The EU is phooked...

[The Bedlington Terrier]

I well remember having a serious debate within the Labour Party on Margaret Thatcher's stance on self reliance. We came to the conclusion she had singlehandedly killed off the philosophy of "Cradle to grave socialism". I really fail to see how any other interpretation is even possible?

This is however a very complex issue. At it's heart is my own belief the Tory Party have gone too far in the last decade in removing the "safety net" for our own vulnerable people. Disability benefits cut, homelessness on an exponential upward curve, Universal Credit, NHS cuts etc, etc.

One benefit from the coronavirus panic is the government are now being forced to chuck back those missing billions into society. Johnson is looking to slash Foreign Aid (no longer mandatory after we leave the EU) and realises there actually is a thing called "society" which requires social cohesion, a moral community and collective spirit.

Interpret this as you will, but this Thatcher inspired philosophy radically changed British society in my opinion and how the government was required to tend for its own:

"I think we've been through a period where too many people have been given to understand that if they have a problem, it's the government's job to cope with it: 'I have a problem, I'll get a grant.' 'I'm homeless, the government must house me.' They're casting their problem on society. B]And, you know, there is no such thing as society."]

There are individual men and women, and there are families. And no government can do anything except through people, and people must look to themselves first. It's our duty to look after ourselves and then, also to look after our neighbour. People have got the entitlements too much in mind, without the obligations. There's no such thing as entitlement, unless someone has first met an obligation."