The dangers of crying; “Wolf!”

British Gazette readers well know Aesop’s Fable, “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” concerning the a shepherd boy who repeatedly tricks nearby villagers into thinking a wolf is attacking his flock. When one actually does appear and the boy again calls for help, the villagers believe that it is another false alarm and the sheep (and the boy) are eaten by the wolf.
The Ancient Greek fabulist (story teller) Aesop was drawing from “The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers” where Diogenes Laërtius records Aristotle; “How are liars rewarded? Even if they tell the truth, no one believes them.”
According to the report on the Guardian however (GOTO: http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/sep/18/sturgeon-scrap-cuts-trident-another-vote-independence?CMP=EMCNEWEML6619I2) Scotland’s First Minister Ms Nicola Sturgeon is either ignoring or has forgotten the wisdom contained in this fable.
Her threats towards Cameron – for which the adjective, “clumsy” is inadequate – is sheer folly. As this lady rattles the empty can of yet another independence referendum the results of her empty rhetoric become clear; Scots will becoming increasingly irritated.
Of course, the Right Honourable, the Lord Feldman of Elstree, Minister without Portfolio and Chairman of the Conservative Party will be a VERY happy bunny!
When Lord Feldman was handed this particular chalice on the 11th May 2010, he could have been forgiven as to wondering how much poison was laced with the nectar therein. After all, the Tories had won a majority but it was a small one and with five years before the next appointment with the voters, Lord Feldman knew that his bed was not one that was full of roses.
That however was before “Satisfaction Saturday” (12 September 2015) when the yet to be “Right Honourable” Jeremy Corbyn MP won the Labour leadership contest and became the Leader of the (Her Majesty’s Loyal?) Opposition.
But then of course we are forgetting something: the luxury of opposition. This is something that Mr Corbyn and (now to a lesser extent) Ms Sturgeon have in common: they are lifelong opposers. Indeed Mr Corbyn is an Opposer par Excellence.
Mr Corbyn began his career in elected office 1974, when he was elected onto Haringey Council. He was Secretary of the Islington Constituency Labour Party (CLP) until his election as the MP for Islington North. Before now, he has never held office being a back bench MP and permanent rebel.
Being in opposition therefore is something Ms Sturgeon and Mr Corbyn have spent their whole lives doing. It is a comfortable existence. No responsibility. It has perks: Position, status, money.
Being on the radical left one is guaranteed a comfortable time whenever one appears on such as the BBC’s “Any Questions” or “Question Time” or any hustings. Then of course there is the luxury – for Mr Corbyn – of the TUC Conference – where (as long as he is Leader of the Opposition and NOT Prime Minister) is is assured of a warm welcome.
Trident is that great shibboleth for the lefties. They can pretend to wail and nash their teeth – even on the NHS dentistry is expensive so they are not actually going to grind their teeth down – and wallow in their self aggrandisement fêted by those such as Sandi Toksvig and David Mitchell.
Why would one want to change this and enter government?
For Mr Corbyn he would have to deal with the UK’s many problems. Dealing with real life problems is not the way to remain the doyen of left wing chaterati! As for Ms Sturgeon? Hers is comfortable position: Since Scotland is not an independent state but a province with devolved competences, she and her SNP colleagues can luxuriate in the ability to blame all of Scotland’s ills on those “Terrible Tories” in Westminster.
Were the day ever to come when she was answerable ALL things in Scotland this happy existence would end.
So, what does the wolf in the image represent?
The English electorate of course! For many English folk are well tired of this pantomime.
So the British Gazette has this advice to Ms Nicola Sturgeon: “Dear Lady: Put a sock in it!”
And the British Gazette’s advice to Mr Jeremy Corbyn: “Sir, Long may you walk the path you have chosen. Enjoy!”