What Left and Right really mean?

I refer to a letter in the Sunday Mail, August 11 titled, “Reform UK is not far right”.

I must confess that I do not have a full understanding of the circumstances the writer describes, so maybe it’s time (long overdue?) to organise some proper teaching?

My generation (I’m over 80) was not given political lessons at school, and what little I picked up was gained mainly from experience and observation, hence could easily be wrong.

Is today’s generation being formally educated? If not, should they be?

Schoolmates and I tended to refer to Conservatives (Tories) as members of the party for the rich, and Labour as the party for the workers.

It is my understanding that, in the UK’s parliamentary House-of-Commons, the Speaker sits facing all the MPs. On his left are members of the Labour Party, and on his right are members of the Conservative Party and, if there is a change of government, the parties do not physically exchange positions.

Hence the Labour Party is said to be on the Left and the Conservative Party is said to be on the Right.

There are also a few members of minor parties positioned to left or right beyond the main groupings. There also seem to be three sub-categories known as far, centre and wing.

Individual MPs are often known publicly for their views and categorised accordingly. According to Wikipedia Nigel Farage is known for his “form of British right-wing populism”. I would not assume that Wikipedia is always correct, but this contrasts sharply with the content of the lady’s letter last week.


JAC, Paphos