The reality of wanting a fully
functioning political environment that creates a thriving economy has been put
into perspective this month with the devastation that has been caused by the coronavirus
escalating beyond control.
A shortened and sombre look at February 2020……
Viscous Virus
On the face of it this is a medical
problem but it is also an intense political, economic and financial issue that illustrates
that it is impossible in a globalised world to isolate a country as rich and
important as China.
It is only when a public health issue
turns into an economic or political issue that significant publicity is given.
I’ve seen it so many times before……until there is political, financial or
economic unease, it is not taken seriously.
Well that economic hit has certainly
been made with many major stock markets experiencing their worst week since the
financial crisis in 2008. That is quite a response to the non-medical threat of
the coronavirus. The string of declines pushed investment indexes in Europe and
the US down more than 10% from their recent highs.
The moves come as the outbreak weighs on
the Chinese economy, restricting travel, causing manufacturing slowdown in
China and upending global supply chains. This has led to companies across many industries
warning that sales will be hit.
Let’s hope that those who have the power
to lead and make a difference remember there is human and not just corporate
cost at stake.
Let’s hope.
Sajid Surrender
In any other month the sight of the
Chancellor resigning in protest of the Prime Minister would be a big deal. A
very big deal.
The background is that Sajid Javid was told
to sack his advisers who were not sharing the same ideals as BoJo. He refused
and jumped from position as a consequence.
So just to be clear, Dominic Cummings is
basically Prime Minister and Chancellor currently. Staggering.
Number 10 is right about one thing……Government
works better when the Chancellor and the Prime Minister work together. But
there is no shortcut to achieving that and the best way to encourage harmony
between Number 10 and 11 is for a Prime Minister to appoint their closest ally
to the job. But Theresa May and BoJo share one characteristic……both of them are
loners and BoJo doesn’t have a parliamentary best friend he could appoint.
Enter stage left……Rishi Sunak as the
next to take on Number 11.
An alternative to appointing your best
buddy is to appoint a Chancellor who is at least philosophically aligned with you
and committed to the same goals.
Time will tell……but some political love
between Number 10 and 11 is essential.
Trading Blows
Perhaps the change at Number 11 is
simply BoJo arranging his teammates in readiness for the battle that lies ahead
negotiating a trade deal with the EU. We really do need a united cabinet as we
take this on.
The latest development is that the Government
will decide in June whether to abandon talks with the EU and prepare for a no
trade deal on World Trade Organization terms. That decision will be made if
insufficient ground has been made in talks with the EU.
The acid test will be if what it calls
"good progress" has not been made on areas such as financial services
and data, which the Government sees as the easiest areas to negotiate.
In the meantime, expect lots of
political chest thumping and media spin from both sides (as if the last 3 ½
years of it wasn’t enough).
Donald’s Democratic
Dodge
Given the news coverage elsewhere, you
will be forgiven for forgetting that the Senate cleared The Trump after his historic
impeachment trial.
He was cleared of (1) abuse of power by
a 52 to 48 majority of senators and (2) obstruction of Congress by 53 to 47. Dare
I suggest that if his own political party did not hold a majority of seats in
the Senate, then the result would have been different? Dare I?
Within 24 hours of The Trump being acquitted,
his approval rating reached an all-time high. It seems that there is no such
thing as bad publicity for this man.
It’s Been A Bad February
For……Option 1 – Sajid Javid
We need strong people in big political
positions. Jumping out of a boat at the sight of the first wave is not strong
behaviour.
The legacy of his time as the Chancellor
is the introduction of a new 50p to celebrate leaving the EU. That’s it.
Nothing else was achieved.
If it wasn’t true it would be funny.
It’s Been A Bad February
For……Option 2 – Government Storm Response
The days of a ‘once in a lifetime’ storm
hitting the UK turned into a ‘once a generation’ storm in my teenage years.
Unfortunately, it is now ‘this years’ storm and what feels like half the UK
being flooded is now an annual event.
If we can justify spending £106 billion
on a slightly faster train (nearly twice the estimate from 5 years ago), surely
we can inject money into our economy through flood and storm defences that will
stand the test of time?
The Government’s lack of response to the
human cost of the storms / flooding is simply unacceptable and lacks
empathy.
The Met Office issuing guidance of “another
10 days of difficult conditions” doesn’t stop the rain. It doesn’t stop the
flooding.
Over to you Number 10 and 11.
It’s Been A Bad February
For……Option 3 – Public Health
Coronavirus.
No further questions.
And Finally……
A character in an Asterix comic book was named
after the coronavirus - three years before the deadly Wuhan outbreak. In
Asterix and the Chariot Race (2017), a masked villain taking part in the
titular race was named Coronavirus. It certainly is a villain.
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