Liz Truss trashes and crashes
"A reality is laid bare: the political class is at the mercy of money markets."
Liz Truss broke many records during her 45 days in office. I won't labour the point because the awesome internet memes do a much better job than I do. But, from the outset, I had reservations; some months ago, she struck me as someone with purblind pretensions.
And so it proved. One day, she announced, "I will lead the Conservatives into the next general election." The next day, she was gone. I predicted she wouldn't last long, but I never imagined such a short tenure.
As fun as it might be to chuckle, serious issues beyond Britain's borders are at stake here.
Truss, having trashed the U.K. economy, brought the truth of democracy into sharp focus. It doesn't exist. And I'm not talking about her election by a small circle of Tory party members, although that is worth noting. My point is that the forces of global capitalism removed Truss.
A reality is laid bare: the political class is at the mercy of money markets. Naturally, politicians would rather that the voters not notice this. However, it is increasingly evident that since 1997, the U.K. has had governments with the same policies despite changing the parties.
Also, do the Brits recognise the damage to the U.K.'s reputation as a bastion of democracy? In the shifting game of geopolitics, Truss and the Tories handed their ideological foes a significant win. Sure, you can debate the merits of various forms of democracy all day and never reach a mutual agreement. Yet, after recent events, the fact remains that 'Brand Britain' looks forlorn.
A reputation for stability, moderation and smooth power transfer lies in tatters. Once revered institutions no longer function as self-destructive elements rampage through the very fabric of society. Seized by a bizarre mix of 'woke' social activists and economic extremism that smashes everything, and then looks to see what comes next.
What unfolded in the U.K. these past weeks demonstrates the inherent weaknesses in a system that purports to be fully democratic but isn't. Let's be clear. The people of Britain had no say in the removal of Boris or the appointment of Truss and didn't pick Sunak. And so, please, less rhetoric about the 'Mother of Parliaments' and the cradle of democracy. That all sounds rather hollow.
Also, last week's antics in Parliament, as the division bell rang, pulled back the curtain on the bruising nature of politics. The pretence of order, civilised discussion and all the other niceties evaporated as manhandled Tory MPs faced threats and coercion.
On the bigger picture, I can only conclude that the punctured facade of U.K. democracy lays prey to market forces that removed a prime minister. They've now got their man in Sunak, who the financiers see as safe.
But, then again, the Conservatives did allow a tortoise to register as a member. If a tortoise can join, the next question must be, who else? Unfortunately, Conservative Party HQ has declined to answer questions about how many foreign nationals are members. I wonder why?
Meanwhile, across the other side of Parliament, Labour is gearing up for power. Should we worry about what Al Jazeera revealed in a four-part documentary, 'The Labour Files'? Watch and decide.
Threats and intimidation, including taped telephone calls, tell a story, and it's not pleasant. "You should be in a gas chamber or oven" is a small taste of the horrific words against one Jewish Labour activist by her side.
To avert criticism when Labour's antisemitism story broke in 2016, they employed so-called human rights campaigner Shami Chakrabarti. She produced a report that is now viewed as a cover-up. Chakrabarti later entered the unelected House of Lords, a position gifted to her by the Labour Party.
Do I have to ask why is the British media turning a blind eye to the documented criminality in the Labour Party? You'd think the revelations would garner daily headlines. Yet, like the Asian grooming gangs, such stories get ignored as inconvenient.
In all this mess, the other significant issue is the inability of a democratic system to keep people in power long enough to embed plans that take decades to implement. With the constant shifting of public opinion, often around minor issues, driving through anything is near impossible.
Even getting a single high-speed rail track halfway across Britain is beyond a political process beholden to every self-interest along its proposed route.
Meanwhile, public services erode to the point of absence. This summer, no ambulance was available to rush my very ill father to the hospital on a quiet Sunday morning. Here was a man who'd served his country, paid his taxes, and played by the rules, and when it came to the critical moment, the government broke the deal. A telling example is that the social contract is damaged.
What struck me was no one thought this outrageous. Folks shrugged their shoulders. Oh, well, was the response.
It’s the same across the board: a lack of police coverage, an inability to get doctor's appointments, and so on. Recently, U.K.-based Hong Kong Police pensioners faced hardships because appointed crown agents failed to do their job. But, again, everyone shrugged their shoulders.
Of course, there is nothing new in asking, "What is Britain's long-term vision?" Unfortunately, it is not evident that there is one. The promises of Brexit have faded. There is no trade deal with the U.S. and nothing from China.
Instead, successive governments look to manage decline while holding off attempts to split the 'united kingdom'.
I'm afraid a few harsh truths need asserting. First, the current political class has failed the British public. That rot started with Tony Blair and has been gathering pace since then. Further, Britain's glory days are over, with Brexit accelerating a process of decline—the data tells a story.
I take no pleasure in stating that with a tarnished reputation, Britain looks lost for the moment. But, as I've pointed out, a bleak winter awaits the U.K.
Sunak faces the challenges of Putin, fuel prices, failing services, and myriad other issues. He lacks legitimacy because he can only assume their support with a mandate from the people.
How long he can survive is the new game to watch. But let's not forget that a couple of weeks ago, Truss was the new hope. How rapidly the wheel turns these days.
October 2022
And so it proved. One day, she announced, "I will lead the Conservatives into the next general election." The next day, she was gone. I predicted she wouldn't last long, but I never imagined such a short tenure.
As fun as it might be to chuckle, serious issues beyond Britain's borders are at stake here.
Truss, having trashed the U.K. economy, brought the truth of democracy into sharp focus. It doesn't exist. And I'm not talking about her election by a small circle of Tory party members, although that is worth noting. My point is that the forces of global capitalism removed Truss.
A reality is laid bare: the political class is at the mercy of money markets. Naturally, politicians would rather that the voters not notice this. However, it is increasingly evident that since 1997, the U.K. has had governments with the same policies despite changing the parties.
Also, do the Brits recognise the damage to the U.K.'s reputation as a bastion of democracy? In the shifting game of geopolitics, Truss and the Tories handed their ideological foes a significant win. Sure, you can debate the merits of various forms of democracy all day and never reach a mutual agreement. Yet, after recent events, the fact remains that 'Brand Britain' looks forlorn.
A reputation for stability, moderation and smooth power transfer lies in tatters. Once revered institutions no longer function as self-destructive elements rampage through the very fabric of society. Seized by a bizarre mix of 'woke' social activists and economic extremism that smashes everything, and then looks to see what comes next.
What unfolded in the U.K. these past weeks demonstrates the inherent weaknesses in a system that purports to be fully democratic but isn't. Let's be clear. The people of Britain had no say in the removal of Boris or the appointment of Truss and didn't pick Sunak. And so, please, less rhetoric about the 'Mother of Parliaments' and the cradle of democracy. That all sounds rather hollow.
Also, last week's antics in Parliament, as the division bell rang, pulled back the curtain on the bruising nature of politics. The pretence of order, civilised discussion and all the other niceties evaporated as manhandled Tory MPs faced threats and coercion.
On the bigger picture, I can only conclude that the punctured facade of U.K. democracy lays prey to market forces that removed a prime minister. They've now got their man in Sunak, who the financiers see as safe.
But, then again, the Conservatives did allow a tortoise to register as a member. If a tortoise can join, the next question must be, who else? Unfortunately, Conservative Party HQ has declined to answer questions about how many foreign nationals are members. I wonder why?
Meanwhile, across the other side of Parliament, Labour is gearing up for power. Should we worry about what Al Jazeera revealed in a four-part documentary, 'The Labour Files'? Watch and decide.
Threats and intimidation, including taped telephone calls, tell a story, and it's not pleasant. "You should be in a gas chamber or oven" is a small taste of the horrific words against one Jewish Labour activist by her side.
To avert criticism when Labour's antisemitism story broke in 2016, they employed so-called human rights campaigner Shami Chakrabarti. She produced a report that is now viewed as a cover-up. Chakrabarti later entered the unelected House of Lords, a position gifted to her by the Labour Party.
Do I have to ask why is the British media turning a blind eye to the documented criminality in the Labour Party? You'd think the revelations would garner daily headlines. Yet, like the Asian grooming gangs, such stories get ignored as inconvenient.
In all this mess, the other significant issue is the inability of a democratic system to keep people in power long enough to embed plans that take decades to implement. With the constant shifting of public opinion, often around minor issues, driving through anything is near impossible.
Even getting a single high-speed rail track halfway across Britain is beyond a political process beholden to every self-interest along its proposed route.
Meanwhile, public services erode to the point of absence. This summer, no ambulance was available to rush my very ill father to the hospital on a quiet Sunday morning. Here was a man who'd served his country, paid his taxes, and played by the rules, and when it came to the critical moment, the government broke the deal. A telling example is that the social contract is damaged.
What struck me was no one thought this outrageous. Folks shrugged their shoulders. Oh, well, was the response.
It’s the same across the board: a lack of police coverage, an inability to get doctor's appointments, and so on. Recently, U.K.-based Hong Kong Police pensioners faced hardships because appointed crown agents failed to do their job. But, again, everyone shrugged their shoulders.
Of course, there is nothing new in asking, "What is Britain's long-term vision?" Unfortunately, it is not evident that there is one. The promises of Brexit have faded. There is no trade deal with the U.S. and nothing from China.
Instead, successive governments look to manage decline while holding off attempts to split the 'united kingdom'.
I'm afraid a few harsh truths need asserting. First, the current political class has failed the British public. That rot started with Tony Blair and has been gathering pace since then. Further, Britain's glory days are over, with Brexit accelerating a process of decline—the data tells a story.
I take no pleasure in stating that with a tarnished reputation, Britain looks lost for the moment. But, as I've pointed out, a bleak winter awaits the U.K.
Sunak faces the challenges of Putin, fuel prices, failing services, and myriad other issues. He lacks legitimacy because he can only assume their support with a mandate from the people.
How long he can survive is the new game to watch. But let's not forget that a couple of weeks ago, Truss was the new hope. How rapidly the wheel turns these days.
October 2022
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