217. Manifesto; movie review

 


MANIFESTO
Cert 15
89 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong language

Let's get this out in the open - I was a Blairite. I thought he and his cabinet led the UK to the most prosperous period of my lifetime.
Meanwhile, I baulk at the word socialism because I can remember the 1970s when unfettered union power brought the country to a standstill.
I am a natural centrist and history proves that the majority of British voters inhabit the same political space.
We Brits don't fall for the extreme right which is why the BNP, National Front or even UKIP have never won a seat in the House Of Commons.
But we will not support utopian 'power-to-the-people' ideologies of the left because we have read Animal Farm and have seen how power has historically corrupted socialists.
I have a modicum of admiration for those who fly the red flag but am bewildered by their  perpetual surprise by defeats in General Elections.
Daniel Draper follows such activists in Labour's safest seat in Walton and neighbouring West Derby in Liverpool.
These are two of Britain's poorest constituencies and are in a Socialist heartland where there is much talk of workers' rights and kicking out the Tories.
But they adopt a haranguing style which shows how little has been learned over the years.
I found the non-stop Tory-bashing and espousing of the gospel according to Jeremy Corbyn wearisome.
As Manifesto shows, his supporters were in full throttle in 2019 going into the snap national election, seemingly in denial that their pursuit of dogma would allow the feckless Boris Johnson to increase his majority substantially.
Thereafter, there is no examination of how their policies or their leader let them down - instead, they go down the inevitably road of blaming the media.
Draper's fly-on-the-wall documentary is presented in home movie style, creating an important historical record of the activists' view of an election which led to the resignation of their hero.
It then follows their dismay over the election of the more electable centrist Keir Starmer as Covid began to sweep the country.
I have never understood why the left is so pre-disposed to protest rather than power. Their dedication is deservedly highlighted but the naivety of their approach is laid bare by Manifesto.

Reasons to watch: Historically important
Reasons to avoid: It doesn't tackle the reasons for defeat

Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 5.5/10


Did you know? The origins of socialism as a political movement lie in the Industrial Revolution. Its intellectual roots, however, reach back almost as far as recorded thought—even as far as Moses, according to one history of the subject.

The final word. Daniel Draper: "It’s a document of a time of hope, the peaks and troughs of party politics and the eternal optimism required to continue the good fight.” Confidentials




0 Response to "217. Manifesto; movie review"

Posting Komentar

Iklan Atas Artikel

Iklan Tengah Artikel 1

Iklan Tengah Artikel 2

Iklan Bawah Artikel