UK Government Minister "We do not believe in capitalism"

[UK]Telegraph ^ | 27/10/2002 | Francis Elliott

[Mark Felton]

Michael Meacher, the environment minister, was left isolated by Downing Street last night after it refused to endorse his claims that the Government does not agree with capitalism.

Mr Meacher told BBC Radio 4's Any Questions: "We do not believe in capitalism. Capitalism is something that threatens inequality across the whole of society."

A Number 10 spokesman, however, refused to comment on the remarks, referring inquiries to the Labour Party, whose spokesman said: "Socialism or capitalism is a sterile argument. The world has moved on."

The remarks, however, delighted Left-wing MPs. "The party is moving away from New Labour back to its roots and I think Michael's remarks reflect that," said Paul Flynn, the Labour MP for Newport West.

The comments also caused ideological confusion among MPs identified with New Labour.

"I think there is rather a philosophical black hole here," said Barbara Follett, the Stevenage MP. "We really need an economist to sort this out."

Glenda Jackson, MP for Hampstead and Highgate and a former minister, attempted to steer the traditional "third way".

"Of course unbridled capitalism is very dangerous but we cannot deliver the advances that we want in equality outside the market economy."

Peter Mandelson, one of the architects of New Labour, adopted a policy of lofty disdain. "Michael Meacher's remarks are of no interest to me," he said.

Mr Meacher's claim that Labour does "not believe in capitalism" is likely to place Mr Blair under pressure to spell out his attitude.

He refused to endorse Mr Mandelson's claim that "we are Thatcherites now" in the summer. "We are moving away from Thatcherism now," he said.

[Mark Felton]

We are in a global battle: egalitarianism versus liberty.

Liberty is in rout...

[need_a_screen_name]

What was that Winston Churchill quote again???

[Callahan]

Looks like they've given up the "equality of opportunity" pretense in favor of pure Marxism. Makes them easier to identify and destroy.

[Mr. Mojo]

"I think there is rather a philosophical black hole here," said Barbara Follett, the Stevenage MP. "We really need an economist to sort this out."

All members of Parliament should begin reading Hayek and Friedman at once!

[VaBthang4]

"We do not believe in capitalism. Capitalism is something that threatens inequality across the whole of society."

He said what was in his heart. Another Communist dressed up in a British suit. Nothing more.

[spunkets]

They trashed Hayek over there when he published "The Road to Serfdom" during WWII. It only got worse after that. They refuse to read, think and be honest.

[Blackyce]

I disagree, socialism under the guise of "regulated" capitalism(democratic-socialism), is kicking capitalism's ass in political circles around the world. Socialism is mainstream in Europe and every other country in the Americas, we're the only ones even arguing about it anymore.

[Moonman62]

Capitalism is something that threatens inequality across the whole of society.

Capitalism is a threat to inequality. That's why the liberal elitists don't like it. They can't have the great unwashed getting the economic opportunities that would allow them to move on next door.

[Mr. Mojo]

Hell, Hakek's Serfdom was roundly trashed over on this side of the pond as well. Socialists (and communists) were everywhere in those days.

[Mr. Mojo]

Hakek = Hayek

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

The man's main crime is letting a bit of a peek out from under the skirts of Tony Blair's "Third Way" cloak.

Tony Blair (like Gerhard Shroeder) is a Vice President of Socialist International. To think that this troll isn't merely saying the unsaid is to stick one's head in the sand.

[spunkets]

Well at least he found some folks to welcome him over here. I think it was in his Introduction that he commented about his surprise that ordinary Americans enjoyed his work. He addressed the work to the highly educated and it was well recieved by Americans. The rejection of the observations and ideas in the book tell a lot about the elite that rejected it. It highlights the truth exposed.

[Mr. Mojo]

Yep, it was rejected by the 'intellectuals' in America, not the ordinary folk. ...The same brand of socialist/elitists that reject it today.

[fella]

What can you expect from the Labor Party.

[DB]

As they give up their liberty, they will continue to get poorer as a nation as well.

Their definition of "equality" demands a high price. Let them have at it...

[MissAmericanPie]

If this is the case then our wall of tariffs should be a mile high, all corporations should be forced to move their production back to this nation if they want to sell goods here.

There should be a shut down of all our technology sharing, and Techno theft should be under the death penalty. Let the Marxists stew in their own juices and starve to death.

[Jeff Chandler]

This is a transcript of some new British comedy, right?

[Utmost Certainty]

Their severely regulation-choked economies will lower our economic status as well in the long run.

[Peter Libra]

He may not believe in capitalism. I lived in England in the hard scrabble years of the thirties and forties myself.

What you can bet on is this. He and the likes of him live high on the hog. All the benefits of the filthy capitalist system are his. Yes, ten times more than the average working stiff over there.

Easy to make the connection. Just like the environmentalist with his huge property, SUV and air conditioning in the USA.

Do as I say, not as I do.To the gulag with him. I daresay ,he never did a hard days work in his life.