying to encourage you here!!!!