Fairness i have heard said today is a nothing statement. Also that equality is not achievable and should not be something we should focus on generating in society. According to Julian Glover the Left has it worng and the Right needs to learn from this.
It got me thinking about my youthful dealings with the ideas of Communism, a fair and equal society where all contribute and benefit equally. As history has shown us the Human appetite for greed means this is merely a dream, a utopian ideal. However it doesn't mean that creating equality in our society shouldn't be a goal we can't obtain.
Around 12 months ago I was introduced to the notion of the "Citizens Income" through a book written by Clive Lord. The book and conversations with Clive, reintroduced to me that a more equal society was possible. Not through agressive revolutionary politics but through intelligent, radical thought and the determination to make big changes to beneift all of society.
I whole heartedly agree with Glover that fairness is used as a nothing word by politicians, because it cannot be measured or controlled it is simply an idea word. I do, however, disagree that we should not strive for equality. The chains and shackles of our tax and benefit strucutre need re-writing and I hope that in time, as the next generations mature and begin to take hold of our social and environmental challenges that people will not look to tweak and dabble with policy and strucutre but radically change them to better serve our future and country.
The Green Party is the only party that I see offering that radical departure from the middle ground, the safety and security of "Vanilla Politics". With our first MP there is a real opportunity to build strength throughout the UK.
That is all very good, but the challenge remains: How do you deliver radical vibrant change in a country so bogged down in it's own apathy and comfort living in our "Vanilla Society".
