The Tories know the price of everything and the value of nothing

Ever felt you were being governed by a bunch of second hand car salesmen? Well, you wouldn't be far off. The spivs who fill the cabinet have the same sort of mentality. Cameron and co. remind me of Flash Harry in St Trinians, always looking for the best knock down price as they sell off UK Plc to their 'free' market chums. The Tories haven't ever changed over the years, they still know the price of everything and the value of nothing.

This has been well illustrated by their cunning plan to sell off our forests to the private sector, a nice little earner that would have raised a mighty £100 million. Peanuts (or should that be pine cones?) in the grand scale of things. Many of the forests have been managed by the Forestry Commission on behalf of the nation for years. They have been opened up to the public and provide a valuable recreational facility and a refuge for wildlife. Lots of us treasure our forests. We use them to get away from the towns and cities for walking and mountain biking. We like the idea, which is anathema to the Tories, that they are owned by the state on our behalf.

It looks like the Tory-led government may be forced to make a U turn on its sell off plans due to an outcry and a petition amounting to 500,000 signatures so far. But don't be fooled. Nothing has changed. The purveyors of the 'Big Society' really have no idea when it comes to both society and the communities that make it up. They are like a bunch of sociopaths with their eyes always on the money.