politics and issues

[beamends]

have the veterans noticed the festival becoming less political over the years, with the loss of the leftfield this year it will become a lot less. This is another vital area that differs Glasto from the commerical festivals. Would loved to have gone in the CND era. Did the hedonism of the rave culture bring an end to Glasto as a gathering for the like minded? I love wandering around the festival and seeing all the different people and the different reasons that they are there. Just seems sad that a lot of the youth of the day just want to be seen on the tele. Come on youth take the baton.

[Chimps in Balaclavas]

He's not the Messiah (He's a very naughty boy)!

.... Sorry lol

[micawber]

TBH, I'm not interested in partisan politics. If I wanted that then I'd go to the TUC or a party conference. But I'd be pretty bored. Even the great Tony Benn gets hammered down if he is even perceived as slightly deviating from the tried and tested line. Now, if there was the slightest chance of having a lively and vigorous but good humoured and polite debate then I'd be all up for that. Is there a chance? Not really, eh?

[Peache Calhoon]

In this forum there has been a lot of talk about the last 20 years

For those of you are interested the below crash course is quite interesting (not Glastonbury related but thought provoking never the less)

http://www.chrismartenson.com/crashcourse

it will take you an hour or so and can be a bit dry, do it a bit at a time maybe.

This is just if your interested

[russycarps]

The lack of a ideological demagogue like Thatcher to focus on has made the old school campagining spirit of festival counter-culture less visible. But it's still there in the many single issues being talked about up in the Green Fields.

[daveinafield]

where you around when Thatcher was! no way Blair and Brown are in her league - but Cameron is - be careful with your vote. No way would there be a minimum wage now. I really think people forget how destructive 18 yrs of Tory rule was and how bad it was.

[russycarps]

where you around when Thatcher was! no way Blair and Brown are in her league - but Cameron is - be careful with your vote. No way would there be a minimum wage now. I really think people forget how destructive 18 yrs of Tory rule was and how bad it was.

Edited March 18, 2009 by russycarps

[no1_foxymama]

Ooooh, do you reakon for the first time in years then there will be a break from the 3 leading parties (who, like you say russy, there is so little difference between in their policies it doesn't matter WHO you actually vote for cause its all so centralised...apart from the fact I couldn't physically vote Conservative cause they're a whole pack of laiz affaire twats) for people to actually think a little outside the box politically and look for other parties? I would like to see that, although something inside me worries deeply about the media reports of the growing support for the BNP...could this be counter-acted if the SP and SWP actually organised more political events? I would like to see that.

I understand that politics isn't everyone's bag, young or old, BUT in terms of Glasto I'm sure everyone can see the point of the stalls in the green fields and the work that has happened in the Leftfield for so many years. I definately think the Leftfield will be replaced with something similar, it has to be, its such an integral part of what Glastonbury is.

[daveinafield]

yes the BNP is a big danger you have to think about it, but cos of us bleating about Brown/Blair Cameron will get in and you will see then in comparison - you use the word scum - Nazi's are scum, Fascists are scum, a socialist goverment will sadly never be elected in this country as it is on the whole conservative which is what appealed to me about Glasto as it represents the other and the free thinkes not the smalltown englanders that worry that the price of petrol is up again

[JameSemajj]

i'm loving the sweeping generalisations on this thread

[beamends]

where you around when Thatcher was! no way Blair and Brown are in her league - but Cameron is - be careful with your vote. No way would there be a minimum wage now. I really think people forget how destructive 18 yrs of Tory rule was and how bad it was.

[daveinafield]

i'm loving the sweeping generalisations on this thread

[russycarps]

i'm loving the sweeping generalisations on this thread

[Peache Calhoon]

yes the BNP is a big danger you have to think about it, but cos of us bleating about Brown/Blair Cameron will get in and you will see then in comparison - you use the word scum - Nazi's are scum, Fascists are scum, a socialist goverment will sadly never be elected in this country as it is on the whole conservative which is what appealed to me about Glasto as it represents the other and the free thinkes not the smalltown englanders that worry that the price of petrol is up again

[daveinafield]

I was around then. Thatcher didn't do any great favours and was decidedly unpopular for her policies, but Brown and Blair have totally discredited the actual mechanisms of government, side stepping Parliament on almost everything, appointing unelected (slime ball) Ministers, effectively supporting and encouraging sleeze, and simply lying. Even Thatcher couldn't manage to destroy confidence in the whole political/government system to the point where many, many people simply don't believe a single thing that any government department says.

And the really depressing thing is that there is no alternative on the horizon.

[beergut100]

I'm 24 (not the sprightly 18 year old type but still young enough to fall into the yoof of today...just!) and I have to say the pull of Glasto, for me, is the political aspect. Of course, I go and I watch bands, but to be able to wander through the green fields and show your support for charities looking out for the welfare of third world countries, learn more about the work of the CND and seeing figures such as Tony Benn MAKE the festival what it is....the best place on earth.

I know it seems that there is a general apathy for political activism in my generation, but I think there are many factors which contribute to this....the fact is, Thatcherism had a profound effect on culture during the time that most of us were getting born, and its an ethos that has somehow managed to internalise itself within so amny people of my own age. Mass consumerism has always been around, but I don't believed it has been so glamourised as it has been in the past 20 years or so. I heartily believe this, coupled with the past 10 years sky-rocket in celebrity culture, that has cause this apathy. Its just so sad, because I feel wonderful to be involved in political activities (I've just joined my local Amnesty group and a friend of mine has set up a solidarity network in our area recently for those with feminist and socialist beliefs), and I just wish people would open their eyes to how excellent having a say in things can be!

Cripes, I seem to have ranted a bit here, but my point was, 'oldies', keep the faith, cause some of us realise the brilliant work that Glastonbury does to encorporate political features to the festival!

[Stuzo]

The glory of politics, and something the Leftfield encouraged, why don't we as a collective do our own thing, unofficial and all, wherever in the site on the things that concern us most

[daveinafield]

i manned the phones for labour students in an election in 1994 and felt i as doing the right thing - id rather be poor in todays britain then back then. i also did festival stewarding for labour students the same year and swore id never go back as it was not fit to even be mentioned in the same breath as glasto

remember it was the tories who completely altered the infrastructure of this country, replaced its soul, greed had already taken over, commerce and marketing the new religion....now whos for the latest iphone thingy???

i once said id be willing to queue for glasto tickets but got shot down its much easier to sit on your arse infront of a computer riddled with adsverts aint it?

[bombfrog]

To be honest, all the lefty politics at Glastonbury annoys the hell out of me.

A tent full of socialists preaching (ranting) to the converted will not be missed by me.

[beergut100]

Just to make a historical comment

Nazism, officially National Socialism refers to the ideology and practices of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party

Just a note to be careful of 'isms' (Socialism or Capitalism) many crimes have been done in there name.

[beergut100]

To be honest, all the lefty politics at Glastonbury annoys the hell out of me.

A tent full of socialists preaching (ranting) to the converted will not be missed by me.

[alframsey]

sadly most of the youth these days couldnt give a shit about politics. The majority of the youth of today are utterly selfish and totally dedicated to materialistic pursuits. I find the next generation completely depressing.

Have you ever tried having a chat to an 18 year old about politics? They tend to be frighteningly ill informed and totally disinterested.

[alframsey]

The loss of leftfield is tragic if a like minded place does not appear. I am assuming (hoping?) there will be a place for politics this year. If not....well a large part of glastonbury has died.

Politics is in extreme danger of becoming more and more the sole preserve of the rich who have gone through public school and oxbridge. The youth of today see going on reality TV and making a million pounds for themselves as the ultimate life ambition, not going into politics and making a difference in the world. Sad, so very sad.

[alframsey]

As a 43 year old, everyone of my ageish needs to look at why this might be. Kids dont grow up on their own, they take the education we gve them. Some young uns are very politically active and motivated - the fella below being a prime example

I think oldies need to take most of the responsibility. We've (as a generation) spent most of the past 2 decades thinking how wonderful life is. What is there to be politically motivated about if life's seemingly that good. Im hoping the current recession might open a lot of eyes (and bring a new exciting music scene whilst we're at it!)

[alframsey]

He's not the Messiah (He's a very naughty boy)!

.... Sorry lol