"Fragmentation is no longer the future of British politics. In many places it is its present. After a quarter-century in which Labour and the Conservatives dominated electoral life, both parties suffered heavy losses in their traditional strongholds. Politics since the turn of the century has been upended: Reform UK seized the Tory bastion of Essex, home territory for Kemi Badenoch; the Greens wrested mayoral power in London's Hackney and Lewisham from Labour; and Plaid Cymru routed Labour in Wales' Senedd."
"Clearly Sir Keir was on the ballot paper and was roundly rejected by the voters. The question is whether the prime minister is listening to the electorate or hearing what suits him. Many voters appear unconvinced that the government represents a meaningful break from the Conservatives. The prime minister said that people had sent a message that the change that we promised isn't being delivered in a way they can feel. Change exists, says Sir Keir, but people don't perceive it."
"This message risks patronising voters or at worst gaslighting them. These elections suggest that disappointment with Sir Keir has already curdled into cynicism. Voters have demanded change in recent elections and felt neither Labour nor the Conservatives were capable of delivering it. This election exposed an electorate deeply alienated not just from the government or the opposition but from the political system itself."
"The beneficiaries are increasingly parties offering, in rhetoric perhaps more than substance, change. Ominously, Reform's politics of grievance and division has proved successful in the postindustrial red wall areas taking Sunderland council from Labour after 50 years as well as in the leafy shires where"
Local and devolved elections show heavy losses for Labour and the Conservatives in traditional strongholds. Reform UK gained ground in Essex, the Greens won mayoral power in Hackney and Lewisham, and Plaid Cymru routed Labour in Wales. The results indicate fragmentation is already present rather than a future trend. Voters rejected the prime minister and expressed doubt that government change is being delivered in ways they can feel. The prime minister’s claim that change exists but is not perceived risks sounding patronising or dismissive. Disappointment has hardened into cynicism, with voters feeling neither major party can deliver. Parties promising change, including Reform, have benefited by mobilising grievance and division.
Read at www.theguardian.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]