• it should be remembered that politics or philosophy here is considered as uninformed speculation occaisionally accepted as having merit by all present. Whereas in the other place……..

I know that a philosophy should be objective but I suspect that it rarely is. Something of the philosopher must break through. Certainly one of the greatest philosophies lasting and relevant over nearly 2000 years is proof of this even if the student is not religious or belong to the Christian faith. It therefore seems correct to describe where my particular views philosophical or political are coming from.

My upbringing was in a Christian household or at least one in which Christian values were upheld. I attended and taught at Sunday school and church youth club leader was attempted.  My ability to lead any of the same particularly those of the similar age and disposition as myself was of course tested to destruction.

On reflection I have to accept that the church congregation were very tolorent of the young. As young as twelve or thirteen they discussed any questions or topics I raised in bible class except on one occaision when in all innocence I asked wether it would be reasonable to assume that socialism was the only Christian way forward. This enquiry was briskly pushed aside.

Thus it was learnt very early that what might be well intended is not always politic. In the saloon bar of course religion and politics are usually the only subjects raised once inhibitions decrease hence the occasional fracas.

Socialism and the Labour party were closely allied in those times and it should come as no great surprise that my dad standing as labour party counceller In the Chislehurst and Sidcup ward, rather than Osbourne being given chancellor of the exchequer, is my definition of a hospital pass.

Never frightened of public comment it was outside our house on V E day that a broken chamber pot was hung with the placard “Jerry cracked at last”. It is the fact that now the public display would have led to prosecution or persecution that causes me to worry.

At election times both parents would be discussing results of various canvasses they had done and what the weather might be like. Apparanly this was critical since “they” had cars ensuring voting where our lot were pedestrian. It is no wonder then that my views were very much socialistic until reaching maturity when, of course, responsibility and realisable dreams came my way. I have voted conservative, (or Tory being the closest to it), ever since

It is hoped that the above accounts in part for my political views and the bias present now in any writings. Although upbringimg or influences of family are important the greatest influence for me has been the marriage to Julie for 60 years and my resultant family; 3 children down to 8 great granchildren and one greatgrandaughter. Over this period of 60 years the persistant failure of the labour party, interlectual elite, and genually well intentioned M P’s to come up with policies that protect our way of life, keep with past obligations, and act in families best interests etc has developed into something that is accepted as reasonable.

it was this, that drove both Julie and myself away from having any interest in politics except of course to suffer and bemoan the constant string of broken promises and lack, particularly by the E U, of any vestage of pragmatism. It seemed to us that this gathering were completely unaware that this removal of free speech and the introduction of laws to facilitate completely well intended reform for the “common good” could result in “Herr J Bull” ; bearing in mind humanities common drives.

These philosophies and political ideas I have thought of independently. I have to accept of course that they will not be unique.. Throughout history intelects greater than mine will have considered the ideas I ponder on and will have come to brilliant conclusions that either coincide with mine or invalidate them. I first discovered that this ante- plaguerism. was going on ,and has been for a considerable time, when Smith ventured back a considerable time to observe a French guy copying (all my thoughts on socialism that I had as a young man) and carrying on about contracts. I have checked up on this practice and am informed that according to the Russians they do not suffer from this. I would fancy the Chinese, Indian or Sumarian writers to be contestants to this claim but I definitely will continue to suffer from this practice

So much then for the wrinkley’s rant and on to yet more well intentioned stuff !! If the above has not been enough suffering then read more once grey stuff is re- oiled with the wet stuff