Political economy is all about the study of the relationships of power that determine the distribution of resources in the economy. What does today's Queen's Speech say in this context? Most of all it says that this is a government without power.
Everyone knows that the next two years will be dominated by Brexit legislation. What we also know is that Theresa May did not want Brexit. Nor did her deputy, Damien Green. What we have is a government that will be led by people who do not believe in the task they have been given. Little can indicate a loss of authority more than that. To that can be added the fact that the content of much of that legislation is, as yet, unknown simply because the terms under which we leave the EU have not been determined. And, given the events of this week, where the Brexit Secretary, David Davis, is widely thought to have conceded considerable ground to the EU negotiators during the course of the opening session, in which the UK tabled no proposals and appeared to have acceded to all those demanded by the EU, it would seem that the UK's legislative programme is largely in the hands of Brussels. It is hard to reconcile that with ‘taking back control'.
Notable is the fact that if the DUP demanded measures from the government they were not mentioned in the Bill. This looks like it is a true minority administration.
That is reflected in the fact that many of the remaining proposed bills are notable for their lack of aspiration. No one disputes that some of the consumer rights issues have relevance, but none suggest a government tackling the big issues of the day. What they instead suggest is that whatever the government wanted to do has been abandoned: measures to tackle social care are noticeable by their absence, for example. So, too, has prison reform been abandoned. A lack of any mention suggests, unfortunately, that university sector reform remains on the agenda. In contrast, financial reform comes down to peripheral issues: the continuing vulnerability of the financial system a decade after the Global Financial Crisis is less important than letting fees, apparently, even if the latter are objectionable.
The tone is, then, of a government resigned to sitting in Westminster for as along as possible, achieving a goal to which it has little commitment and even less ability to control, whilst all the time hoping that the proverbial ‘events' that on occasion swing the fortunes of a government might just restore its popularity with the electorate, who might in the meantime be the most disempowered group in all this.
My judgement is that hope of salvation is misplaced. George Osborne's political antenna remains as acute as ever. The Evening Standard has already noted the absence of any numerical commitments on migration but for that part of the population who voted both No and who form a significant part of Conservative Party support this may be the biggest issue that drives their political concern. They may not be happy with being sidelined. That may not suggest they will vote Conservative and with UKIP in disarray there may appear to be nowhere for them to go. In that case what this speech might suggest most strongly of all is that the UK's political turmoil is far from over. No one, it seems, can take control at present. And that is the most worrying suggestion that this speech implicitly makes.
Note: this piece will also be published by City, University of London
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Mr Lilico seems quite pleased with it. https://capx.co/a-speech-to-keep-brexit-on-track-and-corbyn-out/
“Good. Get Brexit sorted. Play for time. Keep Corbyn out. Cross your fingers and hope.”
He’s not that confident!
This would be the process whereby: “David Davis, is widely thought to have conceded considerable ground to the EU negotiators during the course of the opening session, in which the UK tabled no proposals and appeared to have acceded to all those demanded by the EU, it would seem that the UK’s legislative programme is largely in the hands of Brussels. It is hard to reconcile that with ‘taking back control”
What an idiot Lillico, and all the other Brexit fanatics are. Everything they’ve ever said about the ‘benefits’ of leaving the EU is the opposite of reality. We’ll have less control over our future, not more. We’ll be poorer, not richer. We’ll be seen as an inward looking, ignorant, xenophobic and intolerant nation, not an outward looking internationalist nation.
SickofTaxDodgers
“David Davis, is widely thought to have conceded considerable ground to the EU”
is putting it politely. It was complete capitulation, as far as I understand no concession whatsoever from the EU and complete surrender by the UK. Of course this was completely predictable. I agree totally with Richard that a Norway style deal would be the best outcome (even better calling the whole mad enterprise off) but we have entered totally irrational territory in the UK. To anyone who hasn’t read the 2017 Orwell Prize for Journalism winner’s recent article “Britain: The End of a Fantasy” http://www.nybooks.com/daily/2017/06/10/britain-the-end-of-a-fantasy/
Also good “the Laughing Stock of Europe” http://www.voxeurop.eu/en/2017/uk-and-brexit-5121166
The tragedy is that this was all so predictable
Sean,
” …. The End of a Fantasy”
Thanks for the link to Fintan O’Toole’s wonderful piece. As a summary of this ongoing tragi-farce, it really seems to say it all.
Anrigaut
Thanks. There is a very small piece on Progressive Pulse today on Fintan with links to some of his other articles http://www.progressivepulse.org/uncategorized/fintan-otoole-wins-the-prestigious-2017-journalism-orwell-prize-for-his-articles-on-brexit/
I think it was a great plan of action and also dropped the areas that penalised their tradional voters, leaving them free to return to vote tory next time having protest voted labour this time. JM forecasted 1 million protesters and got 250. Not reassuring
Regarding your comment about financial reform focusing on peripheral issues, Richard, note that in the US last week the Republicans quietly passed a bill to repeal much of the Dodd-Frank Act (ie. legislation put in place after the 2008 banking crisis). I suspect that may feature in Tory thinking regarding the financial sector in the UK as Brexit approaches. “Liberalisation” in other words as we make the inevitable post Brexit move to a giant tax haven.
I could not believe what I saw today in Parliament.
I am convinced that I am now living in a zombie State.
Our politics does not work anymore (such that it ever did).
Lilleco is a dud. You only had to hear him on that radio piece the other day to realise he’s just another yesterday’s man spouting the same old, same old ‘ whatever you do, nothing must be done to stop this massive welfare state of spivs and shysters who have dumped their ill-gotten gains here for peanuts ‘ because not far back down the track he and his mates benefit from being cheerleaders to the whole rotten edifice that has begun to tumble. What is his cri de coeur ‘ stop Corbyn ‘ . Wow that’s it. Call him a few names and hope that a few additional undecideds out there might come over to your side. Did he sleep through this election ? This is car crash TV being played out here with the Conservative Party as the star and all their wounds are self – inflicted . The mortal blow is just around the corner.
Yeah, stop Corbyn is literally all the right have to offer now.
Reminds me of something often posted on here, which I condense as follows:
– First they laugh at you
– Then they shit themselves
– Then they say that they agreed with you all along
This may be true with certain elements of the media, who are giving a notably different treatment of Corbyn (to my eyes) since about halfway through the election campaign. He’s not laughed at or mocked any more by most of the media but treated as a credible contender (or a credible threat).
The right wing though are just becoming ever more hateful and spiteful. I take a look occasionally at Guido Fawkes’ blog to see what the right wing of the Tories are up to. I regret it every time as the comments section is a depressing cesspit.
What happened to the day of protest? No news coverage
It may be reported, but not until it happens.
On July 1st.
One point to note: surveillance and censorship. May has recognised that the last Labour government and their current front bench are all for it – as, of course, is she.
We have, at long last, discovered consensus, common interests, and the cross-party approach. I wish it wasn’t for this, though.