Officially UK Fucked

It’s the morning after the day of the event that has been described as the most important UK general election in a generation. Looking from the outside in from the lush Caribbean jungle, I am stunned and appalled by what the nation I once proudly called my home has come to.

The Events Before the Shit Storm

A lot has happened in recent years on the political and social front in Great Britain, and most of it is pretty ugly. Once upon a time not that long ago, there was a referendum on the country’s membership of the European Union. A small majority voted in favour of leaving the EU, surprising friend and foe alike. Several years of Tory rule had already eaten away at what was left of the UK welfare state. University tuition fees had tripled,  a wide range of social benefits had been cut, and the pride of the nation, the National Health Service, was quietly but surely being dismantled. Child poverty has hit record highs as a staggering 36 percent of children in the world’s fifth largest economy- that is the UK, folks- lives on or below the poverty line. After the referendum a new Prime Minister came on the scene. She, as a ‘remain’ voter, had the thankless task of striking an exit deal with the EU and pass it through parliament. Getting a deal wasn’t so much the issue. Passing it through parliament, however, was quite an ordeal. After a third failed attempt she decided to step aside as Prime Minister for someone else to take on the tough task, just as her predecessor had done before her.

Boris Smells the Job

This was the cue for journalist-turned-politician Boris Johnson to take his chance to finally fulfil his long-held dream of becoming Prime Minister. Johnson had been mayor of London  for two terms and briefly served as Foreign Secretary earning himself the dubious honour of one of the most incompetent ministers in modern history. Yet, for some peculiar reason he is very popular with a certain segment of the electorate. After a party leadership contest Boris Johnson claimed the job, despite being known as an opportunist with no vision, no plans and very few skills besides writing provocative columns and the ability of uttering fancy quotes in Latin. Starting his Prime Ministership with a small majority in government, he soon lost this majority as well as all of his parliamentary votes. Despite not having a majority in the Lower House, he challenged the opposition to call an election and they took the bait. After a short campaign period and plenty of dirty Tory tactics and cowardly behaviour, it seems Boris’ deplorable campaign actions have paid off. Not only does Boris Johnson remain in power, he can claim the biggest Tory landslide win since 1987. 

Dark and Dirty Political Juju

It seems a true mystery to me how Boris Johnson has been able to dazzle the majority of  the electorate despite his obvious lies, deceitfulness and incompetence. Sure, I get it you are not keen on Labour leader Corbyn and I also understand if you voted in favour of leaving the EU. That you have chosen to cast your vote for opportunism, dirty tactics, lack of compassion and the destruction of your country’s social fabric, I do not understand at.all. Until last night I still believed the British electorate had a sufficient dose of common sense. That people would see Boris’ lies, deceitful, dirty tricks and empty rhetoric for what they are. I believed, apparently quite naively, that even Brexiters and Conservatives wanted a Prime Minister who at least has the appearance of competence and integrity, rather than just being entertaining. However, Boris Johnson’s dark voodoo seems to have triggered a landslide win.

Showbiz for ugly People

Politics is not called Showbiz For Ugly People for nothing and for many, Boris Johnson offers excellent entertainment value. People who find Boris quite amusing, don’t seem to realise that this form of entertainment is going to cost them dear. Boris doesn’t support Brexit out of conviction. He decided to support a UK exit has it would give him the biggest chance of becoming Prime Minister. Boris might get Brexit done but only in a way that benefits him and his billionaire pals. Boris is not going to get the people a good Brexit deal. He doesn’t give a shit about the people and even if he did, he doesn’t have the competence to negotiate a good deal. Boris is like the Wizard of Oz, with the only difference that it is clear he is the little man behind the curtain. Just follow the yellow brick road and get fucked while the one percent is laughing. Boris has clearly shown us the true nature of the political game. Like a contestant in a badly produced reality TV show, to win the game you don’t need skill or integrity, just blind ambition and the willingness to play dirty.

You might be a Brexit voter or a Conservative rejoicing the election result. Yet, unless you have your billions stacked away in a tax haven, or you are a Tory career politician about to make your next step on the ladder to the depths of hell, this result has no winners.

If you live in the UK, I wish you much strength and courage, wherever you find yourself on the political spectrum. You’re going to need it,’cause what a fucking mess the country is in now.

image: the Guardian