Thread by @troovus

What do #TIG stand for? Here are #theindependentgroup's values:
0/11

Pretty bland - what does this mean? But having "Strong Defence" as their #1 value positions them squarely in the Conservative camp
1/11

"Well-regulated private enterprise" - straight out of Tony Blair's phrasebook. Again pretty bland, but I don't think nationalisation of the railways and utilities will be on their wishlist...
2/11

"A strong economy" - well, that's novel. I don't think either Labour or the Tories ever thought of wanting a strong economy.... "therefore NHS, etc.".. So it does hint that they see public services as a reward capitalism gives to the working classes for our compliance
3/11

"Individual freedom" - "There is no such thing as society" anybody? This is the kind of phrase used to justify the "greed is good" and "I'm intensely relaxed about some people intensely relaxed about people getting filthy rich" mentality. 4/11

"Opportunity" - this is an insidious one. Basically, "we want some lucky people to escape poverty, but we will keep poverty in place".
5/11

Note "individual" responsibility. Everybody should contribute. Compulsory work? workfare?
6/11

"Free media" - it's OK Rupert, we won't regulate the press
7/11

"Parliamentary democracy" - are they suggesting Labour is against Parliamentary democracy? And remember they will sit as MPs without a democratic mandate. Nobody voted for them as individuals, they were elected as Labour MPs.
8/11

"We believe the multilateral, international rules-based order must be strengthened and reformed" - good for you. This is pretty much Labour policy.
9/11

"We have a responsibility to future generations to protect our environment" - damned right we do. But again, you're not saying anything that Labour isn't saying there.
10/11

"Power should be devolved to the most appropriate level" - like CLPs choosing candidates or local constituents expectng to be represented by the party they voted for? But seriously, re-democratising local government after the Tory and Blair years centralising poser is good.
11/11