Times they are a changing

The binary outcome of neoliberalism

The uncertainty and sense of continuous decline that has beset the UK from 7 years of austerity, a never-ending Brexit and wage stagnation has been emphasised by the recent general election and other events far more swiftly than I could ever imagine. There is a palpable sense that 'enough is enough. Mrs May's phrase about terrorism has been turned onto her government or, more precisely, the values that have guided her government's abject failure to recognise the reduction in the standard of living for those dependent on public services. The impact of austerity finally has come home to roost, as have the gross inequalities that have soaked the poor to sustain the rich.

Add the seismic fallout from the Grenfell Tower fire to the mix and we have the ingredients for a perfect storm of political change. The fires of neo-liberal economic forces released by Thatcher and tolerated or encouraged by every subsequent prime minister have almost burnt out. Osborne and Cameron used austerity to destroy and devalue public services and to reduce regulation and standards. The shocking outcome of Grenfell Tower reminds the public that regulation is there to protect citizens and is not just red tape as government ministers have been fond of telling us.

The importance of communities in coping with tragedies has been emphasised by their unremitted support for the victims of the fire. People of all faiths, ethnicities and statuses have worked side by side whilst both local and central governments have failed to provide leadership or meet their obligations to legislate and implement regulations. The people have shown that there is more that unites them than divides them. This is taken for granted by most of the younger generation but has extended across all age ranges.

Importantly and maybe for the first time, social media has trounced the media moguls in shifting public opinion. So we have lift off. Where it will take us is the great unknown but at last, the shackles of unfairness in wealth, taxation, rights, respect and representative democracy will no longer be able to be glossed over by the press and media. 

The UK undoubtedly needs to develop a codified constitution that provides a contract between politicians, businesses and citizens. It must value equality, co-operation and engagement across both local and global stages. The time is also ripe for local governance to be enshrined in the constitution that develops a federal form of governance, devolving power from  Westminster to the devolved nations and the English regions and embedding local government in the constitution. The vitality and innovation available at these levels of governance must no longer be subject to the vagaries and whims of an ossified parliament.