The reason for this section.

 

Having something to say about the outmoded system of government it seems we're expected to be proud of here in the UK, and in so doing criticizing the puerile behaviour of people who supposedly represent us, we quickly discover that members of the Westminster/Whitehall club have a carefully orchestrated routine for  dealing  with the dissenting voices of those who are not.

 

Where they represent the concerns of individuals with little or no public support or popular following......they ignore them. They do this sure in the knowledge that the news-media will also ignore them given that their views  lack the impact to sell newspapers or improve viewing figures and ratings......but should any of these voices demonstrate an ability to call upon one or more individuals with meaningful public profiles to support their position.......they set out with one voice to dismiss their opinions as ideas born of ignorance or intellectual inferiority, or in cases potentially capable of claiming extensive public support, by seeking to uncover  something in the private or professional lives of the individuals concerned that can be used, spun or twisted to devalue what they have to say.  The news-media are happy to cooperate with them in this regard.

 

An example. Many years ago, observing the activities of the Callaghan government, I wrote a long letter to the Financial Times on the subject of the Equal Pay Act, Sex Discrimination Act and various enactments of the time, pointing out the possibility that an ulterior motive lay behind some of the legislation. The newspaper published the letter and I was inundated with telephone calls from national newspapers and magazines.

 

Was the logic of my argument compelling? Did they share my concerns? Had I pointed out something they had failed to see? Apparently none of these things. Indeed, as soon as I explained that my company was not a satellite of a prominent group in the City as they thought it might be, they displayed no interest whatsoever in my argument or anything I had to say. Argument right or wrong, they didn't care......only whether or not my saying it was newsworthy. 

 

As some of you will know, my novel,  Wilder's Women, deals with the obsessive, self-interest at the heart of the British Establishment and how a group of people set out to use it to change our System of government.

 

I am currently engaged in writing its sequel;  Wetherby's Dilemma, but will add to this page occasionally, at the same time asking if you'd care to submit something for inclusion here?

 

No matter what the subject, the wider the debate the better. A chorus of whispers has the capacity to be deafening.

 

Thank you. I shall look forward to hearing from you.

 

Items for inclusion to www.peterwatts@pdw313.plus.com