"The Left" and "the Right" is generalising too much. "The left" can mean anyone from Tony Blair to Kim-Jung-Un, everything the Norwegian Labour Party to Khmer Rouge. I know plenty of people who define themselves as being on the left who are highly critical of figures like Stalin and Mao. During the cold war most of the People in the countries that made up the first line of defense against the Warsaw Pact were social democrats, on the left, but as parts of conscript armies they were ready to give their lives in defense against Stalin's forces.
That being said there is a lot more tolerance in society for tyrants on the left than those on the right. I'm not sure why this is. Perhaps it's because Nazi Germany suffered total defeat while the Soviet Union just crumbled from within and the Chinese communist party still rules China. Perhaps it's because Nazi Germany comitted the ultimate sin by industrialising genocide or because many central figures in today's society were in tbe far left in the 1970's and 80's (certainly in Europe, the far left never became a force in the US).
"The Left" and "the Right" is generalising too much. "The left" can mean anyone from Tony Blair to Kim-Jung-Un, everything the Norwegian Labour Party to Khmer Rouge. I know plenty of people who define themselves as being on the left who are highly critical of figures like Stalin and Mao. During the cold war most of the People in the countries that made up the first line of defense against the Warsaw Pact were social democrats, on the left, but as parts of conscript armies they were ready to give their lives in defense against Stalin's forces.
That being said there is a lot more tolerance in society for tyrants on the left than those on the right. I'm not sure why this is. Perhaps it's because Nazi Germany suffered total defeat while the Soviet Union just crumbled from within and the Chinese communist party still rules China. Perhaps it's because Nazi Germany comitted the ultimate sin by industrialising genocide or because many central figures in today's society were in tbe far left in the 1970's and 80's (certainly in Europe, the far left never became a force in the US).
Yes, of course, but you know what I was referring to, I'm sure. Kingsley Amis even pointed it out in his essay on Colonel Sun, 'A New James Bond' (1968). Those on the Left generally back their own side, and Diane Abbott is a case in point in saying that Mao wasn't so bad after all and do more good than harm! I doubt she'd have said the same if she was talking about fascists like Hitler or Mussolini! Perhaps the answer for her lack of historical knowledge (if that's what it is) comes from the fact that she only achieved a lower second class degree (2:2) in History from Cambridge. She also has some abhorrent views on the IRA and Northern Ireland, that I need not go into here.
"The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
You must be thinking of when he aliied himself with Bush jr and invaded Iraq and ….. lots of other things. But technically he's part of the left because of his membership in the Labout party. Besides, it illustrates my point about "The Left" being both relative and a very wide term.
Silhouette ManThe last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,845MI6 Agent
You must be thinking of when he aliied himself with Bush jr and invaded Iraq and ….. lots of other things. But technically he's part of the left because of his membership in the Labout party. Besides, it illustrates my point about "The Left" being both relative and a very wide term.
New Labour was basically Thastcherism continued. Old wine in new bottles, you could say. Peter Mandelson even said, "We're all Thatcherites now!" The New Labour project started properly when Tony Blair (as Leader of the Opposition) unveiled a new reformed version of Clause IV of the Labour Party constitution. That was about burying the most socialist part of the Labour constitution. So, Tony Blair was far from being left-wing. In fact, his father was previously a Tory, being a great admirer of...Margaret Thatcher!
"The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
I couldn't think of anyone further to the right who conceivably could be classified as part of "The Left".
Yes, well Tony Blair was certainly to the right of the Labour Party, as have been a good few others. Political parties are often a broad church in terms of members and elected representatives and the Labour Party is no different from any other party in that regard.
"The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
Boris really is the Daniel Craig of British politics
Boris Johnson is a Bond (and Kingsley Amis) fan. I recall a piece Boris wrote about the novel of TSWLM in fact. Our new Leader of the House of Commons, Jacob Rees-Mogg MP is also a Bond fan. As is the new Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove MP. It all fits as Theresa May said her favourite film was You Only Live Twice! -{
"The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
Comments
That being said there is a lot more tolerance in society for tyrants on the left than those on the right. I'm not sure why this is. Perhaps it's because Nazi Germany suffered total defeat while the Soviet Union just crumbled from within and the Chinese communist party still rules China. Perhaps it's because Nazi Germany comitted the ultimate sin by industrialising genocide or because many central figures in today's society were in tbe far left in the 1970's and 80's (certainly in Europe, the far left never became a force in the US).
Yes, of course, but you know what I was referring to, I'm sure. Kingsley Amis even pointed it out in his essay on Colonel Sun, 'A New James Bond' (1968). Those on the Left generally back their own side, and Diane Abbott is a case in point in saying that Mao wasn't so bad after all and do more good than harm! I doubt she'd have said the same if she was talking about fascists like Hitler or Mussolini! Perhaps the answer for her lack of historical knowledge (if that's what it is) comes from the fact that she only achieved a lower second class degree (2:2) in History from Cambridge. She also has some abhorrent views on the IRA and Northern Ireland, that I need not go into here.
You must be thinking of when he aliied himself with Bush jr and invaded Iraq and ….. lots of other things. But technically he's part of the left because of his membership in the Labout party. Besides, it illustrates my point about "The Left" being both relative and a very wide term.
New Labour was basically Thastcherism continued. Old wine in new bottles, you could say. Peter Mandelson even said, "We're all Thatcherites now!" The New Labour project started properly when Tony Blair (as Leader of the Opposition) unveiled a new reformed version of Clause IV of the Labour Party constitution. That was about burying the most socialist part of the Labour constitution. So, Tony Blair was far from being left-wing. In fact, his father was previously a Tory, being a great admirer of...Margaret Thatcher!
Yes, well Tony Blair was certainly to the right of the Labour Party, as have been a good few others. Political parties are often a broad church in terms of members and elected representatives and the Labour Party is no different from any other party in that regard.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Same place, different angle, 42 years ago:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXyO_MC9g3k
wants To Roger More
"If there is a deal to be made, the price is going to be high."
"High? Astronomical!"
Did Messrs Maibaum and Wood have a crystal ball?
Boris Johnson is a Bond (and Kingsley Amis) fan. I recall a piece Boris wrote about the novel of TSWLM in fact. Our new Leader of the House of Commons, Jacob Rees-Mogg MP is also a Bond fan. As is the new Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove MP. It all fits as Theresa May said her favourite film was You Only Live Twice! -{