 |
| Giorgia Meloni and Emmanuel Macron (Image: Bloomberg/Getty) |
The European election aside, what we saw in the UK and France was that voters weren't being asked to vote for a party or an individual, but against others. The strategy worked, and we are likely to see a similar story in the US when the country heads to the polls in November. This is, largely, down to the resistance against the threat of history repeating itself. The apparent extremes of the traditional political spectrum have consistently done well in the polls of late and it's getting close to being reflected in the overall results. While we aren't seeing outcomes like what Hitler, Mussolini and Stalin saw almost a century ago, the campaigning we're seeing today is robust enough for people to notice. If we're not careful, the 2030s could look a little too similar to the 1930s.
It is concerning to see the ideologies from the so-called 'far right' and, to a smaller extent, the 'far left', not going away. Their focus on immigration, isolationism and nationalism is strongly resonating with people who feel ignored, angered and disenfranchised with governments who are apparently bending over backwards for major corporations and other powerful countries. This narrative has never left us, but the shifting of blame for this has become more toxic as more people freely express themselves on public platforms. While the hostile finger pointing had previously been rejected, and that these 'far' parties were often seen as fringe organisations, recent events such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the rise of Donald Trump and the enabling of Brexit have resulted in a shift in our political landscape.
I can understand the frustrations from people who have voted for the likes of Reform UK, the National Front in France, the Party of Freedom in the Netherlands, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Germany and are endorsing Trump for a second term as President of the United States. To a small extent, I admire these leaders for their effective public speaking skills, to directly address what they think will get people to vote for them. If only these people learnt more about the background to Trump, Nigel Farage, Marine Le Pen and the like, to appreciate that they are anything but on the side of 'the people'. For years and years, they've helped with the running of the 'establishment' their voters are said to despise. Their level of self-interest is remarkable. Farage, with a healthy European Parliament pension and now also a Westminster Parliament pension, will be laughing to the bank come retirement.
I want to entertain their fundamental political priorities for a moment. Surely, the best way of making sure they get lost is to actually address their gripes. Their top-line issues very few will have an issue with. They want a significant reduction in the number of people 'illegally' entering their country. I don't think it's hard to disagree with that. They want their national identities 'protected', so people can appreciate a country's history, culture and heritage. Again, hard to disagree. And they want to right the wrongs of those who have been victim of actions from the more powerful. Well, it seems we have a lot in common after all.
Yet, what we don't have in common is coming up with fundamental solutions to these problems. They suggest the best way of tackling immigration is to simply either 'take them back to where they came from' or, as Ben Habib - formerly of Reform UK - charmingly put it, 'drown the boats'. They suggest in order to protect their national identities, it shouldn't be touched by anyone who isn't from said country. And when it comes to righting the wrongs, the best they got is to gaslight situations which don't need gaslighting.
What these political figures don't realise is that if they get even a whiff of power, they'd be disappointed in what they can achieve with their views alone. For example, many feared that Italy under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni would become a hostile nation. In fact, she's been schmoozing with 'liberal' European leaders, hasn't declared a war on major companies and immigration remains a big issue. We may even argue her rhetoric has softened to something more mainstream. She learnt very early on that to get by and to boost the economy, it costs to be divisive.
Of course, Meloni has implemented policies that aligns to her principles. Yet, it hasn't reduced the level of 'illegal' immigration. To do that, leaders like her have to truly understand why migrants take the decision to risk everything and seek a new life without the necessary papers. They are running away from their shattered homes to countries which are, ironically, funding these atrocities. They are running away from their countries who have governments hellbent on implementing policies that politicians from the West's 'far right' and 'far left' would endorse - capital punishment, a crackdown on peaceful protesting, enforced nationalism, I could go on. Again, ironic.
While I'd love to have all wars stopped at a click of a finger, there are more pragmatic ways of doing it. There is a growing need for governments to work together and build pathways towards the ending of the conflicts that are directly impacting their populations. For the UK, that's focusing on ensuring a peace deal and ceasefire is agreed between Ukraine and Russia, as well as between Israel and the rest of the Middle East. The main barriers are Russia's Vladimir Putin and Israel's Benyamin Netanyahu. Equally, throwing money at their opponents, plus investing in Russia and Israel through other means, won't stop the vicious cycle we've seen in these affected countries for too long. New approaches are needed, which I hope new UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, Macron, Germany's Olaf Scholz and whoever succeeds US President Joe Biden can proactively link up in ways not seen before. New minds could hopefully lead to fresh perspectives.
Ending conflicts can also alleviate any fears of loss to national identity. The sense of losing the Britishness we thought existed centuries previous hasn't been due to the rise of immigration or 'Islamism' as Farage and the like have been banging on about in recent years, but due to losing faith in religion, decreasing popularity of the monarchy (albeit minimal) and general societal attitudes. Multiculturalism has always existed, governments just need to do better at raising that awareness and to address the pockets of hostility that we saw as recent as during the general election campaign, as Jess Phillips can attest to. A total eradication of racial tension is a challenge too great, but it is possible to come up with decent policies which enable communities to join in harmony.
Elsewhere, greater trust in major corporations will come in good time. It begins with highlighting their positives - they produce life-saving medicines, they deliver quick services to make our lives easier. These would not be possible without large pockets. They also have their flaws which are rightly exposed - some don't pay enough taxes, their profits are through the roof which may appear unfair, their bosses can receive bonuses that look astronomical compared to what people in poverty have to endure daily, and yes, many of these organisations operate internationally. Again, these can be addressed with policies that should have been implemented for years and wouldn't break the bank. For starters, force companies to pay their fair share to the tax system, limit the rate of bonuses of bosses from certain sectors, and prioritise local businesses for key local economic decisions. And no, 'profit' isn't a dirty word and if an international company wants to invest in your local area, embrace it.
Address these issues head on, through humane needs, and then the 'far' parties won't have a reason to shout about their concerns in a way that would increase division. We can't afford a society that hates on one another. Closing eyes and ears to them will only increase the chances of Farage being given the keys to 10 Downing Street by 2029. If that isn't a motivator to make fundamental changes, I don't know what is.
Comments
Post a Comment