Just now I was to be found issuing a schoolmarmly ticking awf to noted libertarian Ms Charlotte Gore for being a grumpy sourpuss over the advent of the (noted social democrat) Social Liberal Forum. I paraphrase:
“It’s not fair!” said she.
“It is fair,” said I, “Work harder.”
But here’s where I think she may have a point:
Is this really a sign that the people who used to be the cool hip young things in the party, the people with all the influence and all the power are beginning to feel marginalised, out of touch and losing their ability to act as this party’s brain?
I’m not so sure about the people actually behind SLF, but this diagnosis certainly chimes with the tedious fact-free internet arguments I’ve been involved in with other self-styled social democrats. Some of them do seem remarkably keen to assert their age, experience and length of time in the party as proof that they are more likely to be right than I am. It’s as if the 1960s never happened sometimes. Irony of ironies.
Anyway, this isn’t based on an sample of one. We’ve seen this before. When normal men enter into their midlife crisis, they buy a sportscar. Perhaps when political men enter their midlife crisis, they start a ginger group.
… finally the answer to the question what should you buy middle aged men for their birthdays?
That would be a good argument if everyone involved in the SLF was a) male and b) middle-aged.
But they’re not.
Ginger groups still make good presents for the otherwise impossible to buy for though, surely you concede that point? 😉
Alix said:
“When normal men enter into their midlife crisis, they buy a sportscar. Perhaps when political men enter their midlife crisis, they start a ginger group.”
Being nearly 40 is definitely mid-life, but I would like to assure Alix that I bought a sports car (MGB GT) when I was 33, so it’s not only about setting up the SLF….
Oi, what’s wrong with gingerism?
I’m not middle-aged yet and I won’t drive, so there’s little chance of me getting a sportscar any time soon.
Am I the only person who, on hearing them refer to themselves as SLF, was immediately reminded of legendary punk musicians Stiff Little Fingers & found it funny?
No… ok, I give up 🙂
Richard, I think MGBs are a bit too classy to be a proper midlife crisis car. My dad’s just bought one and he’s rather old to be having a midlife crisis (although could conceivably be having a second childhood…) I meant more your BMW Sport or similar – y’know, what ad execs mean when they say “sportscar”.
But at least, having offended ad execs and BMW Sport owners, I can reassure Oranjepan. Said dad is also ginger. I was quite old before I worked out that ginger people were remotely unusual or worthy of comment.