This is spectator so they are taking the most extreme right wing viewpoint on Labour’s recent policies to improve the nation’s health. I disagree with how they characterise it for the most part but they do seem to put their finger on the kind of authoritarian impulses inside the party. Definitely think the author misses the mark with their badly thought out/unsupported angle about it being patronising class politics.

I was too young to take in much when John Major was in power but remember New Labour with Blair/Brown very well. They were also keen to make similar kind of policies that were - for lack of a better phrase - nanny state-ish. I found it interesting thinking about that legacy.

Should also mention that both parties tend towards these types of policies. I suspect the civil service are keen on them and they test well in focus groups.

Article is paywalled so will post it in comments.

  • @Jackthelad
    link
    English
    03 months ago

    Because Brits love being told what to do.