"I think perhaps we have regressed to such an extent socially that we have no chance of changing a system built on greed and envy for one based on personal freedom and happiness."

I don't believe this Ake (or in my naivety I choose not too), and I think there is hope for some sort of return to the politics of ideals rather than economics. I think socialism has a role to play in modern society as does capitalism. Capitalism is not an intrinsically bad system but it's utterly incapable of self-regulation and this is where some sort of socialist-based system of government could make a difference. Take the capitalists ability to ride roughshod over everything and everyone in order to turn a profit and force them via legislation to take responsibility for their actions, both at home and abroad.

I'm not talking about Kenynesian economic intervention here, but a step beyond that. The re-nationalisation of the country's infrastructure and the NHS would be a start, and the building of new council houses and the abandonment of the Trident upgrade would also be a priority.

One of the main problems with modern politics is the lack of any intellectuals or deep political thinkers engaged in mainstream political life. Thatcher and the tories balk at the use of the term 'intellectual' even; it doesn't tie in with their boorish world view that money is the god we should all worship. Heck, it's been bandied about on this site enough as an insult and that really does show how dumbed-down we've become. Blair continued with Thatcher's work in this regard, surrounding himself with execrable media wonks like Alistair Campbell and spineless yes-men (and women) instead of people with some sort of sound or original ideological pedigree; the same gutless tossers who were pickpocketing the taxpayers whilst still having the gall to pay lip service to the party's socialist roots.

Cameron on the other hand, is being seen for what is. Bereft of any policies at all, playing constantly to the (press) gallery and struggling to hide the class prejudice that runs through the party like letters through rock it seems like the rest of the country might have cottoned on to the fact the Emperor is in the nip. Surrounded by his raffish buddies (with the exception of Eric Pickles, the rank outsider left in the team to fool that most gullible of buffoons, the working-class tory that they give a shit), Cameron can feel the proles and plebs slipping away from him as people realise that even though Gordon comes across as a bit media-unsavvy it might be better the devil you know rather than handing over the country to the toffs and supercilious, elitist whelps that make up the shadow cabinet.

We need original thinkers back in politics; both sides are in danger of sliding into an American-style political morass of commercial-led decisions taking precedence over the well-being of their citizens. Perhaps we're already there, if so it would be a sad betrayal of all the radicals and reformists that have gone before us and made our collective political heritage the treasure-house of wisdom through struggle it is.