There was an unusual event in the Lords chamber on Friday when 146 cadets and 46 veterans filled the government and opposition benches. Friends and family occupied the galleries and cross benches. Many were in uniform and amongst the veterans were Chelsea pensioners in their red coats. A lively and colourful scene in the grandeur of the chamber.
This was the once a year occasion when non members debate in the House of Lords. The debate marked the approaching centenary of the outbreak of World War I and asked what is its legacy for the UK and how does it affect us today? Have we become a more globally responsible nation? Has it made us more aware of the impact of war? Have we or have we not learned from the experience? There were six three minute speeches for and against from the dispatch box, followed by 35 short contributions from the back benches and three wind up speeches. So there was plenty of participation.
The House then voted and the majority decided that the United Kingdom has not learned from its experience of the First World War. Judging from the contributions, we had not learned diplomatically because we had allowed ourselves to get into more wars. We had not learned socially because we had failed to properly look after those who had been injured mentally and physically and those that had been bereaved. Nor had we learned militarily because we had not adjusted to the changing nature of war resulting in unnecessary loss of life.
In spite of these doubts, many spoke of the excellence of our armed forces and their special place in British life. But when the new generation tells us that we haven’t learned from the experience of the First World War, our older generation has to sit up and take notice. Peers have to debate this themselves and carefully identify the lessons that our children and grandchildren are telling us we haven’t learned.
I watched this House of Lords debate and for me it was captivating. The Lords, should, as you say, take note of the younger set that watch and despair.
However, that aside, to organise and promote this the way it was gives hope. To show how democracy should be working for those who participated can only infuse their psyche with possibility and the absolute knowledge that they are, after all, in charge.
It is especially important for us to take note as we are an unelected House.
In the current facts-on-the-ground TV documentary
called “Doomsday 2210”
a leading researcher and observer says
(“) We humans have the extraordinary propensity to see Disaster approaching but do nothing to prevent it”(“).
There is also more to make us sit up on our seats, and squirm worse;
“Ecopolis” Science Nobel prizewinner Professor Kammen’s TV documentary series [top-priority for us to start eco-technologically saving-our-major-cities: ].
“How Many People Can Live On Planet Earth” (Environmental Scientists, Technologists & Real-Life experts, TV documentary one-off, hoisted by David Attenborough.
Whilst one ought also to be following such outspoken analysts as Stacy Herbert and Max Keiser (RT News “The Keiser Report”)
about the financial and big-industry corruptions, and literal-insanities, erosively, and very often destructively, dominating
[domineering would be a much more apposite term]
both our Global-“Economics” and our Local little-lives,
what’s-the-point, whilst we are still dumbed-down
by a pseudo-democracy, UK heavily-blinkered education systems, the self-serving sensationalising Media, and sinecurely-luxurious local-community powers,
and prevented even from seriously conversing about Oncoming Disasters and especially about our Real-Needs and their Affordable-Hows;
much less can we rationally Discuss them.
I am glad to hear of the open debate, which if you compare the Roman forum and senate with our own modern parliament, it nearly always is, any way, except that some people successfully endeavour to make it exclusive and elitist.
I do not share the noble Lord’s opinions but that may only be a matter of debate.
Debate is where we start. We then move onto well considered action and this is where we’ll learn the lesson I hope.