History has a relentless capacity to highlight the things we say today. Sometimes it does so to our credit but mainly it does so to our detriment. In the week where our future involvement in Europe simply won't go away, it is today announced that France has once more retreated into recession. As the second largest European economy, this ought to be setting our alarm bells ringing. If we consider the mire within which Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Cyprus find themselves, arguments to remain a member of the European Union become increasingly more desperate.
The normally reticent Labour leader, Ed Milliband has paddled in to the debate nearly up to his ankles by accusing the PM of having lost control of his party. On the contrary, losing control of his party is the best thing that has happened to the Tories for a long time - it has allowed them to bring the subject of EU membership out in to the public arena. This is essential because it is ultimately the public who will make that decision. While they may be accused of hiding behind the confines of being in coalition, the Tories have made clear their preference for an "in or out" referendum. The only difference between UKIP and the Tories is therefore their respective capacities to do anything about it. I would argue that the real pressure is now shifting slowly but surely on to the shoulders of the Liberals and Labour. They need to spell out where they stand and give the rationale for their decision. Given that poll after poll shows clearly that the British electorate wants such a referendum, it is clear that Clegg and Milliband are now becoming isolated. This explains why Milliband has chosen to attack the Tories for disunity. It is a poor attempt to distract attention away from the intentions of his own party. Sooner or later though, he will have to come clean with the voters and whatever direction he chooses will condemn him. Choose to stay in Europe and he goes against the majority opinion. Choose to leave the EU and he's just jumping on the bandwagon of UKIP and the Tories. Good luck.
News that unemployment is going up is hardly surprising. This coalition has been forced to oversee a comprehensive reduction in the numbers being employed by the Public Sector (state). That the figures are actually better than they were a year ago is a miracle and the coalition deserves some credit. It is sad to see the ever increasing numbers of young people out of work. On the same day, a third of students on University degree courses express their dissatisfaction with their course. It seems clear that the obsession with gaining a degree and the myth underpinning the future employment opportunities associated with them, is starting to become clearer. It is pointed out that a record number of job vacancies remain unfilled. This suggests that those seeking the jobs are in a financial position where they can afford to pick and choose. It is well documented that young adults now increasingly reside with their parents until well into their 30s in many cases. Perhaps this goes some way to explaining their evident levels of discernment.
France has just announced a proposed tax on 4G access. This is a surprisingly good idea. They propose to invest the proceeds in to education. Given the insatiable appetite of all ages for this mode of communication, this seems inspired.
It is revealed that A and E departments nationwide are at breaking point unless they receive more investment. Where from? This revelation just provides more weight to the argument that the privatisation of the NHS is now inevitable. The NHS is the envy of the world not particularly because of its excellence (although it is very good), but because even seasoned intellectuals can't understand how you can finance such a costly service free at the point of access to everybody. Of course, the answer is that you can't. If a contributory element was introduced, however modest, much of the current strain on emergency services would be curtailed.
That said, it was recently admitted by a prominent leader of the GPs in this country that 10 minutes is not enough for consultations involving mental health issues. Genius! All bets are now off for the 2013 winner of the State The Obvious awards. This is a huge issue which ought to have been resolved a long time ago. Funding for mental health is habitually slashed in favour of "mainstream" medicine. But, all health begins with mental health so why don't we have this as our priority? It seems perfectly straightforward to me. On the same note, why don't we address the main causes of mental health issues? Why don't we have a re-think about alcohol availability? Why don't we look again at our drug laws? Why don't we seek to integrate our ageing population more into society rather than condemning them to the sidelines?
If the politicians really want to engage with the electorate, I suggest that they start with health. If they deal properly with health, including and especially mental health, the jobs will come. Labour still thinks that if we build a load of houses, everything will be alright in the end. It won't. It will take more than bricks and mortar to put right our current problems. They may come later. We have a burgeoning population of young people of varying degrees of qualification who need the self worth which comes with employment. They will merely add to the existing tidal wave of mental illness unless they are employed. Our fixation with wealth and money is now our Achilles' heel because we have now spawned a generation who pick and choose the jobs they are prepared to do.
When Cuba faced enormous financial difficulties in the 1990s, the government invested in 100,000 bicycles so that the people could get from A to B. Now there's an idea! Get fit, use less fuel, feel better about yourself, relieve the strain on the NHS and move more towards local regeneration where the local community once more comes together for the common good.
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