In New Statesman, John Gray discusses the recent British election in light of climate change and peak oil, concluding:
Whatever happens in the coming years, we can be sure Britain will be gloriously unprepared. It is fashionable to bemoan public estrangement from politics, but the election campaign showed that in one respect at least, the people and the political class are at one. Neither is ready to question the status quo and think how to face the future. As a result, crucial issues about Britain’s future are likely to be determined by events that voters and politicians prefer not to think about.
James Wolcott thinks “everything he says about the mass sleepwalk to the lemming cliffs applies doubly, triply, to our own hollow elections and cooked-up distractions.”
Wolcott also has this to say:
Speculating on what the election might portend for “the special relationship” between the U.S. and Britain that we’re all sick of hearing about, Watson noted that Blair did not distance himself from Bush and the Iraq war despite the unpopularity of both with the British public. Blair remained loyal and steadfast, and took his lumps (a loss of Labour seats).
To reward Blair and express his gratitude, [CNN’s Carlos] Watson said, don’t be surprised if Bush bends a little on issues significant to Blair, such as global warming and international aid.
Allow me to hazard a counter-prediction.
George Bush will do fuck-all nothing about global warming.
