War is being waged across the world on the poorest members of society

RECENTLY, I drew attention to the murky activities of Clinical Commissioning Groups and their role in slowly dismantling our precious NHS. Now I turn to something called Neo-liberalism.

1939-45, everyone knew what the enemy looked like and knew what weapons he used. Since 1980, an invisible enemy has been silently and seditiously attacking the living standards of the majority - and it is a world war, because the very poorest countries have suffered most. The eight richest individuals on the planet now own as much wealth as the 4.3 billion neediest.

Public assets have been sold off, controls on capital movement abolished, industries destroyed or exported to the cheapest regions, trades unions and employee protection weakened, tax evasion facilitated and social services curtailed - all to make the richest even richer. Profiteering, abuse of customer loyalty and such devious tactics as “shrinkflation” of shop goods are rife. Greed, self-serving and corruption are endemic in banks and corporations. Old certainties such as a decent home and job, respect for teachers, trust in the police - even obedience to speeding limits and respect for neighbours - are being lost as the social and community fabric perishes.

Notices deploring abuse and threats to staff were never seen years ago. Indebtedness and job insecurity keep people awake.

Advertising pressures to consume superfluous, unaffordable and unwanted products are relentless. People feel swept away by forces over which they have no control. And the source of this social hurricane? Neo-liberalism, brainchild of Milton Friedman et alia, nourished here by the politics of Margaret Thatcher to become a bully of all that is generous and fair. Her ghost and offspring will continue to haunt us until we elect a radical government, willing to tackle the gargantuan task of rebuilding a sane Britain on the foundations of justice and decency - against - God help us - the backdrop of the uncertainties of Brexit! John Payne