Britain Heads Towards Political Extremes

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by Neil Bamforth

Conservative Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, is clearly set on taking us out of the European Union regardless of a deal. In fact, it is looking increasingly unlikely that a deal of any kind is on the horizon. If he takes us out without a deal, he will be fully supported by Nigel Farage and The Brexit Party.

If parliament manage to prevent the Prime Minister from taking us out of the EU on October 31st, it is almost certain that he will call for a General Election.

The opposing forces have virtually aligned.

The Brexit Party will do a deal with the Conservatives and they will not field candidates against one another. This will ensure that they don’t cancel each other out.

The other parties – all in favor of remaining in the EU – will then have to consider their options. If they stand against each other and split the ‘remain’ vote, it would potentially open the door for a Conservative government, with a majority, supported by The Brexit Party, thereby increasing their majority.

Such an outcome would leave Britain with the most right wing government in living memory – even more right wing than the Margaret Thatcher years.

An alternative outcome would, almost certainly, be dependent on the main opposition party, Labour, coming to various arrangements with, primarily, the Liberal Democrats and, possibly, The Green Party.

The main problem for the opposition is their leader, Jeremy Corbyn.

The Liberal Democrats, whilst agreeing with the Labour stance on the EU, do not like Corbyn one little bit. Neither, come to that, are they particularly enamored with his close allies, John McDonnell and Diane Abbott.

It is, probably, pretty unlikely that Labour would win enough seats at a General Election to form a government without the support of the Liberal Democrats, however, all things are possible until they aren’t.

A Labour government, with Corbyn at the helm, would be the most left wing government in living memory.

So, given that it has been virtually impossible to predict, with even a modicum of accuracy, what will happen next, the above scenarios are no more than the most likely. The former – Conservative / Brexit government – being, I would say, the most likely of all.

The Conservatives, having made a complete and utter shambles of Brexit, have seen something of a surge with Boris at the helm. His actions since becoming Prime Minister have appeared bold and decisive. This seems to have given the Conservatives a lead at the polls.

Polls, however, are hardly reliable sources if you want accuracy in your predictions.

Should the Prime Minister be foiled by parliament in his attempt to take us out of the EU, a General Election has to be a certainty – or does it?

You see, the opposition Labour party would have to agree to a General Election.

Considering they have been demanding one for well over a year, surely they would welcome it?

Perhaps not. They might well be less than confident that the awful ‘austerity measures’ introduced by the Conservatives – something that, under normal circumstances, would damage them in an election – could well fade rapidly from the memory of the Labour voters who voted to leave the EU.

Politically, in Britain, everything is, to coin a phrase, ‘on a knife edge’.

By October 31st we will have left the EU – probably without a deal – or, parliament will succeed in preventing the Prime Minister from achieving this and he will demand a General Election.

If Labour decline, they will be admitting, after demanding it themselves for so long, that their chances of winning are remote.

If Labour agree and there is a General Election, there will be a winner. Possibly with the support of other parties, but, there will be a winner.

The Conservatives, with The Brexit Party’s help, or Labour, with primarily, The Liberal Democrats help.

At that point, we will have either the most right wing or most left wing government in living memory. Actually, never mind ‘living memory’ – ever.

Quite what will happen with such a right or left wing government running the show is anybody’s guess.

Personally, I would prefer a moderate ‘right of center’ government. I could certainly live with a moderate ‘left of center’ government if pushed.

If my back was to the wall and the choice was either ‘hard right’ or ‘hard left’, I would, with some reluctance, have to say ‘hard right’ rather than ‘hard left’.

Why? Simply because there is far more likelihood of a more right wing government being ‘protectionist’ regarding poorly controlled immigration. A more left wing government would almost certainly not be.

Mind you, if you travel, politically,further and further to the right or left, you find them meeting each other at the bottom of the circle.

Both far right and far left governments are equally totalitarian.

A totalitarian government of either ilk is undesirable anywhere, let alone in a western, liberal democracy.

We have even more worrying times ahead I suspect.

About Post Author

Neil Bamforth

I am English first, British second and never ever European. I have supported Oldham Athletic FC for 50 years which has made me immune from depression. My taste buds have died due to too many red hot curries so I drink Kronenburg beer and milk - sometimes in the same glass. I have a wife, daughter, 9 cats and I like toast.
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Neil Bamforth
4 years ago

What? Ignoring a ‘once in a lifetime’ referendum the great and good insisted would be binding and acted upon, yet 3 years later nothing?

Funny kind of democracy if you ask me.

To be honest, I’m writing about it cause it’s happening. In truth I’m past caring… Got Leo on my mind….

Rumours that he’s refusing to be born until I say he doesn’t have to support Oldham Athletic are, possibly, unfounded 😁

Neil Bamforth
4 years ago

Michael : that translates into ‘just say no to democracy’ I’m afraid

Reply to  Neil Bamforth
4 years ago

That IS democracy old bean!

Admin
4 years ago

Just say NO to Brexit! My English family were for it until they were against it. They hate BoJo.

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