Fantasy | Socialist Action 1983

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page 8 of the scan

For all these reasons, Mr Gorbachev's visit and Howe's travels are of nollllig NO Me hollow glory in this interlude before thẹ basic power factors of East-West reasser themselves. It all typifies Thatcherism everything from the Malvinas to humiliating Garret FitzGerald: theatrical bombfor home consumption. simultaneously makes the Tory lower middle classes believe that the British state is mighty again while actually helping along the galloping decline When the bubble finally bursts for the Tory masses who today hold their heads up high to bellow Rule Britannia — and burst it eventually must -those same masses will be on the rampage baying for somebody's blood Who will burst the bubble? Reagan? Thatcher herself by being fooled by her own bombast? And will she find a scape-goat?

One thing is increasingly certain: Thatcher's Great Power fantasy is less likely to end with a whimper than with a bang.

page 9 of the scan

world revolution Socialist Action 21 December 1984