Since the latest Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs), there has been debate on the survival of not only Theresa May’s Chequer’s Plan, even referred to as ‘dead as a Dodo’ by Ian Blackford, Leader of the SNP, but also the longevity of the Conservative Party, the longest standing political party in the UK.
Labour is much the same, with questions over their leadership, some MP’s are battling to overthrow Jeremy Corbyn, as he represents the extreme leftists of the Labour Party, yet undermines himself and his party through accusations of Anti-Semitism, and when called to apologise for his mistakes by Theresa May, refused.
However, should both Labour and Conservative survive as we know them today, Boris Johnson is reported to be making a bid for leader of the Conservative Party, by hiring the same strategist that has won multiple elections in Canada, Steve Bannon, and former President Trump’s lead strategist. Boris can be seen to be taking advantage of the collapse of May’s Chequer’s Plan, but could we blame him? With no other ‘leader’ insight, Boris Johnson, who is a prominent backbencher after resigning as Foreign Secretary over Chequers, also seems to be the only MP who is willing to tell the public some semblance of truth. On the other hand, Boris does not have a good track record with the UK public, as the Leave campaign, of which he was one of the lead campaigners, lied over the £350 million, which could be rediverted into the NHS, should we leave the European Union. Is this the same man the UK wants to put their trust in, to run the UK in its most turbulent time of crisis in nearly the last century? No doubt the party is conflicted by this, to such a degree there is cross-party realignment with anonymous MP’s stating they are ‘afraid [their] party is dying’, with the opposition wondering much the same.
Could the SNP, third largest party in the UK, be next to win the General Election?
In foreign seas, the UK is not faring much better off, as the Tory and Labour leader’s squabble in their own borders, a British National is being illegally detained in Iran, unable to contact the British Embassy in Iran. Whilst negotiations are on the table, the UK’s global presence is not what it once was, due to the UK’s internal conflict over Brexit. As the economy grows weaker with every indecision, could we see another financial collapse, as suggested by Jeremy Corbyn, comparable to the 2008 financial crisis, with a drop of 8% in GDP? All whilst Theresa May insists she is preparing for every eventuality, meanwhile, the Shadow Cabinet warns a ‘no deal is not a better deal’. With a 60/40 chance of a no deal Brexit, the UK is not only gambling with its trade but its foundations. Ian Blackford, leader of the SNP, warns Theresa May she is ‘gambling with Scotland’s future’ and her Chequers plan is ‘devastating for working people’. ‘Work is the best route out of poverty’ is the bold statement by Theresa May made to Parliament, however, when working people still must apply for benefits and visit food banks, is it true?
This month the Labour party clarified their position on the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRAs) definition of antisemitism but not all the accompanying guidelines, suggesting the definition should be interpreted in a different way, many calling some Labour MP’s, including Jeremy Corbyn antisemitic. Jeremy Corbyn is now gaining heat in the antisemitism row since Wednesday, after blatantly ignoring Theresa Mays request for an apology but stating the UK should remain ‘safe and secure’ for all religions and races, calls for the unification of definitions of antisemitism, to create a single, clear definition. The problem is, how do labour now rid themselves of the anti-semitic stereotype, whilst also supporting freedom of speech?
Meanwhile, the antisemitism row is only part of what is disrupting the Labour Party but could be detracting attention from the crumbling foundations on which the party sits. The real problem being Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership style, that of a non-compete. Corbyn’s intolerance of some former Labour MP’s, leading to their resignation. Jeremy Corbyn is tearing the Labour Party apart. To rebuild? Only time will tell.
