What really matters? Some thoughts as we approach the General Election.
Understanding the demographic changes and it’s effect on health & social services. Lets celebrate that people are living longer, but make sure the NHS are fully financed. How do we reduce isolation? Insurance for core services is certainly not the answer.
Investment in small businesses. Money is being vaporised into the super rich’s pockets like never before. Similarly massive corporations hoover up money, and don’t redistribute it, or pay taxes. Is a solution a global problem?
Free movement in Europe. The failure of successive UK governments to invest in procedures & to prepare the country for free movement in the EU has caused no amount of headaches. Not least, Brexit. Whilst the referendum was fraught with scandal, lies, and damn lies, it has yet to be proven to be illegal. Whilst the outcome was narrow, and certainly not decisive, the country has voted to Leave the EU. I still think there’s a case for it being proven to be not valid. And rejoining. It’s likely to lead to the break up of the UK, and a further large downturn for the country outside of London. In the medium term, I think it’s essential that those who want to, are able to individually obtain the MEP back EU Associated Citizenship. There maybe an annual fee to pay, like an insurance scheme. But it should be an option for all of those in the UK that want it. It would be great to understand more potential MPs opinion on this.
Investment in transport. Why has Manchester STILL not got real-time transport information for buses? Why are some train lines STILL not electrified? Why do we have ancient rolling stock on secondary lines? Why can’t we have more £3 single fares to our nearest cities? Why do train tickets to London cost more than flying? Why can’t Manchester be better connected to Edinburgh and Newcastle? Will HS2 be double decker. What will the time from Manchester Airport to Paris be?
Good relations with our neighbouring countries and their populations. We need more working together in their language. Not English. The British need to make much more effort at languages! We need to encourage further & regular connections with individuals, to understand the issues elsewhere.
Pollution. Humans are polluting the planet. It’s not new. But it’s getting worse. How do we reduce the amount of plastic in the oceans? How do we reverse the CO2 emissions? Why doesn't every south & west facing roof have solar panels on? Why doesn't the UK manufacture more windmills?
Education. Modest sized class sizes, less than 30. A broad curriculum, and less testing seems to be the order of the day for children. I think all children should experience a second language for a few hours a week. However, in an age of no jobs for life, it seems that there’s a need for regular retraining. Individuals cannot afford it. Small companies cannot to pay for it, so does it fall to the state to take on more Adult Education? Plenty of on-line free training is available, but it’s often no substitute for interactive, taught lessons. Free university education maybe possible, but it’s not the full solution.
International Development. Recent mass migrations feel avoidable. They were a reaction to war in Syria. But how will famine, the price of finite fossil fuels, and availability of weaponry affect the future? Can future mass migrations be avoided? To what degree will investment in perma-culture, and renewable power help avoid these types of situations. Will more desalination be required?
Affordable Housing. Whilst the UK’s obsession in buying your own home, we cannot afford to do so. Worse, many rents are prohibitive and prevent saving. Worse still many pay high rents for poor conditions. Successive governments have failed to build enough housing. They’re to blame. However, does our own planning system prevent enough being built? What is different in Tokoyo? Should we give up some of the green belt to ease the pressure? Should we form a national building company?
Automation Of Jobs. In the past AI has been over hyped, and turned out to be a bit shit. However, it’s not the case this time. Self-driving cars are here! Within 5 years most taxis will be. And trucks soon after that. We’re not that long off a loaf of bread being grown, made, wholesaled, and took to the shops without it touching human hands! That’s the extreme end I guess. At the less glamorous end we already have annoying automatic tills in supermarkets. They proliferated pretty quickly didn't they. Is a form of Universal Basic Income the answer? Unsure? Perhaps we need some experiments on the effect of it on society. Like now!
I thought I’d jot a few notes down over what I see as the issues. It’s not an exhaustive list, but I find I'm constantly torn in thinking when switching on the news or social media to someone else’s agenda. So this is my thinking I guess. Always happy for constructive debate. No party political shouting that the other party is shit though, thanks!
Thanks for reading. Why not follow me on twitter at http://twitter.com/oceanician
