The horrible
pejorative title put me off reading 'Chavs' for a while, but it was a fantastic
polemic about the demonisation of the working class from the '80s onwards, and
how those who have suffered most are being blamed for society's problems.
Scornful of both Conservatives and New Labour for not addressing the needs of
those at the bottom. Almost a rallying-call too for what Labour needs to do to
reconnect, although of course that would be going against the prevailing wisdom
of tacking to the centre and appealing to the Daily Mail readers of Surbiton
(and Woking) in order to win elections.
It's shameful that
in all those years of New Labour so few council houses were built and that the
gap between rich and poor widened. I know I'm biased, but surely a platform
based on building more houses and public facilities would be a vote winner? We
don’t have to betray any principles for that and it's a good idea - boost for
construction industry, houses for people, bring house prices down by increasing
supply. . . Even those with houses will have children that they can see being
pricef out. And punitive taxation on wealth and second homes in particular too.
Oh, for a left wing alternative. . .
'Borkmann's Point'
didn't really grab me, despite Colin Dexter's praise. Maybe I've just read too
much Scandinavian detective fiction recently. It's not technically set in
Scandinavia, of course, it's in an unnamed northern European country which most
resembles the Netherlands or Frisia, but has elements in common with anywhere
from the Hanseatic League. I'll read a few more, mind.
I went on Freddie's
school trip to The Lookout in Bracknell on Monday and had a whale of a time.
Had so much fun looking after the kids and they really enjoyed themselves.
Fred's teacher Mrs Taylor is my new hero; she seems to effortlessly control the
class, keep them engaged, remains cheery and upbeat and does so much. The
organisation was really impressive, and today I've been into Fred's class for
an open day; each pupil has a book full of their work and pictures showing
everything they've done; the effort involved must be huge. Well done to
teachers and teaching assistants everywhere.
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