At the risk of sounding like a stuck record...

What is the difference really?

Bridge reckons there are idealogical differences, although I recognise neither the "know your place" Tory bit nor indeed the rather sinister "controlled by law for the benefit of society" Labour bit.   Although being a solicitor of sorts, that means Bridge gets to tell us all what to do. Now we get to the crux of the matter....

But judging late 20th and 21st century actions, what is the difference? if you go further back, Tories are for the union of Great Britain at any cost and Labour are about shafting anybody who doesn't get their hands dirty for a living. Neither stereotype describes either party nor indeed either present day creed.

Out of interest, New Labour don't control by law, they control by regulation which is not exactly the same thing. To regulate is to allow due diligence and self determination with minimum expectations. That is the Labour way, and working these days as a regulator, I like the principle. As the present government seem to like it too, it doesn't say much for the "lower orders doing as they are told" bit. Who are the lower orders Richard? I'm not and neither are any of my friends. And some of them (shock horror) are poor by the standards of a patronising "professional."