Since listening to Will Self and Andrew Neil at a National Housing Federation conference last week I’ve been reflecting on the social commentary that both of them offered.
Will Self speculated as to whether we are entering a “neo feudal society.” If I understood him correctly, this was an observation about how the increasing concentration of wealth in the hands of the very few and the growing disintegration of the middle classes were creating a society where a new type of feudalism was at work. This is the reality of the world in which we live and that we have little choice but to accept. We can’t turn the clock back to create a more socialist or “Bevanite” society that is based on a greater degree of equality because it won’t work in the world of today.
Andrew Neil speculated that we are heading for a long period of uncertainty after the election in May. Neither of the two largest parties believe they can win an out-right majority and so both are scrabbling in an increasingly fractious way to be the largest party in the House of Commons. It is unlikely that they will then be able to command a majority with the support of just one other party, so we will see potentially unstable and uncertain government. Labour may try to do a deal with the Scottish Nationalists at its peril, and the Conservatives might try and carry on with the Liberal Democrats and others, although not with an overall majority.
Both speakers were insightful and stimulating – sages of our time. I hope I have represented what they said accurately.
The fragmentation of our political allegiances highlighted by Andrew Neil is an interesting development seen in recent political history. It strikes me that it might link to the “neo feudal society” identified by Will Self. It is a society in which few feel they carry much political clout, many feel they are not served by the political classes and a large proportion of the population work harder and harder for a poor return. It is all rather depressing.