Last Thursday the UK held three by-elections, notably one in Uxbridge to replace the disgraced former prime minister Boris Johnson. While the Tories held this seat (and lost two others to Labour and the Lib Dems), it was reassuring that the ‘ interplanetary space warrior’ candidate ‘Count Binface’ won more votes than UKIP and than Jeremy Corbyn’s older brother Piers. What was even more encouraging was the fact the new Labour MP for Selby is a 25 year old.
It is a welcome sign in a world where political systems, notably in the two main Anglo-Saxon countries, are becoming ossified – that is concentrated, perhaps mired, around a two-party system, and around age-old political dynasties and networks.
New Blood
In other countries, ossification has taken hold in different ways. In France for example it will, in the light of recent events, surprise readers that nearly half of the members of the Assemblée Nationale are first time deputies (it was a remarkable 75% in 2017) and they are collectively younger than previous political generations (seven years younger than the 2007 batch). Yet, in France, the ossification occurs lower down in the political system (mayors) and in the running of the state.
However, like Germany and a range of other European countries, there is a fluidity and even Darwinism in the party system, with old parties (French Socialists) being easily culled and new ones springing up. One to watch is the resurgent Vlaams Belang party in Belgium (they are fighting for Flemish independence and might just be the end of Belgium as we know it).
The idea of new parties springing up, and in some cases spanning borders is something I had devoted a few pages to in The Levelling, though arguably it is one trend that has not quite materialized in the way I expected.
For instance, I had expected to see a coordinated, cross-nation ‘Heimat Party’ (‘old values’, right wing) across northern countries, but instead these parties are currently emerging in southern European countries (watch Vox’s performance in Spain this weekend). Notably there is international coordination on the right – nefariously between Marion Marechal Le pen and Steve Bannon, and slightly less so between Giorgia Meloni and Mike Pompeo.
In the UK and US, there have been several attempts to set up new parties. Some years ago I sat in on a few meetings of United for Change, a new centrist party in the UK that was well funded, had an impressive list of potential candidates but never got off the ground, much like Chukka Umunna’s Change UK.
This month in the US, a new organization called ‘No Label’ has been launched, with great promises of policies and new presidential candidates to be announced in coming weeks, though what has so far been communicated is unsatisfying.
Trump v Biden Again
In the US, the prospect of another Biden vs Trump contest should energise new candidates. Some of these will simply come forward to plant the seeds of future national careers and others should be genuine contenders. In our November 5th 2022 note we stated ‘that the really interesting political figures are found at the mayoral and gubernational levels – Mike Duggan in Detroit and Francis Suarez in Miami’. True to form, Suarez has recently announced a presidential campaign and is one to watch for the future.
To those who desire to break the ossification of political systems in the UK and US, there may be hope ahead. In the US, there are rumours and hope that the CEO of JP Morgan Jamie Dimon might run for President. While I have no insight into whether this is possible, Dimon has enough name recognition, money and support from the business and media establishment to mount a credible ‘Unite America’ presidential campaign. One to watch.
Then in the UK, back to Shelby. It is very likely that a general election in the UK (summer 2024?) could elevate Labour to power, potentially in a coalition with the Lib Dems. This might in time lead to a change in the electoral system, away from the first past the post system and towards proportional representation. This could be Labour’s contribution to revolutionizing British politics, it would allow smaller parties to thrive, likely provoke a split in the Tory party, and usher in an age of consensus built, coalition governments.
Count Binface would approve.
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