Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

UKIP on the prowl.

I'm stunned that whoever delivered the UKIP leaflet to my door this morning survived walking around N15 unharmed. The only leaflet I've had mind you, apart from the conservatives one. I just thought you may find this address useful, as I did ;-)

UKIP free post. RLSU-HZBG-UBBG
Lexdrum House
TQ12 6UT.

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Permalink Reply by Sharon on May 1, 2014 at 20:50

No. Maybe you feel that way because you are a member...is that right? As a voter, I'm sick to the back teeth of all of the main parties. I've a feeling I'm not alone.

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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on May 2, 2014 at 11:31

The poet e.e. cumming wrote that: "A politician is an arse upon which everyone has sat except a man". Update that to include women and it probably describes what an increasing number of people now think of the inhabitants of Planet Parliament. And - I'm sorry to say - their colleagues in many local councils.

As I've pointed out, some of the more perceptive political commentators agree that the system is in trouble. Normally I ignore much of this stuff. But I think candour by insiders is more likely to be what they really think when it's not praising a speaker's own party or ritually condemning the opposition. Especially just before elections when nobody is supposed to announce in public what they might say in private: that many more people distrust and are contemptuous of professional politicians and that the feeling is often mutual.

In one sense modern politics is like an update of the traditional custom of Flyting - the ceremonial exchange of insults between enemies. This applies to Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, Clegg versus Farage, just as much as to the BBC Question Time. The "winners" are "judged" by spectators according to who could quickly throw the best clever insults, empty debating jokes, or put-downs.

Nigel Farage can do this with charm and humour. He has the big advantage of being a relatively fresh face. A new comic on the stand-up circuit. Unlike the others, we haven't watched all his routines several times on catch-up-TV and YouTube. He's also got a troupe of outrageous and offensive fools, buffoons and jesters running round him, who do what jesters were traditionally supposed to - offend good taste by leaving fart cushions on seats.

I think the system's in trouble because we have real problems and an overwhelming number of politicians with fake solutions. As FPR suggested: snake-oil salespeople.

As well as disgust for politicians and their stupidity, pretensions, ambition and greed, I think we're also bored by them. Bored by variations on the same endless claptrap. Consider the two main Haringey parties' empty slogans dressed-up as solutions to people's urgent and real problems. Freeze Council Tax. Cleanest Borough in the universe. Fill more potholes. Shut Haringey People Magazine to save tens of millions. Thirty minutes free parking to solve the crisis of our High Streets.

John Cage "composed" a piece of music: 4 minutes 33 seconds of silence. He would have made a splendid Mayor of Haringey. At least the Standards Committee wouldn't have had to meet in secret.

(Tottenham Hale ward councillor. Notwithstanding on 22 May)

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Permalink Reply by Sharon on May 2, 2014 at 11:42

I know the piece. Much more interesting than any of the PP broadcasts so far.

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Permalink Reply by Straw Cat on May 2, 2014 at 21:38

Flyting, eh? Looking forward to Clive Carter doing the haka.

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Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on May 2, 2014 at 22:21

Shut Haringey People Magazine to save tens of millions.

Alan I don't think anyone has suggested it would save a eight-figure sum, but it is surely worth cutting back to save a six-figure sum of money?

I appreciate that this publication benefits the Party of the current Council Majority Group, but ordinary residents might be able to think of even better things on which to spend the money.

Last night I (and representatives of other parties) attended the AGM of the Hillcrest Residents' Association. It appears that there is an overdue backlog of repairs and maintenance to do on this group of council blocks. Residents – both tenants and leaseholders – would like action by the Council.

Thirty minutes free parking to solve the crisis of our High Streets.

Thirty minutes free parking would not "solve the crisis of our High Streets" to quote your caricature. However, it would be likely help small businesses, though, in the short and medium term.

One shouldn't make the best the enemy of the good.

Disclosure:
am a prospective councillor candidate
Highgate Ward | Liberal Democrat Party

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Permalink Reply by pamish on May 2, 2014 at 14:52

This comes back at us as they can claim this as election costs, paid by the taxpayer.

Better to lob the brick direct through their window.

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Permalink Reply by Sharon on May 2, 2014 at 15:08

:-)))

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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on May 1, 2014 at 14:39

Sharon, we always have an assortment of people delivering leaflets in the streets round where we live.

The religious ones keep coming, usually brought by pleasant, chatty people. I've never seen the pizza and Chinese takeaway deliverers as they are extremely fast. Recently we've had a surge in Estate agents wanting to buy our garden shed. And leaflets offering cash for our old gold. (If only! )

There's been a falling-off in flyers with pictures of small children and kittens, asking for our old clothes. (Maybe they noticed that I'm still wearing them.)

There is some daft stuff like small cards offering fortune-telling. Then really barmy and unbelievable nonsense about exorcism, Free Schools; and consultation on Labour's plans for regenerating Tottenham by expelling the people who live here.

But we're a friendly bunch in our corner of N17 and wouldn't harm callers - however odd. We know that even the exorcists and Tories running the Labour Party probably don't read the leaflets they deliver and wouldn't agree with them. How could anyone with any sense? But it keeps 'em busy and they get fresh air and exercise.

(Tottenham Hale ward councillor)