Duped and Duplicity

I've written about this before and it usually receives good reactions on social media so it's about time I put it into a blog post.

If the 2019 election has taught us anything it is that a considerable number of people vote without good reason, voting more on a hunch or from the persuasions of malign propaganda over careful deliberation from an informed perspective. This election saw a man of principals with a manifesto that promised reinvestment up against a narcissistic fluffy-hair sociopath whose party, now elected with an overall majority, has already broken a number of his manifesto pledges.

What is frustrating is that anyone who pays attention – and by that I do not mean takes their guidance from T.V. news channels or billionaire-owned newspapers – would see no reason to vote Tory unless they want attacks on the poor, racist policies, reduced rights for individuals, cuts to public services funding, and so on. I cannot respect the results of this election because it is clear that only the stupid, the misinformed or the obscenely wealthy would think a Tory government is what's best for the country.

But it is the English voters who mostly elect Tory M.P.s with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland largely voting against the Tories. The problem is while the Scots, Welsh and Irish have strong identities, separate from the English, the essence of English identity is deliberately conflated with the ruling elite. English national identity is coalesced with imperialism, monarchy, military might, etc. English indentity has been hijacked by our oppressors and it is no surprise that it is the right wing who evoke English nationalism the most fervently. The Tory party is part of the ruling elite, the party created to protect privilege and wealth. Too many English people have been duped into thinking Tory support is patriotism.

While, yes, there are many working class English traditions, how many of them would you consider strong parts of English national identity? Even drinking tea, when viewed culturally, is seen as a genteel tradition served in china teacups, poured from a teapot, not the everyday thing of a bloated teabag sitting in a chipped mug, which is how most of us drink it.

While I loathe nationalism and the banal non-achievements that are declared by people who just happen to have been born to a particular culture, I do see its positive purpose. National identity need not be a racist endeavour. It can be a surge for self-determination and a break from unfair treatment, as is the case for Scottish independence, since the Scots haven't voted a Tory majority for decades yet have been lumbered with Tory rule many times. And since too many people vote without good reason (I've seen vox pops; I've heard them speak their political illiteracy) national identity can be used to influence the voting choices of these people, for good or for bad.

England lacks a defined identity that is separate from the ruling elite; but it has one: my ancestors were not slave owners, or land owners or lords or dukes. A new English identity can be forged. It will take time for it to hold weight, but it can be done. Perhaps we can call ourselves Saxon in opposition to our Norman rulers, or perhaps there's something better, more inclusive. One thing I am sure, as long as Englishness is tied to 'God Save the Queen', stately homes and conquering foreign lands, the grip of Tory rule will be hard to shake.

Over and out for now, guys!

xxx