Read about Labour's campaign changing idea today. Using the most well-known example of co-op action, the John Lewis plan - a brainchild of Ed Miliband - believes public bodies can be part-owned by their staff and, where appropriate, their users. In political and social terms this means schools are operated by parents as well as teachers, estates by housing associations and occupants, the NHS by eerm...
This pluralist notion stuck in my mind as I went to pick up a Peugeot bike from a mate when all of a sudden I was given the chance to take part in a bit of public participation. The police pulled me over on suspicion of theft - I was pushing one bike whilst riding another, the second causing the stir.
Now, had this not have been the forth time this month that I'd had a run-in with these pigs I wouldn't have protested their time-wasting efforts so much. But, still with the co-op Labour idea fresh in mind it occurred to me - whilst myself and my belongings were being invaded by the cops - that there was nothing co-operative about this. I wouldn't be co-operative if it made their jobs harder, they weren't being co-operative as a result. Childish logic but the effect of multiple police fuck-ups.
Guilty until proven innocent I rode off feeling pretty pissed off and cynical. "Does Labour only want our co-operation becuase it makes the jobs of the civil servants easier?" I wondered. Certainly sticking your heals in the ground makes it harder for 'em, although you do this in the face of being told "co-operation will be to your benefit.
Without any cash public bodies will continue to struggle under the weight of their own responsibilities. Voluntary help is needed and if that's the case then fine, by all means ask for help. But don't hide it like your the ones doing us a favour. The public are simply part of a corporation - like interns who volunteer in a business - in which co-operation only exists to benefit the dudes at the top.
Shame bikes don't conger that same easy rider image of rebelion...
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