Today I heard the sad news that Micheal Foot had passed away aged 96years old.
It is my belief that he was one of the only two genuine Socialist members of Parliament English politics. The other MP happily still alive is Tony Benn.
Micheal Foot was both a first class writer &a journalist of tremendous knowledge, intelligence, integrity & humility. A first class orator, the British electorate in 1983 were sadly not ready for the 'man in the duffle coat with the CND badge. Choosing instead she who must remain unnamed, but who's legacy lives on throughout every corner of these isles, & I wonder is there any man or woman who now rues the day that they may have voted for her & her party?
I will miss Micheal Foot. I will miss him in the same way that I miss John Peel. The nation is poorer for their absence. Socialism as defined by Engels & the Fabians died when the present Labour Party were elected in 1997 we have Blair et al to thank for that. Today that torch is carried by Tony Benn alone.
The King is dead, Long live the King!
Sleep well Mr Foot.
Rest in Peace.
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Michael Foot was, if you remember, vilified for wearing a coat that looked like a donkey jacket. (I mean, what's wrong with wearing a donkey jacket anyway???) This was the point at which British people adopted the 'style over substance' ethos into their politics - and got the governments they deserved. I read this quote this morning and it bought a tear to my milky old unreconstructed lefty eye:
ReplyDelete"We are here to provide for those who are weaker and hungrier, more battered and crippled than ourselves. That is our only certain good and great purpose on earth, and if you ask me about those insoluble economic problems that may arise if the top is deprived of their initiative, I would answer, To hell with them...The top is greedy and mean and will always find a way to take care of themselves." Michael Foot RIP.
Incidentally, there's elections going on here at the moment and in our ward there's a candidate standing on a Marxist-Leninist platform. It's so refreshing to see some unabashed left wing-ism (the Australian Communist Party, for it is they who are fielding the candidate, have a hammer and sickle as their symbol!) Now, my reservations about Lenin notwithstanding - if I had a vote, which I don't - I'd be voting for them.
The workers, united, will never be defeated etc.
You're right John it was a 'Donkey Jacket' that the late Michael Foot used to wear-I had a duffle coat & a CND badge! Memory & all that......!
ReplyDeleteWot a wonderful, inspiring quote that was.
Power to the people!!!