This evening across the country the sky will be illuminated by hundreds and thousands of fireworks, lawns will be scorched by bonfires made up of garden debris (most likely a little damp and green) and the odd effigie of Guy Fawkes will sit a little precariously on top.
It is the anniversary if the Gunpowder plot of 1605. It is also by coincidence Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, the first time it has fallen on November the 5th since 1972.
An interesting article on Creative Review blog today looks at the names some of these fireworks are called. Mostly nowadays derived from military terms, war and conflict. It references how names for fireworks have changed over the years with reference to current affairs, notably the language of space exploration that adorned these recreational explosives in the '50s and '60s. More relevant names for some of today's fireworks might be, 'Tuition Fee Rocket' or 'LibDem-olition'.
The recent U-turn by the LibDems on tuition fees is horrendous. Many people voted LibDem as a direct result of their public declaration and almost unanimous signing of a pledge not to raise them. Now within this coalition they have bent over and voted in favour of increasing the fees. This is of course a coalition and like any relationship you can't get everything your own way, but within the vote anyone had the opportunity to abstain....they didn't. You may think it naive to believe that a politician could be honest and not back track, but the LibDems had a unique chance to buck this trend, and stand up for key policies. They were never going to win a majority government, so if they did get into power it would be in a coalition. Ultimately they should never have signed and publicly declared to prevent any increase in tuition fees if they weren't prepared to follow it through. They are now completely and utterly tarred with the same brush as the other two parties. Well done.
I think that this day is a very important one within British history, and maybe more relevant this year than for a long time. While the original plot was intended to commit regicide of King James I of England and VI of Scotland, it's location of The House of Lords is perhaps more poignant. In the wake of the expenses scandal and with the country in financial dire straits, maybe this should be a day where politicians remember the potential of people power and to tread a little more carefully.
Tonight I hope all politicians feel a little hot under the collar and can see the metaphor in the burning fuse.
http://www.creativereview.co.uk/cr-blog/2010/november/fireworks-design
