Zombie Politics
No, it has nothing to do with the dead rising from the grave and eating brains convening a parliament. Rather, I presume that it is supposed to be a damning indictment of Cameron and the Conservative Party:
This zombie politics offers rich pickings to a clever opposition. While the party in power gets on with the hugely complex, difficult business of government, the opposition party can get to play therapist to the nation: “Of course you’re worried, I understand how you feel. We feel it too. I know it’s not fair. It shouldn’t be like this.” The text message instructions emanating from Cameron on holiday on his luxury yacht has got to be: “Keep simpl. No detil. EMOTE.” (The Guardian)
Except it’s not really very damning, is it? The government is there to “get on with the hugely complex, difficult business of government”, and the opposition to try and “play therapist to the nation”. It is exactly what happens no matter which party is in power. The difference is how well they play their parts.
Labour is failing to deal with the business of government, and the Conservatives are doing very well as the nation’s therapist. But by the time the general election comes round in 2010, as seems likely, the Conservatives will have developed a detailed set of policy proposals written as a prescription.
But here’s the crunch point: whilst the Conservatives are playing “zombie politics”, Labour are playing vampire politics. Emerging from the dark and drinking your blood taking all your money.
