On the eve of the British elections the experts, and the people who say they know, both in Britain and the U.S., predicted a slim win for the Tories, possibly even an upset for Labour.
What happened? Some 364 votes for the Tories standing for the House of Commons and 203 for Labour — the biggest vote for conservatism since 1987 and the biggest loss for Labour since 1935.
The elites were wrong again.
They have been and continue to be wrong about so much.
And that is, in no small measure, what the election was about: The people, especially disenfranchised laborers and people in rural Great Britain, saying: Not this time. We actually do know what is best for us and we know what we voted for and we meant it.
American politicians who do not see the parallel to this country are living in denial, or an alternative universe.
Boris Johnson has given us a lesson if we are willing to learn.
His message is fairly simple: popular sovereignty and national sovereignty.
That is, the people, not the queen, and not the courts or the media or the self-anointed enlightened class, get to choose their leaders and their national direction.
And the elites are not allowed to veto, or nullify, the people if they think their choices ill considered.
Britain voted for Brexit. The British wanted to be British not Europeans (Johnson calls it “One Nation Conservatism”). They wanted their own economy. They were not globalists and did not wish to be part of a global economy in which British jobs were given away to other nations. They wondered how impoverishing them was somehow modern and progressive. They would not willingly be absorbed.
Britain’s leaders thought they knew better and sought to delay, soften or outright derail the exit. Johnson knew the people meant it and that they had the right. His message was: “Get Brexit done.”
His message was also: Let’s be real about governing. To hell with being woke or with ersatz socialism.
The British-born political commentator Andrew Sullivan opines that “The political sweet spot of the next few years will be a combination of left economics and a celebration of the nation state.” He describes Borisism as “Disraeli’s reformist conservatism of the 19th century — a somewhat protectionist, supremely patriotic alliance between conservative elites and the ordinary man and woman.” He holds that this is Trumpism with a head and heart.
Sullivan points out that Johnson committed to tax cuts for the poor, a higher minimum wage and increased spending on public housing and public health. He co-opted the left and won traditionally Labour districts in the North, the Midlands and Wales. Hence, he created the possibility of party realignment and conservative dominance for many years to come.
On the night of his victory, Johnson made a point of thanking traditional Labour voters who trusted him and gave his party a chance to defend their interests.
There is a lesson for Republicans in the U.S. and the president here: Reach out. Expand the base.
And there is a lesson for Democrats: Hug the middle and get out of the East and West Coast elitist bubble. Don’t promise what cannot be delivered but pursue what will help the country progress and change economic fortunes in the heartland and for the working man and woman.
The ultimate lesson for both parties? Respect the voters.
— Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
