I think we were expecting a Keep Fit talk or a Cookery Demonstration.
What we got was Brian O'neill a teacher from the boys school with a wry sense of humour and a soft lilt taking us on a WhistleStop Tour through the political landscape and how this has changed since Tony Blair received a slow handclap reception from the National WI to where we are now with polarised political parties. Questions were asked about Donald Trump running as a potential US President. Almost a comedy, although of course it isn’t. It’s a tragedy. So much wasted potential, good ideas and aspirations have been trashed as the politicians race for power. Perhaps this talk got us thinking of whether we should be engaging more with politics so that the country can receive a dose of common sense from these talented yet modest middle ground women populating the WI. Always a campaigning group, the WI have made notable changes through sponsoring causes, democratically chosen and adopted. The campaigns of tackling domestic abuse, protecting the honey bee population, encouraging cross party commitment to diversify and liaison schemes and campaigning for more midwives have all seen increase in funding and or changes in policies to support these causes. Unbelievably, with a membership of over 212,000 the WI has a greater membership than all political parties, including the Conservatives. (Only beaten by the Labour party who offered a cut price deal to join them). Our income from subscriptions alone appears to be more than the combined subscriptions to the Labour, Liberal Democrats and Conservatives. Our ideas for a brighter future are unsurpassed. There is a saying that a good woman is like a tea bag. She does not know how strong she is until she hits hot water. Well how hot does the water have to get before the WI shows its strength? With more money, members and ideas than many other groups, perhaps we are too large to be merely a pressure group? WI as a political party anyone? Now to sign up for the bread making course…
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AuthorMalden Manorettes Archives
May 2016
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