Re: Britain outside the EU
 

Re: Britain outside the EU
 

Or probably because it doesn’t meaningfully exist in UK politics.

It only exists as a relative point in the centre (to the left of the right and the far right).

Re: Britain outside the EU
 

Re: Britain outside the EU
 

Give us an explanation then? When you say it, what do you mean and know it to mean in Pierre/Pip/OBs heads?

Re: Britain outside the EU
 

Re: Britain outside the EU
 

It means what he wants it to mean, and by keeping it undefined, doesn’t allow contradiction.

But no one else can do the same with "right wing", because, you know, "reasons"… :dozey:

The 'right’ is well understood. Everyone knows it, including you. ;)

Re: Britain outside the EU
 

So you don't really know. Thanks for clearing that up, you can only dodge for so long before you look foolish.

Re: Britain outside the EU
 

I don't think it's necessarily useful to benchmark the features of one side but not the other. So I'll have a go from left to right, but essentially in my head (economically) it's a sliding scale of the role of the state from full control of almost everything (Soviet model) to controlling the bare minimum (defence spending, basic infrastructure) with all previous functions of the state privatised or simply not done. In absolute terms on the extreme right economically, this probably isn't seen anywhere as even the most 'small state' right wing politicians recognise the value of education as babysitting, or a basic level of social security for pensioners/disabled).

On the sliding scale there's debate about the role of the state in carrying out a vast range of economic activity as a direct supplier/consumer and employer with the ability to influence markets significantly by, or declining to, spend. Left wing more often correlates with higher spending, citing the value in the outputs that the state can achieve with economies of scale that the private sector simply cannot.

On the right it's lower tax, less public services with the private sector filling (and charging for) the void. Even where the state has to intervene in the market it's often through regulating the private sector, or subsidising it, rather than taking direct control.

Few people view these as absolutes with a one size fits all approach across the board. However, a non-exhaustive list would be the role of the state (if any) in funding or regulating private companies in healthcare, social care, housing, higher/further education, public transport services and infrastructure, energy, telecommunications, water infrastructure. Without taking the time to weight them if someone thinks the state should be extremely active as an economic actor in all of those that would place them further to the left and none of those other than light touch (or no) regulation that would be further to the right.

Socially I think it get's more complex than portrayed - I think some on the right when they are losing the economic argument like to weaponise social issues whereas. Others on the right would be absolute in their view of a person's right to a private life and what they do (and who they do it with) within the law isn't anything to do with the state. The trans issue is more complex given the amounts of public money seemingly going to charities to push the message and ultimately medication/surgery on the NHS is a cost which brings in the question of whether it's a lifestyle choice or a medical need.

Nationalism is more frequently associated with the right socially, as is anti-immigration. That's not to say everyone on the right (and no-one on the left) holds those views. Right wing economics relies the world over upon immigration to drive down costs (or up efficiencies in the private sector.

Re: Britain outside the EU
 

Sorry, it’s Friday and I’ve had a drink, no way I’m reading all that………..

Re: Britain outside the EU
 

:D

Re: Britain outside the EU
 

Re: Britain outside the EU
 

If ‘left’ is well understood, that means people know what it is (according to you), and the corollary of that is that since the ‘left’ is what the right isn’t, if you know what the ‘left’ is, then the ‘right’ is what’s left (so to speak), and is thus defined.

hope this helps…

Re: Britain outside the EU
 

Ffs, Hugh, confused.com....:D

Re: Britain outside the EU
 

Really good analysis of the new fiction of 'woke capitalism' and its relation to Brexit:

https://twitter.com/chrisgreybrexit/...60220420743174

Re: Britain outside the EU
 

Believe harder and it'll be alright