Set Your Own Agenda – But Pay Attention!

That means you, Labour Party!

I know that, certainly in my own area, and across the country, you have recently been active in presenting an alternative view of the government’s lamentable NHS failures.

And that is good. And it needs to be said. And loudly. But it appears that, unlike myself, the media didn’t get the endless emails.

Yes, I support an alternative approach to the political discourse, and Yes, I am fully behind the Labour Party focusing on those areas of deterioration that the Tories would like us to ignore.

And more than anything, I support any attempt to wrest the agenda setting from the media, but …..

There are some things that cannot be ignored.

We have just witnessed the election of the latest UKIP leader, an anti-abortion, anti-same sex marriage, and blatant racist.

Now whilst Paul Nuttall would of course deny any such thing – well the racist bit anyway – it is very clear when his rhetoric refers to ‘patriotic’ politics it means just one thing.

Patriotism, the love and support of your country, is an honourable attitude. As long as it isn’t looking to segregate those you don’t consider to be part of your country, and isn’t intent on returning to the isolationist, sectarian and xenophobic lunacy of yesteryear.

Because that way only leads to conflict, hatred, and division.

In his BBC acceptance interview, he was allowed to dribble out the standard sound-bite lies regarding various members of the Shadow Cabinet, including accusing Diane Abbott of hating white people. And none of his lies were questioned.

When given the opportunity to respond, the Labour Party spokesman concentrated with amazing singularity on the need to understand the previous Labour heartland’s concerns regarding immigration.

A lack of denial, a refusal to call out the liars, an inability to stand up for an alternative to the bullshit, it only means one thing. You accept them.

That isn’t unity, or fighting a common enemy. It’s resignation to the background.

It is a sad reflection that the only people speaking out against idiocy are the candidates opposing Zac Goldsmith, by stating they will vote against Article 50.

As for the real opposition?

I am worried. Very Worried. Campaigns are good and valid means of creating visibility within murky places, but sometimes you need to set the agenda.

Sometimes, if you want to win, you have to play the game.