‘Labour Must Be Bold on Political Reform Beyond It’s Own Self-Interest if we are to have a Properly Functioning Democracy’
There’s no shortage of good ideas to address the UK’s political and economic decline. The challenge is how to get there.
The calamitous consequences of 13 years of Conservative misrule on the UK are plain to see – loss in public confidence in our democratic institutions and public services, our economy forecast to be the worst performing in the G7 this year, and our country no longer as respected or trusted internationally.
The twin calamities of Boris Johnson’s botched Brexit and Liz Truss’ disastrous premiership were only the most damaging stages in what has been more than a decade of decline.
Our strong stance on Ukraine, commitment within NATO, status at the United Nations, and enduring quality of our universities, scientists, creative and service industries continue to preserve us some goodwill and standing. But not enough to offset the damage elsewhere.
The cuts to our aid, diplomatic and military budgets further reduce our global influence, while the Government’s threats to renege on its Brexit deal, leave the European Convention on Human Rights and violate international refugee law undermine our moral standing to urge other countries to adhere to the rule of law.
It is increasingly clear that serious constitutional reform is necessary to address the weaknesses in our system that brought us to this pass in the first place.
In a properly functioning democracy, Johnson would have been held to account for his serial dishonesty, financial impropriety and dubious associations with Russian oligarchs long before ‘Partygate’.
In a properly functioning democracy, the process of delivering Brexit would have been more measured, consultative, transparent and accountable – rather than rushed through, without proper scrutiny or honest explanation of its implications, and would have resulted in a less divisive and damaging outcome…
