I was having a discussion with a friend a day or two ago. Politics is not a common subject of conversation between us. These, though, are exceptional times. And we discussed the current state of British politics.
The key point I made was that whatever we have now is not durable. I offered a simple example that resonated with this person. I pointed out that there is now no party that represents business interests in the UK. And that, I suggested, in unprecedented and unlikely to last.
The Tories have long abandoned this role. The Prime Minister has explicitly said so.
The vast majority of the business community abhors Brexit but the Tories are dedicated to it.
The only part of the business community liking Brexit are the hedge funds, and they're wealth extractors and not wealth creators, as businesses know.
I am not saying business must have political representation. But traditionally they have, and I strongly suspect that they will again.
In that case where we are is politically unsustainable and political realignment is inevitable.
The left needs to be ready.
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Business used to have the tories in their pocket but seemingly no longer? Or more likely the tories have switched their loyalties to different parts of business. Presumably the part with the deepest pockets and the most inclination to buy their way into getting their hands on the puppets strings. The part that sees itself as benefiting from Brexit presumably, as outwith all the propaganda, some businesses will make money from Brexit. The pirate faction we could call it.
“Honest” business having put all its eggs in one basket will find it difficult to switch. Will they be prepared to dig deep to buy back influence with Boris? Or god forbid will we see a Macronesque play. Likely doomed to failure until the mould is broken in British politics, as a former E.U. Commissioner used to like to say. It would take someone of Ken Clark’s stature to make something out of the Lib Dems. I doubt he would have the appetite for it but who knows? Could anyone else have the nous to shape such a fundamental realignment?
The exception to the anti-business rule is of course the Military Industrial sector which they are exceptionally keen on…
🙂