Something quite extraordinary happened yesterday. A state visit took place, with all the associated pomp and ceremony, and no one was allowed to witness it, or to wave the required flags, or to cheer, let alone to stand and watch all the great and good who were to be paraded in front of them, which is the whole purpose of such events.
Why was that? It is because the people of this country are, very obviously, no longer to be trusted by our authorities. They do not believe it is possible to put someone like Donald Trump in front of us and expect us to behave with the obsequiousness that these occasions supposedly demand. And as a consequence, the powers that be retreated, quite literally, behind closed walls, symbolising the enormous divide that now exists between those in authority and the people in this country.
Over a long period of time, I have argued (as have others, of course) that the divide between a ruling elite and the rest of the population in the UK (and elsewhere) has grown considerably.
Partly this is because of the pre-existing wealth divide from which this country has long suffered.
And partly it is because of the ideological differences between the elite and everyone else, with that elite thinking that their sole purpose is to enhance the well-being of the country's wealthiest people, whether they come from established money or have exploited their way to their newfound exceptional riches, whatever the cost to the rest of us.
Whichever it is, the inevitable result of their actions is that the divide between the power elite and everybody else has increased. We can now see that this divide has reached the point where it is recognised that these two groups cannot coexist: there is no trust left.
What is now clear is that the ruling elite can no longer display their power and wealth without objection and rising dissent. As a consequence, those displays are now having to take place in controlled environments, with the media receiving images that are guaranteed to be sanitised of any interaction with the people who form the population of this country.
No society that has reached this point can survive for long. When there is no connection between those with power and those over whom they are powerful, the breakdown of that society is very clearly signalled, and its collapse is likely to follow. This is the dangerous point that we have reached.
I have no time for the far right, but I do understand why people are angry with a powerful elite in this country that has left them precarious at all times, and most especially vulnerable to the economic whims of those who think austerity is necessary for the sake of mistaken political goals.
I am aware that I am at risk of repeating myself this morning about the dangers that Labour is creating by, in turn, perpetuating what the Tories did for 14 years. However, I think that the risks we are facing as a consequence of Labour's chosen economic policy are so significant that this fact (for fact it is) has to be pointed out time and again.
The price we are paying for the neoliberal economic folly is now one that is too great for people to bear.
By implication of their actions, those in power now know it, which is why they are retreating.
Whilst there is no fascist alternative that will meet people's needs (as the elite running Reform prove by their own backgrounds and priorities, which match those of the Tory elite that led us to this disastrous situation), in the absence of any other economic narrative amongst the larger political parties, it is to fascists that people will go. That is why Labour is so dangerous.
The power elite has drawn up the drawbridge at the castle (quite literally, as it turns out). We are in very deep trouble unless:
- Labiur abandons neoliberalism and outs resources to work to relieve the problems that exist in this country
- We tackle inequality
- We rebuild hope for now and the future, which also requires that climate change be addressed.
It's a simple recipe. It's also the only one that will work.
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Labour will not change. I can guarantee that the state visit will have included demands to further silence the Left, in exchange for investments. Investments that will likely cost us more in the long run. American investment in nuclear energy? Merely there to power their data centres. Tech company investment? Merely AI destruction of jobs and privacy, with the productivity gains going abroad to shareholders.
Much to agree with
Thank you for a disturbingly prescient article!
Might equitably efficient wealth distribution be as important as wealth creation?
Might a genuine democracy have a high responsiveness to realities quotient?
[…] Cross-posted from Richard Murphy’s blog […]
I dare say that since writing this blog early this morning you’ve seen the reports of the indefinite cancellation of the Jimmy Kimmel late night show in the US because he dared to say things about the Kirk murder that Trump and his supporters don’t want anyone to hear. Chris Hayes (on MSNBC) has about the best segment on it, and the wider effect on the US media: https://www.msnbc.com/all (second segment from the top). This must be watched by everyone in the UK, as it’s yet another example of how Starmer’s quite happy to sell out any moral standing the UK had to keep Trump happy.
But the point I want to make, that actually follows from points Chris Hayes covers, is that I really don’t think the elites that locked themselves away within the walls of a castle (neofeudalism?) yesterday are worried in the slightest about where the divisions you point out in the blog are taking us. I really don’t.
My view is that they look at what Orban in Hungary, Putin in Russia, and Erdogan in Turkey, and, most importantly, how they’ve been able to maintain control (indeed, even strengthen it), and they simply conclude that that’s exactly the playbook that they’ll follow when it gets to that stage here.
Ben Rhodes (on Chris Hayes) makes the crucial point that currently in the US most people see what Trump’s doing with the destruction of US democracy and the turn to authoritarianism as only having started 9 months ago. But as he notes, that’s not the case at all – which is why Trump’s as far down the road to dictatorship in months as it took Putin years to achieve. In short, this is the implementation of a plan that’s been five or more years in the making, and where the oligarchs that are necessary to such authoritarian takeover (in a capitalist country) have been in place and ready to act for years too. And now they are – witness the neutering of the Washington Post, cancellation of Colbert, Kimmel, and so on. Indeed, it’s now possible that the owners of MSNBC will be bought out by a Trump supporting billionaire, which, as I’ve predicted previously, will signal the end of MSNBC and it’s critical coverage of Trump.
I have been pondering how to deal with Trump, Kimmel, the NYT (and Murdoch), ANTIFA, MSNBC and more. I will, but maybe later. The fact is, full on fascism is almost here and we are trumpeting Trump here in the UK.
They may not be worried, but they should be, is my conclusion.
Before you write anything, Richard, watch this segment from Lawrence O’Donnell. Like you, he doesn’t mince his words and it’s bang on topic: how Starmer’s now dragged the King into the Epstein affair in his desperation to sell out the UK to Trump. Stunning stuff.
https://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/watch/lawrence-trump-wants-us-to-talk-about-jimmy-kimmel-so-we-ll-talk-about-trump-jeffrey-epstein-247824453781
I will, later…
There’s been lot’s of debate about a second state visit for Donald Trump. I can entirely understand why some people are vehemently opposed. I try to bear in mind that it is respect for the US Head of State, and the American people, not the person of Mr Trump himself. That helps as I hold my nose.
But, of course, it’s behind the drawbridge. Otherwise there would be widespread protests, which would defeat the purpose of the visit, which is, of course, to palpate Mr Trump’s pathologically swollen ego. This is highly distasteful. But we do depend on the US in some ways.
There was ridiculously large amounts of pageantry yesterday behind the drawbridge (James O’Brien’s commentary on LBC was very funny). I can’t help wondering whether this excessive pageantry is a typically British joke, perhaps by the King, on Donald. Anyone sensible would see it as grossly, absurdly, over the top. But Donald, with his inflated ego, is too stupid and self obsessed to realise. So those in on the joke can quietly laugh behind their faux smiles whilst Donald laps it up.
The serious point is that we do depend on the US. We shouldn’t need to, but having been in thrawl to neoliberalism for far too long, we have allowed our economy to crumble. It is clear that the US is no longer our friend and ally. If we don’t want to have to lick Trump’s arse we need to grow our economy and become more independent. We can do this by moving away from the absurd, arbitrary, fiscal constraints. If we want to repair and grow our economy the government has to spend more (and “borrow” it from the Bank of England, not by selling gilts). Whilst not the only reason, the US has grown it’s economy by greatly expanding their accumulated deficit (wrongly called the National Debt). We can, and should, do the same.
Much of that deficit spending has been on its armed forces and great effort has been made to hide this spending in published government accounts. The reasons should be obvious.
I saw the Chris Hayes piece… How long before even that is censored?
I also read yesterday that Starmer is pushing ahead with digital currency for all and bank serviellance for everyone (under the guise of fraud)
One Battle After Another.
How long before YouTube takes me down?
It is clear they are already reducing payments: our rate per view is falling steadily and that can only be because they are not putting us in front of advertisers despite the fact we are in the top 3% of channels.
YouTube has been strangling its creators for a long time now, for purely financial reasons. It’s called “Enshitification.” They have a monopoly and can now extract from everyone: viewers, creators, and customers. That said, I have seen a marked decline in Left-Wing, progressive, or non-status quo channels recommended to me over the past six months. Since Charlie Kirk’s assassination, I have seen a significant downturn. There was nothing in my feed. Additionally, despite the fact that the vaunted algorithm should be able to discern my politics, I have had recommendations for the Ayn Rand Institute, Laurence Fox, and adverts from the Israeli government that amounted to little more than propaganda.
Worrying, but true here too
It ought to now be obvious that as a desperate throw of the dice Make Britain Great Again (for the rich elite) requires Make Britain Hate Again hence the distraction of whipping up hostility to immigrants!
The 1% just love their fancy dress costumes and pantomimes. But the masquerade is looking more of a farce as each day passes. Reality is getting harder for them to paper over with tacky distractions.
We are already the 51st state, economy owned by US giants, security services subject to CIA infiltration control, airbases and nuclear weapons etc etc
The King talked about ‘sharing’ and partnership – its really subjugation
Thankfully despite being considerably weakened by Brexit, this is not yet the case. I agree in our defence policy this can appear the case, but our country still has it’s own distinctive personality and despite not having a written constitution Trump would have never been able to gain power here. He previously had held no political office, which would have made it impossible to become prime minister here and his convictions would have barred him re standing.
”
This, from the White House: President Trump: “The deal includes billions of dollars of increased market access for American exports, especially in agriculture, dramatically increasing access for American beef, ethanol, and virtually all of the products produced by our great farmers.”
“The UK will reduce or eliminate numerous non-tariff barriers that unfairly discriminated (sic) against American products.” ”
https://x.com/EuropeanPowell/status/1968595672002711603
F*ck
So, let’s take the job losses that will cause off the 7,500 that Labour has apparently just created through this trade deal.
Agreed
This is behaviour we would accused Soviet Russia and it’s ilk of not very long ago. How far we have fallen. But I’m glad we still have clever people like Led by Donkeys achieving their stunt. Like the guy playing Things Can Only Get Better as Rishi Sunak stood in the pouring rain announcing he was calling an election, the fact that we still have our British humour and people prepared to be arrested for it gives me hope.
One does wonder how 2016 Sanders v Trump would have gone. Re Kimmel his info was inaccurate hence the ire? (Also show cost wise a loss leader for the network?)
Starmer and the rest of the LINO leadership appear utterly enthralled with the US tech bros, Trump, the Heritage Foundation et al.
LINO has swallowed the mantra “the UK can’t afford it”.
No steer’s indifference regrettably means that the UK is slowly but surely drifting far rightwards.
The public’s current attitude? What can I as an individual do? Nothing. The feeling of helplessness is palpable.
A very different presidential visit
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G1B-A1rXQAANotl?format=jpg&name=900×900
Just to add to your piece and the comments already made. Starmer is trying to make hay with the announcement – coinciding with Trump’s visit – of £150bn new investment in the UK by US companies. However, £90bn of that investment is reported to be coming from private equity firm Blackstone. Private equity firms specialize in buying up companies, cutting costs, avoiding reinvestment in productive activities, and engaging in what used to known as asset stripping. There are many variations but almost all tend to be disadvantageous to the reicipient economy.
I know this is a scary, worrying time but I just thought I would interrupt to say thank you very much to that horse for taking a dump in front of trump. What a legend!! Now that is a dirty protest 😉
I don’t believe in the honours system but, on this occasion, I will make an exception. Give that horse a knighthood!!!
Craig
[…] By Richard Murphy, Professor of Accounting Practice at Sheffield University Management School and a director of the Corporate Accountability Network. Originally published at Funding the Future […]
My ex-brother-in-law and his wife who were staying with us earlier this week reported chatting with a senior civil servant at his son’s wedding last weekend who indicated that their current assumption is that Starmer may well be gone before Christmas to be replaced by the unctuous Streeting.
From bad to worse
I noticed the list of corporate attendees at the state dinner with Trump, Starmer, and Windsor (or whatever his name is). I did not notice any working class representatives, no one from trade unions, no one from NGOs, no representatives of the poor, the disabled, the non-white, etc., just corporate heads. Mussolini, allegedly, said something to the effect that fascism could be called corporatism because it was the merging of the state and the corporate sector. It sounds as if this state visit was the celebration of corporatism being firmly installed.
As for having drawn the bridge on the public, here in Halifax (Nova Scotia), the Israeli tennis team came to compete against the Canadian tennis team. The city and province gave the tennis federation money, justifying it by all the visitors it would bring to the city who would spend their money. There was so much protest, the ticket money was returned and the competition went ahead in a huge sports facility with no audience and no media allowed in. Some people never learn.
Thanks