crossroads

SE1 - The Flyover

2019 ticks over to 2020. At a bit of a crossroads, locally and nationally and, probably, internationally. Should we believe in the optimism, allow a type of Stockholm-Syndrome to wash over us and take the easy route, or remember the many lies we've been told? To get back some sort of balance, we need to sort out an effective opposition to this thing (I don't think they really know) we have on the government benches at the moment. In an early post I said it was a conspiracy mindset, and whatever else that that entails, that allowed Brexit to take hold. I also said it was an act of self-harm, and so a cry for help. This may still be true - people saying they voted Brexit/Conservative (more specifically Johnson) to 'shake things up' - but the xenophobia behind much of the rhetoric is clearly much more of a driving factor than I thought. There are reports of seeing more people feeling emboldened in these sorts of views now, thinking (rightly or wrongly) the government is on their side. It is this hate - and fear and whatever else that brings with it - that has allowed Brexit to really flourish as an ideology, a cult. The 'national desire to be heard' reasoning was maybe too generous. People voted, perhaps, not so much against Corbyn (though obviouly they did) but for Johnson. I think honesty will allow us to see that it simply comes down to wanting to follow, to be told what to think and not have to think and be told that you're exceptional, one of the gang, trusting in a leader. It may be why so many religious believers support this type of politician too. There is scary talk of us being in an age of the 'strong-man', and even in a post-democracy - terrifying, hopefully an over-reaction. But Johnson succeeded where supply teacher for the public schoolboys May who was - you can easily imagine Francois and Rees-Mogg sniggering - never could. And so, depressing as it may be, let Labour not be too lofty in their ideals - for the moment at least - in appointing their leader. Johnson and the rest are likely to be most cowed by Starmer, and for them - and apparently much of the the electorate - the posturing does count for something. Don't waste any more time allowing Johnson to think he really is king, dictator, just freely in charge of everything. That's not good for any leader of a democracy. Labour should give the job to Starmer and just get on with it. Get it done, as some might say. Perhaps Philips could be a challenge to him, but I dont think any of the others still in the running could. Not that Starmer is a bad person for the role anyway; surely he'd surround himself with a diverse group of ministers to challenge the untrustworthiness and apparent paucity (though some more is being spoken about now than just Brexit) of this government's current pledges, and seemingly he's already prioritised leaving no doubt about eradicating all anti-Semitism. What has been reported - that people said they would have voted Labour if Starmer was leader - is something I heard too. Labour are just going to have to fight dirty, else the tactics used by the Conservatives will probably continue to trump any idealism. As when Labour members in clips from the time apparently wanted Blair as leader (ahead of Prescott and Beckett) because he 'looked good', if Labour want to avoid irrelevance and to be an opposition the government won't just dismiss, the thinking probably has to be similarly cynical. 

There is room for optimism of course, a few reasons at the moment actually and not just the ones our PM wants us to trust him with (I'd like to but can't; Johnson lies...). One reason is this: someone I know who's proven to be very perceptive about things over many years, says the first 'big shock' will be in 6 months. People will realise it's maybe not what they were promised, that there are too many lies, and that is a bad thing but unsustainable. 

So much feels like 'we shall see'. 

The photo is of the flyover at the Bricklayers' Arms, SEI, London, pretty much joining the Old and New Kent Roads. A double exposure on Kodak colourplus 200 with my old Canon EOS 3000N. 

Belief

You often hear it said that that in any endeavour, particularly a creative one, it's important to have courage, conviction, belief and a vision you stick to. There are plenty of motivational soundbites about only never failing if you never try etc.. All good and helpful, maybe even important, as motivation. Probably most of us need to think it's worth doing something, and to remind ourselves every now and then. But this is perhaps because most of us are not completely convinced, entitles, self-obsessed. It's no bad thing to have that bit of doubt - not the crippling stuff that leads to -abandonment of any and all enthusiasm - a bit of doubt that sharpens the critical faculties. The moment when you think something like 'people are actually going to see this' and you notice what you suddenly really don't like. But you do need to then take a step, and that's when you need the courage of your convictions. There is a certain pride, for better or worse, in finally saying I believe in this, even if others don't. I'm not the type of person who thinks everyone else must be wrong, and that if I like something I must be objectively correct, and maybe this has caused a problem of not enough confidence. With the above photo however, I feel there's something I've done I would argue is...not bad. I'd even say I like it, even if others don't. It's not perfect, but I like it. This is saying a lot for a photo I took. Of course there's usually a lot less at stake when you're dealing with a photo, even one submitted for sale or display, to a customer or into a competition, than when lives and countries are the subject of debate. A little bit of doubt, concern for others, listening and looking and feeling and less self obsession seemingly might be a good thing at the moment. Yes, it's Brexit. A fundamentalist belief in known and unknown obvious lies because they confirm what you want to believe. I'd rather have doubts than find out too late my belief wasn't enough. 

I do like the above photo though.

Brexit - a human perspective.

May really seems to believe she is a Boudicca figure. Those playing her know this. Obsessed with her place in history. Wanting to be the PM who delivered Brexit, no doubt imagining a statue on Westminster Bridge. Deluded and clinging on desperately at any cost (please let me stay, she apparently pleaded when her leadership was challenged, I'll go soon, honest) all for her own gratification. She's lost perspective completely. We can't be ruled by people like this - May, Farage, certain local councillors... You're servants, remember, so make decisions for the good of the country - not your own egos and careers. What's worse - someone who's always had money, or someone who got it and now never has enough? Someone on the Right who thinks they're better than everyone else because of a superiority complex, or the person on the Left who thinks the same because of a Messiah complex? There isn't much difference any more, Left or Right. The way to get people to do something is to pander to their vanity. Especially in politics.