We are in a General Election, but you would not guess it from the actions of the Opposition.
The terrible tragedy of the terrorist attack in London had Johnson tub thumping about jailing terrorists for whole terms. Past errors, despite his Party being in government for nearly 10 years, were swept aside by the fact he is ‘ a new Prime Minister’. Where is the liberal Johnson now as he seeks political advantage on law and order issues with the dire Priti Patel as a support act? Sadly, good politics though…
Johnson’s team has also played clever by refusing an interview with Andrew Neil on BBC, not taking part in a climate change debate on Channel 4 and not publishing a report on Russian influence in UK elections. Why would you when none of these actions are remotely helpful to you as the front-runner? They rightly guess the electorate don’t care or won’t do by 12th December, despite the hand wringing of liberal commentators.
Meanwhile, Corbyn’s nuanced response of treating terrorists on a case by case basis is sensible stuff except he has alleged form on sympathising with certain types of terrorists… It doesn’t appeal to socially illiberal ‘right wing’ Labour voters and, oh dear, we are in the middle of a General Election campaign if he hadn’t forgotten. He has handed more votes to the Tories. Sadly, bad politics…
Then, Labour are just waking up to the confusion of a myriad of spending promises which they are now trying to simplify. Whilst they have been successful on pushing the NHS, the sheer scale of initiatives and the cost of them is spooking floating voters. Ironically, their one area of success has been winning back Remain voters from the LibDems despite a somewhat neutral message. Why is this? Because for moderates, there is a growing panic about a Tory landslide, and they see Labour as the best block to this. How depressing.
And, as the election proceeds, where is Farage? A busted flush as his core message and even some of his candidates get absorbed by the Tories. Watch very carefully what he receives as his reward after this election for walking away from Tory held seats. A peerage is too obvious but something sexy on the global stage via Trump’s friends is a real possibility.
And, lastly, Jo Swinson? Another busted flush but she and her strategy have been treated far too harshly. She has performed solidly in her first election, even in front of Andrew Neil. (take note, Johnson). I rarely criticise the media, but they have done her and the LibDems generally a disservice. Treating parties by their share of MPs rather their share of polls in key televised debates needs reviewing as it simply perpetuates and exaggerates the deeply unfair consequences of a first past the post electoral system. But the real failure of the LibDems is unfortunately their fault.
Their mistake has not really been the harsh message of revoking Brexit but building a long term case for why you should vote for the LibDems outside this issue. This is the real problem and, with no joy, one identified by this blog earlier this year. Incredibly, they are the most fiscally conservative of the three major parties and should take credit among a sea of ridiculous, almost corrupt spending promises from Labour and the Conservatives. But they have not defined themselves clearly enough, for long enough, on broader issues. In this vacuum, it allows their history in alliance with the Tories to be used effectively against them.
Johnson looks on a roll and only two things are left to derail him now Trump’s NATO visit has ended. A last televised debate tonight and a sudden horrible realisation of what handing him a landslide victory means for a surge in the populist Right and bare faced English nationalism. I fear, as in many other countries, it will not be enough.
Inside Right Politics 