Never trust a Tory...

Over in Hyde Park in Leeds there is a piece of graffiti which reads "Never trust a junkie". On more than a few occasions I have been tempted to amend it to "Never trust a Tory" since they are one and the same. They tell you want you want to hear but the moment your back is turned they have their hands in your wallet.

As someone of a natural (libertarian) conservative disposition I have come to learn over the years that Conservatives only ever say things if there is a vote to be had. Hence why I find myself in the company of libertarians with whom I do not always agree.

While I have remarked that ideology must be our guide and not our ruler I am more favourably disposed to those who stand by principle because even when they are willing to compromise there are lines they will not cross. That cannot be said for the Tories. There is no line they will not cross if the wind is blowing that particular way.

We have seen two decades of prevarication and procrastinating over Europe and the referendum question is beginning to look like the Ross and Rachel "will they, won't they" saga on the US sitcom "Friends". And so it comes as no surprise that on a local level there are mixed messages.

We have seen three years worth of Camoron making substanceless pronouncements on his commitment to "fighting the effects of climate change", but today we learn from Norfolk Blogger that this only extends as far as window dressing tools such as windmills. While there is evidently squillions in the kitty for Carbon Capture Storage, in terms of real pragmatic preparations for the possible effects of climate change, the people of Norfolk are expected to fend for themselves.

Whether or not you accept that man made climate change is real, the effects of coastal erosion and flooding in Norfolk are very real. While we as libertarians are somewhat laissez faire, we do draw the line at allowing our kinfolk to drown. But this is pretty typical of policy making in Norfolk. Donning my tinfoil hat for a moment, I must question if there is a connection between this and the plan announced in March last year to allow a sizable portion of Norfolk to be ceded to the sea. I think we should be told.