The new socialism

Anthony Barnett (London, OK): Newsnight got hold of an advanced copy of the Zac Goldsmith, John Gummer report on the Quality of Life last night and had a go at very rich men saying that in the UK now "increasing material gain is not a gift but a burden" - thus taking the cheap shot, ad hominem approach while appearing to be highbrow. Much the most interesting response was from that footman of Thatcherism Tim Congdon whose response to the report's headlines was a considered, “I think that environmentalism is the new socialism, it's an excuse for new regulation, new controls, new rules and in the end more bureaucrats, more government spending". He conceded that IF "we are responsible for global warming we may have to do something about it", but felt sure that the report's suggestion that action is needed now "is premature". Early this year Congdon wrote in the Telegraph, "I never imagined that the modern Conservative Party would again embrace old-fashioned Tory paternalism, with a frank advocacy of expanding the state's responsibilities" and he said he would consider voting for UKIP. It's a pity, because this will allow both right and left to dismiss him as a ridiculous fellow. However, though it does not necessarily mean more bureaucrats there is a way in which environmentalism is indeed the new form of socialism. With Tony Juniper of Friends of the Earth welcoming the Tory report the possibility of significant repositioning is taking place. Especially as Zac also links his environmentalism with radical democracy, as we have been reporting here in OK. Taken separately, serious environmentalism and radical democracy can each be tagged as maverick. Together they start to make a politics.