According to many accounts, Tony Blair’s memoirs would appear to be the political equivalent of a Stephen King horror story. It probably depends on your point of view, but this reviewer didn’t see anything ghostly in it.
Sadly, the memoirs did not reveal any exhortations that Gordon Brown may have made to the GB Public to back his fiscal policies by smoking and drinking in order to increase revenue.
On the contrary, figures released today by the British Beer and Pub Association
showed a 6% decline in 2009, the fourth annual decline in five years.
The association said UK drinkers were now consuming 13% less alcohol than in 2004, below the EU average.
Indeed, the emphasis of New Labour was usually on urging citizens to adopt healthier lifestyles.
Or at least not such sleazy ones.
Interesting, then to contrast this with the tactics of a true left-wing politician.
Alexei Kudrin, Russia’s Finance Minister, has called for increased consumption of tobacco and alcohol in a bid to lift the state’s revenues.
It’s a position that’s sure to spark debate in the country. “If you smoke a pack of cigarettes, that means you are giving more to help solve social problems,” commented Kudrin. “People should understand: Those who drink, those who smoke are doing more to help the state,” he continued.
Such a partying policy should be applauded. So let’s light up and get lit up.
And to start things going – I’ll provide the glasses;
My thanks to
Alexei Kudrin has urgedRussians to drink and smoke more | Metro.co.uk.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11170814
and