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Lessons from Herbert Lessons from Herbert
(about 5 hours later)
A POINT OF VIEW By Brian WaldenA POINT OF VIEW By Brian Walden
Sir Alan had a novel way of confronting issuesSir Alan had a novel way of confronting issues
Lessons from the writer AP Herbert would do well for today's tax-hungry rulers and in looking at our dominant concern - security.Lessons from the writer AP Herbert would do well for today's tax-hungry rulers and in looking at our dominant concern - security.
Sir Alan Herbert, who before he was knighted in 1945 was known as A.P. Herbert, was a poet, novelist and playwright, who wrote for the humorous magazine "Punch" while still a schoolboy at Winchester.Sir Alan Herbert, who before he was knighted in 1945 was known as A.P. Herbert, was a poet, novelist and playwright, who wrote for the humorous magazine "Punch" while still a schoolboy at Winchester.
He was also a Member of Parliament from 1935 to 1950 and was the author of the Matrimonial Causes Bill of 1937 which dramatically changed England's divorce laws.He was also a Member of Parliament from 1935 to 1950 and was the author of the Matrimonial Causes Bill of 1937 which dramatically changed England's divorce laws.
But perhaps the most notable of all his accomplishments was that he articulated, and in his own personality represented, the essence of what it then meant to be British.But perhaps the most notable of all his accomplishments was that he articulated, and in his own personality represented, the essence of what it then meant to be British.
Since he was born in 1890 and died in 1971, you may suspect that the Britain he so well understood no longer exists. Sometimes I wonder if it ever did.Since he was born in 1890 and died in 1971, you may suspect that the Britain he so well understood no longer exists. Sometimes I wonder if it ever did.
BBC NEWS: AUDIO Hear A Point of View in the BBC Radio Player BBC NEWS: AUDIO Hear A Point of View in the BBC Radio Player
Perhaps, like many others, he shaped a view of what the country was like to conform to his own image of what was attractive and virtuous. He had a dazzling wit, which he used to defend minorities and minority causes.Perhaps, like many others, he shaped a view of what the country was like to conform to his own image of what was attractive and virtuous. He had a dazzling wit, which he used to defend minorities and minority causes.
His Britain was a tolerant place where the sinner could be forgiven without too much fuss. It was also firmly committed to good humour, individualism, dislike of state control and belief in low taxes.His Britain was a tolerant place where the sinner could be forgiven without too much fuss. It was also firmly committed to good humour, individualism, dislike of state control and belief in low taxes.
Possibly A.P. Herbert was sheltered from some British realities because he didn't represent an ordinary constituency. He was an independent member for Oxford University, in the days when some seats in the House of Commons were reserved for universities.Possibly A.P. Herbert was sheltered from some British realities because he didn't represent an ordinary constituency. He was an independent member for Oxford University, in the days when some seats in the House of Commons were reserved for universities.
He had constituents who were all graduates and no Whips to threaten him, since he belonged to no political party. This is hardly typical of parliamentary life and it may be he took too sanguine a view of the virtues of his fellow-countrymen. Yet often when I'm talking to acquaintances, or reading editorials in certain newspapers, I hear the authentic voice of A.P. Herbert.He had constituents who were all graduates and no Whips to threaten him, since he belonged to no political party. This is hardly typical of parliamentary life and it may be he took too sanguine a view of the virtues of his fellow-countrymen. Yet often when I'm talking to acquaintances, or reading editorials in certain newspapers, I hear the authentic voice of A.P. Herbert.
He came to mind the other day when I read in the press a document published by the Treasury. This was a long-term public finance report, which coolly stated that the proportion of national income taken by the Exchequer in taxes will rise inexorably for the next 50 years.He came to mind the other day when I read in the press a document published by the Treasury. This was a long-term public finance report, which coolly stated that the proportion of national income taken by the Exchequer in taxes will rise inexorably for the next 50 years.
The report says this is because government spending will rise steadily throughout those years. The idea that taxpayers may not like paying ever more tax, or that government might control its expenditure better, doesn't get a mention.The report says this is because government spending will rise steadily throughout those years. The idea that taxpayers may not like paying ever more tax, or that government might control its expenditure better, doesn't get a mention.
Thoughtful wordsThoughtful words
Then I remembered one of A.P. Herbert's poems:Then I remembered one of A.P. Herbert's poems:
"Well, fancy giving money to the Government!Might as well have put it down the drain.Fancy giving money to the Government!Nobody will see the stuff again.Well, they've no idea what money's for -Ten to one they'll start another warI've heard a lot of silly things, but, Lor'!Fancy giving money to the Government!""Well, fancy giving money to the Government!Might as well have put it down the drain.Fancy giving money to the Government!Nobody will see the stuff again.Well, they've no idea what money's for -Ten to one they'll start another warI've heard a lot of silly things, but, Lor'!Fancy giving money to the Government!"
That poem represents the traditional response taxpayers are supposed to have towards spendthrift governments that demand increasing amounts of their money.That poem represents the traditional response taxpayers are supposed to have towards spendthrift governments that demand increasing amounts of their money.
That taxpayers think like this seems to some people self-evident. They also believe that these taxpayers love liberty and won't submit to state control and bureaucracy in the way other European countries are said to do.That taxpayers think like this seems to some people self-evident. They also believe that these taxpayers love liberty and won't submit to state control and bureaucracy in the way other European countries are said to do.
These sturdy taxpayers are also in favour of individual rights, family values and an Englishman's home being his castle.These sturdy taxpayers are also in favour of individual rights, family values and an Englishman's home being his castle.
This paints a very clear picture of what the nation is like. But it does pose a question. Is any of it true?This paints a very clear picture of what the nation is like. But it does pose a question. Is any of it true?
To quite a substantial chunk of public opinion that's an outrageous question.To quite a substantial chunk of public opinion that's an outrageous question.
Cameron 'knows tax cuts don't do the trick'Cameron 'knows tax cuts don't do the trick'
They know what the British want. And that's liberty, privacy and low taxes. I think I can prove that this view is widely held and passionately urged, by citing the case of the Conservative Leader, David Cameron.They know what the British want. And that's liberty, privacy and low taxes. I think I can prove that this view is widely held and passionately urged, by citing the case of the Conservative Leader, David Cameron.
Mr Cameron has become the most popular leader the Tories have had for many a long day. He tries to represent his party as friendly to all classes and his language, though modern, stirs memories of the One Nation tradition of the Conservative Party, when it was regarded by many as the natural party of government.Mr Cameron has become the most popular leader the Tories have had for many a long day. He tries to represent his party as friendly to all classes and his language, though modern, stirs memories of the One Nation tradition of the Conservative Party, when it was regarded by many as the natural party of government.
So are Mr Cameron's supporters happy with the best party political news they've had for fifteen years?So are Mr Cameron's supporters happy with the best party political news they've had for fifteen years?
Quite a lot of them aren't. Tory newspapers are full of letters from Conservative voters complaining about Mr Cameron. Sometimes a sort of code is used and they say they must have detailed policies. But usually they come straight out with what's really annoying them and demand a pledge from Mr Cameron that, if he wins, taxes will be cut.Quite a lot of them aren't. Tory newspapers are full of letters from Conservative voters complaining about Mr Cameron. Sometimes a sort of code is used and they say they must have detailed policies. But usually they come straight out with what's really annoying them and demand a pledge from Mr Cameron that, if he wins, taxes will be cut.
What's amusing and at the same time very revealing, is that the critics nearly all either say, or imply, that they can't understand how David Cameron can be such a twerp.What's amusing and at the same time very revealing, is that the critics nearly all either say, or imply, that they can't understand how David Cameron can be such a twerp.
Just promise you'll cut taxes David, they cry, and watch the voters pour out for you, including millions of disillusioned Tories who've been staying away from the polls for the last ten years because they're not convinced the Conservative Party will give them tax cuts.Just promise you'll cut taxes David, they cry, and watch the voters pour out for you, including millions of disillusioned Tories who've been staying away from the polls for the last ten years because they're not convinced the Conservative Party will give them tax cuts.
Well, there's a nice simple answer to winning elections with an A.P. Herbert flavour about it. But some questions spring to mind.Well, there's a nice simple answer to winning elections with an A.P. Herbert flavour about it. But some questions spring to mind.
If the British people think tax cuts are so good for them, why do they keep electing a Labour Government that not only doesn't promise tax cuts, but keeps spending more and more taxpayers' money on public services?If the British people think tax cuts are so good for them, why do they keep electing a Labour Government that not only doesn't promise tax cuts, but keeps spending more and more taxpayers' money on public services?
Of course Conservatives claim that a lot of it is wasted, but why do the voters care so much about public services that they encourage politicians to spend enormous amounts on them?Of course Conservatives claim that a lot of it is wasted, but why do the voters care so much about public services that they encourage politicians to spend enormous amounts on them?
What voters hearWhat voters hear
Here's another question that hints at the real state of affairs: When opinion polls ask what voters care about most, why do tax cuts never come top of the list?Here's another question that hints at the real state of affairs: When opinion polls ask what voters care about most, why do tax cuts never come top of the list?
What does come top quite regularly is the National Health Service. Could it be that many voters want to pay hefty taxes to keep the health service going?What does come top quite regularly is the National Health Service. Could it be that many voters want to pay hefty taxes to keep the health service going?
Come to think of it, didn't David Cameron, when he addressed his party conference, say that Mr Blair had said his message lay in three words"education, education, education". But he, David Cameron, had a message of three letters "NHS".Come to think of it, didn't David Cameron, when he addressed his party conference, say that Mr Blair had said his message lay in three words"education, education, education". But he, David Cameron, had a message of three letters "NHS".
Perhaps Mr Cameron has looked at some opinion polls and studied the deliberations of focus groups. He's grasped that when some Conservatives say "tax cuts," what a lot of voters hear are the words "cuts in public services".Perhaps Mr Cameron has looked at some opinion polls and studied the deliberations of focus groups. He's grasped that when some Conservatives say "tax cuts," what a lot of voters hear are the words "cuts in public services".
Are people as willing to shell out as much as they say?Are people as willing to shell out as much as they say?
Far from being a twerp, Mr Cameron has accepted that the promise of cutting taxes doesn't win general elections for the Conservative Party. The promise has been made frequently in the last 10 years, but it hasn't done the trick.Far from being a twerp, Mr Cameron has accepted that the promise of cutting taxes doesn't win general elections for the Conservative Party. The promise has been made frequently in the last 10 years, but it hasn't done the trick.
Personally, I prefer a small state and so I'm sympathetic towards the idea of reducing taxes. But I don't think the majority would agree with me. And I'm not just talking about taxation.Personally, I prefer a small state and so I'm sympathetic towards the idea of reducing taxes. But I don't think the majority would agree with me. And I'm not just talking about taxation.
There's a much bigger factor involved. I no longer believe that the British put liberty before all other considerations.There's a much bigger factor involved. I no longer believe that the British put liberty before all other considerations.
It isn't that liberty fought a battle with tyranny and lost. Nothing so dramatic and frightening happened.It isn't that liberty fought a battle with tyranny and lost. Nothing so dramatic and frightening happened.
But in Britain, liberty has been having a tug of war with security over the last fifty years or more and has been losing ground yard by yard.But in Britain, liberty has been having a tug of war with security over the last fifty years or more and has been losing ground yard by yard.
Now security is the dominant concern of the state and most people rate it more highly than any theoretical liberties they enjoy. There's one inescapable fact about security. The more security you want the less liberty you can have.Now security is the dominant concern of the state and most people rate it more highly than any theoretical liberties they enjoy. There's one inescapable fact about security. The more security you want the less liberty you can have.
State control over everyday life is expanding relentlessly. It started with a deep fear of the consequences of sickness. Who would pay the doctor's bill if the breadwinner had a long illness? Where was the money going to come from if nobody in the family had a job?State control over everyday life is expanding relentlessly. It started with a deep fear of the consequences of sickness. Who would pay the doctor's bill if the breadwinner had a long illness? Where was the money going to come from if nobody in the family had a job?
Then it became clear that society could no longer keep its criminals within traditional bounds, nor were the old lessons of right and wrong being learnt by some children.Then it became clear that society could no longer keep its criminals within traditional bounds, nor were the old lessons of right and wrong being learnt by some children.
Again the state had to intervene to offer some security against lawlessness. Inevitably the number of offences grew and they keep growing. Parliament now passes scores of new laws without scrutinising them properly.Again the state had to intervene to offer some security against lawlessness. Inevitably the number of offences grew and they keep growing. Parliament now passes scores of new laws without scrutinising them properly.
On top of all this, there is the threat of terrorism. That requires another host of restraints and restrictions. I don't know whether A.P. Herbert fairly represented his own day and age. But I know that it's gone beyond recall.On top of all this, there is the threat of terrorism. That requires another host of restraints and restrictions. I don't know whether A.P. Herbert fairly represented his own day and age. But I know that it's gone beyond recall.
Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
I thought this was an excellent analysis. The essential tension between security (in its widest sense and not just relating to freedom from terrorism) and liberty deserves to be the subject of a free standing talk on its own. The difficulty is that those who favour more liberty over increasing security are in danger of being labelled uncaring because liberty carries with it the freedom to fail.Alex Hill-Smith, London
You are mistaken, we do love liberty. Liberty from being bullied by enormous megalomaniacal corporations, liberty from ludicrously conditional medical insurance (see USA), liberty of transport on decent infrastructure (OK not as good as the French) and liberty from criminal harm (crime is down). We voted for Labour for a fairer and more equitable society, what we have is at least fairer and more equitable than it would have been after ten more years or Tory malfiance.Pete Nightingale, Reading UK
The problem with this piece as it is as simplistic, probably more so, than the view point it critiques. British society is at present split between libertarians who believe in light touch government and low(ish) taxes, and those who believe in a high dose of regulation and greater control of how things are done by professionals, and a greater say in how we spend our money. These are not simple left/right Tory/Labour views¿ though the fact that most of the media belong to the latter group, and many more of the public than the media likes us to believe belong to the first group, means that the 'public debate' is rather one sided. I know of no greater source of concern in my local than intrusive government, and just because we can bear the tax burden at present doesn't mean people are happy to see money wasted.Dr G Fincham, Norwich
I agree with Brian Walden! It's terrible that the state is taking money from us, the comfortably well-off, in an effort to make the country a better place! If only we could get rid of the government we'd become a peaceful paradise state like Somalia! They got rid of any idea of having a government ten years ago and their state has been much improved! Well done Mr Walden!Jacob, London
A very telling comment "Tory Newspapers are full of letters complaining about Mr Cameron." True in many ways, but more accurately they are full of letters from aging Tory votes complaining. They fail to realise that the political and social landscape has changed, that issues such as environment & public services are far more important to the next generation. It is our future not theirs and we feel it should be dictated by someone other than a 60 year old lifetime Tory who believes tax cuts is the answer to everything. The youth of the party is behind the leader.Nick, Slough
Why nowhere in the text do you explain the picture of the cow? I am guessing he is using the cow as a cheque at a bank, but this is only as I have a memory of hearing a story aboutthat.Barnaby, Oxford
I very much doubt if we have much to learn from AP Herbert. He sounds like an archetypical Upper Class buffoon and his notion of Britain reflects only his narrow cloistered life. And how very "amusing" were his arguements for paying less tax. Nice if you are from his background but less so for the majority of working people forced to live in poverty at that time.Matthew Howes, Brentwood
AP Herbert was my Great Grandfather, and though he, rather inconveniently, died before I got any real chance to know him, his independance from the levers of political power allowed him to express an insight that I imagine would mean he would still be very popular today. On the broader point, it is clear to me, through spending a great deal of time discussing politics on the doorstep with people in Chesterfield, that most of them at this moment are far more concerned about public services running out of money than the likelihood that they will, hence the fact that they will support a party that uses their money on public services ahead of one that will cut public services but give people a bit of cash to buy their own. All of this is only underpinned by a stable economy. If that starts going off the rails, then that goodwill would be withdrawn. The strength of anti government feeling currently also spells out that people are unconvinced that their money is now being spent wisely and that is one of the government's biggest challenges over the next 30 months if it is to win a fourth term. People will pay for public services but they demand a clear improvement and value for money for their investment.Toby Perkins, Chesterfield, Derbyshire
The crux of the matter is "nor were the old lessons of right and wrong being learnt by some children". It is not that the lessons were not learned but that the old reasons behind the lessons were no longer applicable. Traditionally the ideas of right and wrong were explain by reference to the religious metaphor. With the coming of the social contract the external judge idea did not work. Right is right, and wrong wrong, not because a deity says so; right and wrong are, albeit unconsciously, mutually accepted parts of a contract between the members of a society. We live in large groups, far larger than our ancestors, because, according to idea of a contract, it is beneficial to all. When that contract is not beneficial to all, the sanctions of right and wrong no longer exist. It is the failure of most political parties in Britain to wake up to this fact that causes social conflicts. Crime rates rise and fall with wealth disparity: the most violent countries are those where the disparity is widest. It is not the case that right and wrong were not taught to some children, it is that some children saw, or understood instinctively, that although the lessons were taught they were not taught fully: it is as wrong to make man have the need to steal as it is for a man to steal. Yours with best regardscallum Mchardy, Madrid/Spain
The problem is that such a large proportion of the population are now government employees - between 20% to 50% depending on which part of the UK you are in. These people naturally see tax cuts as a threat, and vote as a block for whoever promises to tax more - generally Labour. It is of course essentially a pyramid scheme, but what can you expect when you put democratically elected politicians in charge of both education and the mass media? So much for Britain.Rob Spear, London, UK
Brilliantly diagnosed, but very depressing to those of us who do prefer real liberty to virtual security. Since loss of control of their own lives makes people more fearful and dependent, the provision of "security" can only lead to demands for more. At what point does it stop?Guy Herbert (no relation), London
Thank God someone has mentioned 'these sturdy taxpayers'. Apparently, 'The Taxpayer' is an impeccably moral individual, although his/her moral nature is wholly dependent upon the financial contribution she/he makes to the exchequer. This explains the rise in crime during the 80s, since millions of people were having their ethics oblterated due to poverty. 'The Taxpayer' is an invention of speech-writers and newspaper editors, and is designed to inculcate a sense of guilt in individuals who don't conform to 'accepted' values.John Dunford, Tyneside, England.
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