by RAY FLEMING
MICHAEL Howard seems to be on the verge of converting the Conservatives into a Happy-Clappy party. His political evangelism certainly points that way. In his two-page credo advertisement in yesterday's Times happiness was the prevailing theme. The opening statement was this: I believe it is natural for men and women to want health, wealth and happiness for their families and themselves. Then came: I believe people are most likely to be happy when they are masters of their own lives. When they are not nannied or over-governed. Next: I believe red tape, bureaucracy, regulations, inspectorates, commissions, quangos, czars', units' and targets' came to help and protect us, but now we need protection from them. Armies of interferers don't contribute to human happiness. And: I believe the British people are only happy when they are free. Finally: I believe that by good fortune, hard work, natural talent and rich diversity, these islands are home to a great people with a noble past and an exciting future. I am happy to be their servant.
The use of happy and happiness to describe so many different human conditions is either the result of sloppy writing or deliberate intent. Since the advertisement was devised by the Conservatives' new joint-chairman, Margaret Thatcher's advertising guru Maurice Saatchi, I think we can assume that it was deliberate. Mr Howard wants us to be happy and is happy that he can help us to achieve that condition.
COMMENT
BE HAPPY
04/01/2004 00:00
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