It has been suggested, I think by the hon. Member for East Aberdeenshire (Mr. Boothby) that the most constructive suggestion he could make was to urge an early General Election and a return of a Tory Government in Britain. Why on earth should he want to prophesy what might result from a Tory Government when history has the record for him? Why read the crystal when he can read the book?
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Bevan criticizes a suggestion for an early election, noting that past records should inform predictions rather than speculation.
- In plain terms
- Why predict the results of a new government when we can just look at past records?
- What can you take from it?
- Use historical evidence instead of speculation for predictions.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When is history a reliable guide for politics?
- How do we evaluate new political proposals?
Another view
Past performance does not always guarantee future results.
More from Aneurin Bevan
The language of priorities is the religion of socialism.
Permalink to quote #8 There is only one hope for mankind - and that is democratic Socialism.
Permalink to quote #10 That is why no amount of cajolery, and no attempts at ethical or social seduction, can eradicate from my heart a deep burning hatred for the Tory Party that in…
Permalink to quote #7
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