Mutiny
That could well lead to a general election. Polls show that the majority of the public believe the Conservative government must go to the country if it changes leader.
Labour gets ready
In response, Labour is drawing up a progressive policy programme in preparation for government. At an event in London on 23 July, shadow cabinet ministers will draft plans for up to 35 bills and a budget, the Guardian reports. The agenda will apparently bounce off Labour’s 2017 manifesto, which included a nationwide social-housebuilding programme, cooperative ownership of key industries, and increasing the pay of public workers.
Former head of the civil service Bob Kerslake has been meeting Labour advisers almost fortnightly to brief them on the detail of how Whitehall operates. That includes the appointment powers they would gain on entering government.
Good news for Corbyn
Labour has soared ahead of the Conservatives in the past four consecutive polls, with the last two recording a five-point lead. Facing criticism that May is not delivering Brexit, the ruling party has bled some votes to UKIP.
The prospect of an election will strike fear into many Conservatives, given that Labour came from over 20 points behind to almost winning in June 2017.
Election rules mean the mainstream media have to give Labour’s policies a fairer hearing. And the possibility of changing the government means the public look closer at what’s on offer.
Popular policies
Labour’s 2017 manifesto included:
- Railways being run publicly: by the people, for the people – just like railways are in France, Italy and most European democracies.
- Ending the Conservatives’ NHS privatisation, which doubled from 2010 to 2016. So health care will be fully publicly run.
- Creating public and democratically run energy firms at a local level, to deliver renewable energy. These would compete with the Big Six.
Polling has consistently shown that voters overwhelmingly back measures such as public ownership of vital services. And the British people may be close to achieving just that.
With the prime minister on the brink, an anti-racist, progressive government is closer to power than at any point in UK history. Anyone concerned about the state of the country would be foolish to waste the opportunity.
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Featured image via 10 Downing Street – YouTube and Chris McAndrew – Wikimedia
