Failed again

Since the General Election, June 8, 2017, it has become increasingly evident that the Prime Minister, Theresa May, not only lost her majority she lost her authority to govern.

She believed her own propaganda that she could run a presidential campaign against Jeremy Corbyn. It was a massive political miscalculation and it failed.

Jeremy ran a vigorous campaign with a transformative manifesto and a ground war that inspired young people to vote in their droves.

Now without a majority, and still in talks with the DUP, she has a Queen’s Speech that has jettisoned manifesto promises that not only alienated the Conservative core vote, it failed to meet the challenges that the country faces.

Add to this the horrific fire at Grenfell Tower where we saw Theresa May’s inability to connect with people and a government that she heads failing to provide the support survivors needed.

All of this is in stark contrast to the bravery and dedication of firefighters, the police and the medical staff who again and again go towards danger.

The Queen’s Speech included the necessary bills for the passage of Brexit including legislation on immigration, customs and trade arrangements.

Disarray

With the government in disarray and a Prime Minister in office but not in power the legislation has been pared-down.

The government has tried to extract the toxicity of their manifesto so there are no plans to expand grammar schools, or have a free vote on fox hunting.  The attacks on pensioners have bitten the dust as have getting rid of free school meals.  And manifesto plans on social care have been pushed out to consultation.

There is a promise of a counter-terrorism review following recent terrorist attacks but as the Commissioner for the Metropolitan Police, Cressida Dick, has made clear the force is stretched to the limit.

It was  silent on the public sector pay cap, which has left those who care for our sick, clean our streets and help keep us safe struggling to make ends meet.

There will be no early, much-needed respite for hard pressed renters with action on landlords and agents to ban extortionate letting fees have been kicked into the long grass in the form of a draft bill.

There is nothing that will address the worst fall in living standards on record and its continuation OECD forecast we will have biggest fall in wages in 2018 of OECD countries joint with Finland and no end to austerity.

There won’t be a Queen’s Speech next year as the Prime Minister tries to desperately to cling onto power but as the general secretary, Len McCluskey made clear today, “We now face a two year battle to prevent the Tory party from using the Brexit process to take apart the employment and safety protections we all value, but are regarded as obstructive ‘red tape’ by government ministers and Tory backbenchers.

“The Tories had a chance today to show that they understand the issues of this country – growing poverty, insecurity, the need for decent work, public safety and a chance for our young people.

“They failed. The sooner they are gone, the better.”