Issue 5

The English Statesman May 1979

Labour Lapses, Conservatives Capitalise

At the last General Election, the Conservatives accused their Labour counterparts are being home to
extremism, which would become apparent if they were given a 99 Seat Majority. When the Polls came
out a few days ago it seemed as if Labour had done a good job of proving the Conservatives wrong.
However what the public or indeed Labour had banked on was the error of one Cabinet Minister,
Comrade Bill Paisley. In what was either an extremely poor joke, or an actual move to try and turn
Parliament into some pseudo-socialist council, he introduced a motion to refer to the Speaker as
“Comrade Speaker” instead of “Mr.Speaker”. Of course this caused an immediate back lash, as the
Opposition Benches rose in anger (at glee) at this appalling move by the Education Minister. Not only
did it beg the to push it forward merely
question “Doesn't for the sake of blind
the Minister have ideology. Casting aside
better things to do hundreds of years of
with his time?” it history merely to fulfill
also confirmed that some hollow desire to get
Labour wasn't back either at the “effete”
interested in Establishment, doesn't
Socialism for the seem like the worthy
benefit of the venture that a Government
country, but rather of the day should be
Something the matter Comrade Bill?

taking part in. Surely with the economy still in trouble, the troubles in Northern Ireland, and a variety
of other issues that have gripped our nation the Government would have better things to do?
Seemingly not. Comrade Bill & Co, didn't count however on what was a quick reaction from the
Conservative Party over the matter, which took full advantage of what was an grave mistakes from
what had been a steady period for the Government. However, perhaps on disaster could have been
quietly hushed up as a Conservative Party with nothing better to do but the Christmas came early for
the Tories as another Minister, the ever resourceful Home Secretary found another new way to put his
foot in it.
Perhaps, the Home Secretary pretend to be the Foreign Policy experts
hadn't taken his pills that of the United Kingdom, however even
morning, or maybe he just got we understand that telling both the
out of the wrong side of the United States and the USSR to (for
bed, whatever the case may be want of a better phrase) “stick it”
nothing could excuse a doesn't seem like a very good idea.
complete cock up when he not Perhaps the Home Secretary should of
only insulted the capitalism but stuck to allowing 14 year olds to hold
also turned his nose up at air guns that morning.
communism, basically attacking The damage it seems has been done.
the two Superpowers of the The Conservatives and Liberals have
“Thank you Mr.Shimon” been able to now show the public
globe in one foul swoop. We at
The English Statesman do not exactly what they meant by Labour
Extremism. People may not think much of these incidents now, and maybe they will die away over
the next few weeks, however the Statesman is sure that this shall come to haunt Labour soon enough.
 Edwards Switches, Conservatives In Stitches
Joseph Edwards had been out
of the lime light for some time
until a month or so ago. He was
an ex-Cabinet Minister, out of
favour with his Party,
unappreciated by his
Leadership he seemed destined
to back bench obscurity Until
he decided to make a speech
about the Party that he currently
was a part of, and launched a
scathing attack at the
extremism of the Labour
Government. This was a huge
blow to the Party, after a period
of good governance in which
little had gone wrong, they had
hoped that they would show
just how stable they could make
the country. However that was
thrown out of the window as
Edwards opened the door for
the Conservatives and Liberals
to attack the Labour Party on
path he had decided to take, the
“moderate” stance would tilt towards them.
Therefore it was to the delight of the
Conservative benches that Mr. Edwards
decided to join the Conservative Party.
Coupled with the moves of Comrade Bill
and Comrade Isaac, the Conservatives were
on Cloud 9 as they could name also claim
to be the “moderate” Party of Britain.
Mr. Edwards will face a few problems
Edwards – however. He was elected as a Member of
Conservative Covert the Labour Party and their candidate. The
people of Deptford made clear last year
their ideological that they wished to have a Labour
stance. The battle Government, and now they have a
for the “moderate” Conservative Member of Parliament.
ground had begun. Therefore is it now fair that he can
However a lot represent the Conservative Party when he
rested on Edwards, never ran on this ticket? Labour is still
as the man who had reportedly polling well in the area, and this
started this debate continues to beg the question of fairness
his decision on his on his Constituents.
own career seems to One thing is clear though, despite Edwards
have taken a greater switch the Conservatives have a lot of
importance, prove if they are truly to be considered the
depending on what “moderate” Party of this country.

Troubles Return to Ulster

In its 77 year history, the
Royal Ulster Constabulary has
had an extremely controversial
history. Made up almost
exclusively of Protestants,
trying to walk the thin line
between the Catholics and the
Orange men, it has had to deal
with flak from both sides.
However, in an effort to try
and keep the peace two RUC
Officers tried to arrest one of
the customers of a local pub
before they were interrupted by
one, Francis McConville.
Francis had clearly been
drinking, and should known
better then to have tried to
interrupt the Officers while
they tried to keep the peace. It
isn't an easy job keeping order
The RUC – Guardians of
the Union
in a country which has
had a deep religious
divide since the Battle of
the Boyne hundreds of
years ago.
While the Statesman feels
sorry for the family of the
victim and the local
community which has been thrust in
the limelight.
However we continue to support the
Royal Ulster Constabulary in its work.
People across the United Kingdom,
and especially in the higher levels of
Government seem to forget on
occasions that working the troubled
strives of a community deeply divided.
The RUC have their problems, and of
course they need to be constantly
improved upon, however at the
moment they continue to try to make
the best of what is an extremely
difficult job. While excessive force is
definitely to be avoided at all costs,
without knowing the proper facts it is
difficult for anyone to make a clear
judgment on the issue. Therefore The
Statesman urges all to take a step back
before they begin to criticise and look
to improve not destroy order there.
 “Do you know the Conservative Shuffle?”
A look at the Conservative Shadow Cabinet

Its that time of the year again, and members of the Conservative Party were geared up as Robert
Noble Gordon announced the new look of the Conservative Party. They were some notable movers in
this new Cabinet, as Vincent Brooke emerged as Shadow Environment Minister, Warbutton took over
as Shadow Economic Affairs Minister and English took over as Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer.
James Christian, the former Shadow for the Home Office and Defence was dropped from Cabinet, as
were Sir Tyler King and Owen Salisbury to name but a few. Paul Holmes and Tom Sullivan were
moved from their respect posts as Labour Party Members have scoffed at Paul's new title of “Minister
for Housing and Inner Cities”. Despite the laughter from the Labour Benches, this actually a smart
political move by the Conservative Party trying to reconnect with a lost base in the form of Urban
Areas. Though making a Shadow Ministerial position isn't going to overturn the massive Labour
advantage their overnight, it is a start, and every vote will count in the next General Election.
The Conseratives stil have a the events of the next few months. With
mountain to climb in terms the budget set to be back to the fore
of polling however. Despite relatively shortly, and more bills surely to
the damage that recent proposed it will be up to Labour to make
events will bring, we can sure that they maintain their image as the
speculate that Labour will People's Party if they wish to be in
still be polling near the 40 Government after the next election. Many
mark, with the Conservatives would say that the next election is for
at 35-36% depending on the Labour to lose rather then the
swing that they recieve. Conservatives to the win, but while that
Considering that they will may be partly the case, it should be made
have to achieve a lead of at Holmes – Key to clear that the Conservatives still do have
least 5-6% to win even by a Victory? their fate in their own hands. If they
small majority they are connecting with lost continue to keep up the pressure, keep up
looking at having to gain 9% voters in Urban Areas coming up with new policies and
of the vote over the next few and the aspiring classes, hammering home that they are an
years. Yet this Shadow they can start to regain alternative that is acceptable to a majority
Cabinet does show a step in their electoral success of the nation, then Labour will have to
the right direction, by but a lot will depend on pick up their socks if they are to govern.

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Dear Editor, Dear Editor,

I applauded when I read the last
issue of the Statesman as it brought
home, finally, the truth about the
Post War Consensus. It is clear that
this is nothing more then a way for
the fake Socialists that run the
supposed “Labour Party” to hide
the fact that they aren't doing their
job. Why do we still have a
Monarchy? What about Lords
reform! Death to the Capitalists!
Yours warmly,
Comrade Kringle
I was absolutely shocked when the
Conservatives were praised for their
recent actions in reference to the Post
War Consensus, clearly they have done
nothing to change this country. We
have a bunch of common muck in
Government, that wish to attack all that
we stand for, that are secretly backed by
the weak Conservative Front Benches.
If they really wished to save this
country, then they would be trying to
bring back the Lords veto, not merely
protecting it!
Yours,
Viscount Kingsbury
Every week I buy the Statesman
to read about the news and
frankly I am sick and tired of
having to read whatever madmen
and women have decided to write
about that week.
I thought that the Statesman was
supposed to be about news, not
crackpots? Why don't the people
that write into this magazine get a
life instead of wasting everybody's
time.
Yours,
Andrew Farnbury