Who runs this place?

A key reason why people are less interested in local politics is because councillors are largely seen as irrelevant to modern life. Indeed 70 years ago local councils would have had committees controlling the buses and trams, electricity, water, housing, parks, museums, street cleaning, bin collection etc. Now many of these are run by private companies. An interesting analysis of how much this has changed is made in Anthony Sampson, in his book, 'Who Runs This Place?' The article below is a brief summary from the online version of Green World see www.greenworld.org.uk

By Richard Scrase, Editor, Green World

Anthony Sampson, in his book, Who Runs This Place?, analysed the ruling powers in contemporary Britain. It is a superb sequel to his classic, Anatomy of Britain written in 1962. In both books he attempts to describe the people and institutions who are actually running our country. The relative strengths of the different components of power, media and parliament, corporations and the rich, are summarised in both books by a diagram of overlapping circles. The larger the circle, the greater the power.

The changes from 1962 to the present day are stark. Back in 1962 Trade Unions and Aristocracy, Palace and Church, Parliament and Cabinet all had larger circles than that of the Prime Minister. There was no circle for the rich.

Today the unions and aristocracy have gone, and the circles representing Parliament and Cabinet have shrunk while the Prime Minister's has grown. Most striking though is the growth of the circles representing The Rich and Media; although the institutions of corporate capitalism remain strong, these two sectors now have huge power.

In 1962 the circles of power overlapped and the individuals inhabiting those institutions had some common experience, even if it was merely sharing the same geographical space. There was some possibility of common cause or mutual sympathy.

Today the Rich disconnect themselves from the rest of us. In 1962 the company or land owner would interact with his employees. Today the Rich interact with each other, and when at home, isolate themselves in security surrounded enclaves.

So our society is run by groups with a great degree of power, but less and less democratic accountability. As a political party our route to power is through the vote, but also by how effectively we spread our ideas for others to implement. Our party conferences have been mainly taken up with the refinement of our policy, our ideas. At our next conference in Hove, there will be the opportunity to rehearse and practice spreading our message. I look forward to seeing you there.