What has socialism ever done for us.

The season of Party Conferences is coming to an end and, as usual, they generated more noise than light. I'll admit to being partisan but I must say that the Tories won the 'play the man, rather than the ball' competition by a mile. Their attacks on Jezza took the place of any clear exposition of their policies. When they blindly attack socialism or ‘Comrade Corbyn’ and parrot the claim that Britain under him would be akin to living in Venezuela, perhaps it's time to remind ourselves that Britain has embraced socialism over the last century. What people don’t consider, or care to admit, is that many of the Great British Institutions that we take for granted are actually socialist principles - and I do mean socialist principles and not Tory political expediency. For example, consider the following:

Being able to send your child to a state school and access to education for everyone is socialist.

Paying for the NHS via National Insurance, and having free healthcare at the point of use is socialist.

Having equal or free access to the legal system is socialist.

Helping the disabled, weak or vulnerable in society is socialist.

Gender and sexual equality are socialist.

Good public transport and utilities are socialist.

Intervening in monopolies to stop the consumer being held to ransom or exploited is socialist.

A fair deal for workers is socialist.

And there are more of these, based on principle and not vote-seeking expediency. But be wary; the socialist elements of our life are being slowly eroded away from under our noses. Think about it a little. Think about how much you value them. Think about how much you'd miss them. You never know, you may realise that a little part of you is…. a socialist (eeek!).