Opposing the authoritarian populism of the Johnson government
JVL Introduction
JVL is united in our commitment to democracy, to Labour’s progressive programme, and opposition to all forms of racism.
The decision to prorogue parliament is one with terrifying implications for all on the left, whether remainers or leavers. It is a step in the drift towards an authoritarian populism with its attempt to cast out from “the people” those who are not “with us”. The parallels with developments in Trump’s America, Hungary, Brazil and elsewhere are obvious.
In this article from rs21, Max S analyses the current situation and discusses here how the protest may be deepened.
This article was originally published by rs21 on Sun 1 Sep 2019. Read the original here.
Double or nothing
Max S assesses the meaning of Boris Johnson’s decision to suspend Parliament, and the prospects for the protest movement that has broken out against him
Loading article text…
Typical SWP “piece”.
Ostensibly intellectual but – in reality – advancing no credible strategy.
It slags off every part of the political establishment – including Corbyn and the Labour Party.
I question the wisdom of having this “piece” featured on the Jewish Voice for Labour web site.
It could easily be misconstrued by our opponents.
It must have seemed, the five week proroguing of Parliament, to Prime-ministerial chief aide Dominic Cummings and new Leader of the House and ERG guru Jacob Rees-Mogg like a ‘neat idea’ several months ago when I suspect they thought up this Machiavellian manoeuvrer? This is a very British Coup.
Though this ‘neat idea’ may backfire on Boris Johnson. We have an informal unwritten Constitution. A ‘Gentleman’s Agreement’ if you like. But legal challengers, by lawyer Serena Miller and backed by former Tory PM John Major, as well as the multi-party effort in Scotland fronted by the SNP. Combined with cross party support to get an Article 50 extension to be tabled in Parliament as an emergency motion this coming week, which could make the new regime look tyrannical . It will be demonstrated that ‘a week is a long time in politics’.
Traditionally the Court’s usually are separate from Parliament but are playing a more interventionist role. That may result in what Charter-88 were calling for, with Rowntree-Quaker support, back in the 1980’s. A formal written Constitution with no need for a rubber stamping by an unelected head of State? And never forget the Royal Prerogative was used to remove elected Labour PM of Australia Gough Whittlam in the 1970’s.
This is not the first proroguing. Though usually reserved for five days before a Queens speech or dissolution of Parliament prior to a general election. The last time Parliament was prorogued like this was in the 1630’s by Charles I and he was decapitated for that error of judgement.
And I believe Boris Johnson wants a deal. He desperately needs one. But several points here the European Union don’t like him and his endless critical, some invented, public utterances and in writing of them over the years.
And invoking democracy with no general election to back his wobbly one seat majority calling on an unelected head of state to suspend our elected representatives whilst hoping an unelected upper house will support him bodes ill for him with his bleating about sovereign democracy and taking back control.
But Dominic Cummings and Jacob Rees-Mogg don’t care as a no-deal Brexit is fine by them. Tax havens and hedge funds are all that matters to them. Oh what a deadly web we weave when first we practice to deceive?