Royal Attack Outrage

1795: The Republican Attack, by James Gillray.

Note that the 'mob' only wants 'peace and bread', and that Britannia is crushed under the carriage. This really happened, by the way, and led to even more repressive laws than were already in existence. I'm sure that won't be the case now… ha ha ha.

I'm starting to think that I can understand and even predict current political developments by going back to the 18th Century. After all, the landed aristocracy are in charge, millionaires run the place, the state is being abolished, we're at war (though not with France, for a change) and satire is the only weapon we have. Squire Turniphead Cameron certainly isn't listening.

Community payback

Steve Bell really is the new Gillray or Cruikshank. Today he imagines our leaders treating themselves as they treat poor people who nick another £10 from the social security…

Seumas Milne nails these bastards completely.

I buried this suggestion in an earlier post. Here's the version I just sent as a letter to the Guardian:

I have a solution for housing MPs which will reduce the opportunity for sleaze and produce social benefits.

Each MP will be loaned a council flat in London as their second home, preferably in the worst-built, highest-crime, least-maintained estate available. They will be offered the same facility in their constituency, though if they already own a home there, moving will not be required. Once the flat is furnished (and maintained) at reasonable expense, no further money will be provided. Living amongst the poorest citizens will keep the MP honest, remind them of their vocation, dissuade them from acquiring expensive white goods, encourage them to consider the most pressing social issues, and will surely lead rapidly to pressure on local authorities and agencies to improve living conditions for the people we consign to such places.