the bird needing 2 wings to fly idea was a quote in tony benn's diaries attributed to an old labour (in both senses) politician in the 70s - eric heffer. i use that in my labour party branch meetings= we get along pretty well.

there are some things in the UK - particularly our public services and recently privatised industries- that are supported by and even cherished by a majority of people here - even conservatives and their ilk. it's odd- while that party are actively working to starve and sell-off (NHS for example, or benefits for disabled people) much of what makes our country just about a good place to live - people will still vote tory.

i've come to the sad conclusion that people actually think we ought to be ruled by toffs. (and people love to have an enemy to fight) even while they are clearly not working in their interests.

ach, i'll stop rambling- i don't think the terms left/right mean much anymore (until recently there has never been much difference between labour/tory or democrat/republican} it's more whether you have a 'closed' or 'open' - outlook. whatever you are manners cost nowt

'all the problems in the world are caused by the fact that we can't understand each other' - but we all need to try