A UK General Election is the Only Way to Achieve Stability

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Just when it seemed as though British politics couldn’t sink any lower, the nation now finds itself in the worst crisis many can remember. Although the Conservatives may blame market forces, the war in Ukraine, and COVID for the current state of affairs, the British people know who’s been in charge these past 12 years. With Labour now enjoying a sizeable lead in the polls, and public confidence in the Tories at an all time low, can Britain really call itself a democracy if it lets yet another unelected Prime Minister govern?

In a previously published Opinion Piece for Pi Online, it is argued a general eleection would only cause more chaos. The piece appears to present what seems to be the pragmatic view: yes, the Conservatives have made mistakes, but to call an election now would only lead to more instability. What the country needs now is leadership! However, this government has been the exact opposite of stable, and to let them carry on undermines British democracy.

If democracy means anything at all, it means rule by the people. It seems to me, the majority of the British people do not feel as though they have any control. The conservative party are holding the British people hostage under its disastrous economic plan, which was never put to a public vote. Democracy is not about having a “strong and stable” leader. To suggest that the people must simply trust in the wisdom of the political class is anathema to the very democratic ideal. If you do not believe in the ability of the public to make informed political decisions, then perhaps you need to ask yourself whether you believe in democracy at all.

Some might argue that we should give Rishi Sunak some time as Prime Minister before we can consider an election. But, we can already see his political record. As chancellor, he was tarred with the infamous “partygate” scandal, and fined for his illegal actions. He is also the richest PM we’ve ever had, and his tenure as chancellor saw him try and support tax evading tactics, such as non-dom status, which his wife benefitted from. 

If that wasn’t enough, Sunak has reappointed Suella Braverman as Home Secretary, despite having been previously fired for sharing official state documents via a private gmail account. What’s more, he announced that he wouldn’t be attending COP27 in Egypt, in the same year the UK reached 40°C for the first time, but has, once again, just u-turned. 

For the past 12 years, the Tories have ground down public services, let real wages fall year-on-year, tried to illegally prorogue parliament, allowed over 160,000 people to die in a botched pandemic response, broke their own laws during that pandemic, and now have trashed the economy in the most spectacular display of hubristic incompetence we’ve ever had the misfortune to witness.

Walsh talks of stability, what of justice? What of holding officials to account? What of equality? What of our planet? Tory apologeticism can only stretch public credulity so far. If stability is the concern, then how is it feasible to allow such an unstable government to carry on for nearly two years?

Working people are certainly not waiting until then. Already we have seen the biggest resurgence of industrial action for years, and there’s no sign of it slowing down. Rishi Sunak is proposing to make such action illegal. That is not a solution. That is suppression. 

What is clear is people are beginning to get angry. If they cannot express their views via the ballot box, they will find other means. Already, a national demonstration has been called for the 5th of November by the People’s Assembly.

Of course we all want financial stability, but we want that stability on fair terms. There comes a point where we must ask, are they running this country for the markets or the people? That’s a question the people must answer in a general election.