Dressing up with the PM

One ‘win’ appeared to be the lifting of the (one way) UK>US travel ban, although, in reality, this was the result of the US lifting the ban on 33 countries, including EU member states and China. On the much-vaunted US trade deal, there was nothing to be said, or rather, what wasn’t said spoke volumes. When questioned, both Biden and Johnson prevaricated awkwardly, with a “We’re gonna have to work that through…” here and a “the reality is that Joe has a lot of fish to fry…” there. Given that the trade agreement is considered to be the ultimate prize in the ‘Why did we do Brexit?’ stakes, this is a major blow for the Johnson project, such as it is.

US animosity to Johnson and the UK notwithstanding, Biden’s clear message, “I would not at all like to see, nor might I add, would my Republican colleagues like to see a change in the Irish accords.”  was that the issue of Ireland is as big an obstacle to good UK relations for the US as it is for the EU. If only someone had tried to point that out back in 2016…

Now that baiting the French appears to be in resurgence as a national political pastime and post-hoc justification for leaving the EU, Johnson filled his boots with the spectacularly patronising, “I just think it’s time for some of our dearest friends around the world to prenez un grip about this and donnez-moi un break.” on the topic of the AUKUS submarine controversy.

Master of none

Back in the UK the government is looking at the prospect of a very difficult winter. Rocketing energy and food prices, combined with the tax hike and cut in Universal Credit will make for an awful lot of unhappy voters. It’s clear that those sympathetic to Johnson are prepared to take a lot of punishment, but an extended drop in living standards might be a step too far. Worse, the double whammy of Covid and Brexit means that the threat of that unspeakable ghoul – (whisper it) stagflation is now being discussed openly by economists. We thought that we were going back to the 1930s, but it might end up being the 1970s instead.

And what of the alternative, Her Majesty’s Most Loyal Opposition? Keir Starmer’s ongoing attempts to drag the party away from the hard-left now include a 14,000 word essay entitled ‘The Road Ahead‘. The central thrust appears to be the distinctly Conservative-sounding themes of ‘opportunity’, ‘security, and a ‘contribution’ society where hard work is better appreciated and valued. The paper has provoked a wide range of responses, as one might expect, meeting with broad approval from the right of the party and noisy disparagement from the left. As ever, the Labour leader is hemmed in by his party’s continued ambivalence on Europe and the terrible imperative not to blame the Tory Brexit for the problems everyone knows it has caused. Given that a solid chunk of Labour activists would like nothing more than to see Starmer lose by more seats than Corbyn did, ‘the road ahead’ will probably want a complete resurfacing before he takes his dented Rav4 out on it.

Here at Renew we are continuing our Conference preparations in earnest, writing (short) speeches, preparing presentations, delivering invitations, sending press releases and also (naturally) seeking out a venue for post-conference food and drinks. The months (and years) since the last General Election have been as tough for us as they have been for everyone, but we feel that we are now turning a corner. The tail-end of Covid will mark a new start for Renew as we reshape the party and rebuild as a credible, reformist political organisation, offering a distinct and viable alternative to the creaking party franchise system that has brought us to this unenviable spot in our shared history. It’s time for something new and we want everyone on board to spread the message.