In 1983 Neil Kinnock made an iconic speech, it was just two days before the General Election, and he knew he was about to loose to the Conservatives and Margaret Thatcher.
As the blog Owen Abroad says "He scribbled the notes from which he delivered the speech in the car on the way to the rally, and his voice was hoarse from campaigning."
The world has moved on since then, but I think we should be reminded of what he said, as some say, the speech could also be levelled at David Cameron's Conservative led Coalition Government. Not that the previous Labour Government can escape any criticism, as some of the below could also easily apply to them.
With thanks to the blog Owen Abroad here is the full text:
If Margaret Thatcher is re-elected as prime minister on Thursday, I warn you.
I warn you that you will have pain–when healing and relief depend upon payment.
I warn you that you will have ignorance–when talents are untended and wits are wasted, when learning is a privilege and not a right.
I warn you that you will have poverty–when pensions slip and benefits are whittled away by a government that won’t pay in an economy that can’t pay.
I warn you that you will be cold–when fuel charges are used as a tax system that the rich don’t notice and the poor can’t afford.
I warn you that you must not expect work–when many cannot spend, more will not be able to earn. When they don’t earn, they don’t spend. When they don’t spend, work dies.
I warn you not to go into the streets alone after dark or into the streets in large crowds of protest in the light.
I warn you that you will be quiet–when the curfew of fear and the gibbet of unemployment make you obedient.
I warn you that you will have defence of a sort–with a risk and at a price that passes all understanding.
I warn you that you will be home-bound–when fares and transport bills kill leisure and lock you up.
I warn you that you will borrow less–when credit, loans, mortgages and easy payments are refused to people on your melting income.
If Margaret Thatcher wins on Thursday–
- I warn you not to be ordinary
- I warn you not to be young
- I warn you not to fall ill
- I warn you not to get old.
As the blog Owen Abroad says "He scribbled the notes from which he delivered the speech in the car on the way to the rally, and his voice was hoarse from campaigning."
The world has moved on since then, but I think we should be reminded of what he said, as some say, the speech could also be levelled at David Cameron's Conservative led Coalition Government. Not that the previous Labour Government can escape any criticism, as some of the below could also easily apply to them.
With thanks to the blog Owen Abroad here is the full text:
If Margaret Thatcher is re-elected as prime minister on Thursday, I warn you.
I warn you that you will have pain–when healing and relief depend upon payment.
I warn you that you will have ignorance–when talents are untended and wits are wasted, when learning is a privilege and not a right.
I warn you that you will have poverty–when pensions slip and benefits are whittled away by a government that won’t pay in an economy that can’t pay.
I warn you that you will be cold–when fuel charges are used as a tax system that the rich don’t notice and the poor can’t afford.
I warn you that you must not expect work–when many cannot spend, more will not be able to earn. When they don’t earn, they don’t spend. When they don’t spend, work dies.
I warn you not to go into the streets alone after dark or into the streets in large crowds of protest in the light.
I warn you that you will be quiet–when the curfew of fear and the gibbet of unemployment make you obedient.
I warn you that you will have defence of a sort–with a risk and at a price that passes all understanding.
I warn you that you will be home-bound–when fares and transport bills kill leisure and lock you up.
I warn you that you will borrow less–when credit, loans, mortgages and easy payments are refused to people on your melting income.
If Margaret Thatcher wins on Thursday–
- I warn you not to be ordinary
- I warn you not to be young
- I warn you not to fall ill
- I warn you not to get old.
2 comments:
Sorry, but only a fool would ever listen to anything Neil Kinnock had to say.
Rather an embarrassment for Wales the Kinnock family have proven to be.
No need to apologise Henry, some of us have broad shoulders.
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