My surprise is that we have esentially been betrayed by the social democrats.

But the left lost their confidence ages ago. Look at the US where the democrats in the 50s guise were the promoters of the Common Good and the enrichment of the middle and working classes, making the "American Dream" seem possible for everyone. By the time of Reagan they had degenerated into fighting a rearguard action defending the New Deal.

Their higly visible lack of intellectual rigour in policy making and their timidity in promoting just about any liberal principle has been echoed by left/liberal parties all around the world. It just became obvious in the last 10 years or so.

I suspect it's largely because the left in power were as careless with citizen's rights as the right, but at least the right offered you hope of economic empowerment. Something the left were incapable of as their mindset was invariably telling you to be grateful for what you got.

keep to the Fen Causeway