Podcast Summary
UK Conservatives face backlash over Boris Johnson's potential return to campaign trail: The Conservative Party's decision to bring Boris Johnson back to campaign in 'red wall' areas despite his past dishonesty and the lack of progress in their 'levelling up' initiative has drawn criticism.
The Conservative Party in the UK is facing criticism for considering bringing Boris Johnson back to campaign in areas they call the "red wall," despite his past dishonesty. Meanwhile, the "levelling up" initiative, a flagship scheme aimed at improving these areas, has shown little progress, with only 10% of its funding spent. In Russia, Putin secured a landslide victory in the presidential election, but signs of civil disobedience suggest the country may be more divided than he wishes. In media news, Ofcom found against GB News for lack of impartiality in certain episodes, but the channel sees this as an opportunity to test the system and garner attention. Authoritarians like Putin hold elections to maintain legitimacy and present an alternative to democratic opposition, both to their own people and the world.
Ofcom's Ineffectiveness in Enforcing Rules Frustrates Many: People are changing their habits due to perceived ineffectiveness of regulatory bodies. Some politicians leave politics due to lack of secondary income and monotonous nature.
The regulatory body, Ofcom, has been criticized for its lack of effectiveness in enforcing rules, leaving many feeling frustrated with the system. Marie Leconte, a journalist and author, shared her observation of how people are changing their habits, like noticing smokers more often. In politics, former Conservative MPs Brandon Lewis and James Heapie have announced they won't stand for re-election, leading to speculation about why experienced politicians leave the House of Commons. Some argue that the lack of opportunity for secondary income and the monotonous nature of being an MP may contribute to their departure. As for Penny Mordaunt's potential extension of her tenure as prime minister, the consensus is that it's still uncertain, with no clear indication of what's happening.
The Red Wall's Symbolic Significance in UK Politics: The Red Wall represents the Conservative Party's hold on traditionally Labour constituencies, symbolizing their success in the 2019 election, despite potential losses in the future.
The current political landscape in the UK is facing a lack of productivity and engagement, with parliament sitting less than in any other historical period and MPs left with little to do but gossip. This boredom has led to the rise of the "red wall" as a political touchstone for the Conservative Party, as they seek to maintain control over constituencies in the North and Midlands that turned Tory in the 2019 election. The red wall has become a symbol of the party's identity and success, despite the potential for these seats to be lost in the next election. The discussion also touched on the importance of Patreon support for the podcast and the potential for live shows.
The Red Wall in British Politics: Misunderstood and Different from the US: The Red Wall in British politics refers to voters with Labour backgrounds but Conservative values, primarily in the north, who may not respond positively to Boris Johnson's campaigning due to negative perceptions of him.
The term "Red Wall" in the context of British politics does not refer to economically struggling areas or people living hand to mouth. Instead, it describes voters who had traditionally Labour lives but identified more with Conservative values. These voters, often in the north, had the means for a decent life but remained loyal to Labour due to tribalism. Boris Johnson's potential campaigning in these areas may not be effective as the public holds a negative view of him. The term "Red Wall" should not be compared to the US rust belt or forgotten places, as Britain is geographically smaller, and the demographics of Red Wall voters are not significantly different from the rest of the country. The misconception arises from the comparison to the US Blue Wall, a term for consistently Democratic states, and the confusion of colors.
Red wall areas with urban blue pockets: Underestimating shifts in red wall areas and neglecting investment in these regions can lead to unexpected election results and disconnected voters
The so-called "red wall" areas in America and the UK, often labeled as strongly conservative or Republican, can contain pockets of urban blue areas with fewer residents. These areas may have historically shifted between political parties, and their residents may feel disconnected from the political system. The conservatives in the UK, for instance, may have underestimated the Brexit vote as a short-term solution rather than a permanent change. The lack of investment in these areas by political parties and the selection of local, inexperienced candidates has contributed to the perception of "weirdos" or "gap fillers" in power. This trend could potentially affect the Labour Party in the UK as well. Overall, understanding the complexities of these areas and their voters is crucial for effective political representation and strategy.
Red Wall Voters and Conservative Approach: The Conservative focus on 'red wall' voters may overlook opportunities in suburban and semi-rural areas, as their 2019 offer was not economically conservative and voters want good public services and state spending.
The Conservative Party's approach to the so-called "red wall" voters may be misguided. While some argue that the party is abandoning these voters, others believe that the 2019 Conservative offer was not truly conservative economically and that these voters want good public services and state spending. Additionally, the coalition of voters that brought the Conservatives to power in 2019 was unwieldy, and attempts to please everyone have led to a zero-sum game where pleasing one group means alienating another. With the British economy and cost of living being major concerns, as well as frustration over being labeled and treated as a quirky northern phenomenon, the Conservatives may be making a mistake by focusing too much on the red wall instead of suburban and semi-rural areas where they are currently struggling.
Neglecting marginal constituencies during elections can lead to losses: Political parties may overlook resources and support for marginal areas due to overconfidence, potentially losing voters and eroding their base. Urban and suburban areas aren't the only 'red wall' in politics, semi-rural areas also play a significant role.
Political parties, particularly those in power, often underestimate the importance of supporting marginal constituencies during elections, leading to potential losses in areas previously considered safe. This overconfidence, or hubris, can result in neglecting resources and support for these areas, ultimately contributing to the erosion of their voter base. Another key point discussed was the misconception that only urban and suburban areas make up the "red wall" in politics. Instead, it was emphasized that semi-rural areas also play a significant role in this demographic. As for the hero and villain of the week, Jose Andreas, chef and founder of World Central Kitchen, was recognized for his efforts in delivering aid to Gaza, bypassing the blockade in a unique way. The US House of Representatives, on the other hand, was criticized for attempting to ban the popular social media app TikTok.
The Complexities of Heroes and Villains in Society: Banksy's art reveals deceit, Level Up brings hope, mortgage lenders and NHS hospitals present challenges, Chef Guy saves lives, and NHS cover-up culture needs addressing.
Individuals and groups, both heroic and villainous, continue to shape our society in various ways. Banksy's latest artwork serves as a reminder of the deceptive nature of appearances, while Level Up's campaigning brings hope for pregnant women and their babies. Mortgage lenders and NHS hospitals, on the other hand, present challenges that require urgent attention and reform. Chef Guy's food delivery service stands out as a heroic act saving lives, while the NHS's cover-up culture remains a villainous issue that needs to be addressed. Ultimately, it's crucial to acknowledge and address the complexities and nuances of these issues, as they impact our lives in profound ways.
UK's leveling up agenda faces challenges: Despite promises, the UK's leveling up agenda has not effectively reduced regional inequalities due to insufficient implementation and resources.
The UK's leveling up agenda, aimed at reducing regional inequalities and improving living standards in neglected areas, has not been successful due to a lack of implementation and resources. The Conservative Party's promises to rebuild and invest in these areas have not materialized, leaving many communities in a worse situation than before. The failure of the leveling up agenda is not solely due to this specific policy, but also a larger issue of mismanagement and underfunding of various government programs. Some progress has been made, such as the devolution of decision-making power to local governments, but without substantial investments and concrete results, the initiative has lost public support and momentum. The mortgage lenders, while disliked, may make a more viable villain for those seeking to criticize and bring change to the system.
DLUC faces challenges in delivering on leveling up agenda: The DLUC, under Michael Gove's leadership, struggles to make significant progress on the government's leveling up agenda due to limited resources and support from the top.
The Department for Leveling Up, Housing, and Communities (DLUC) under Michael Gove's leadership has faced challenges in delivering on the government's leveling up agenda due to a lack of support and resources from the top. The small individual funding allocations for colleges and delays in programs can make a positive impact on access to higher education and skills, but the lack of progress is preventing officials from discussing these achievements publicly. Gove's reputation as an able and independent-minded minister doesn't necessarily reflect poorly on him, but the slow progress on leveling up might suggest more about the broader challenges within the government, particularly under Rishi Sunak's tenure as prime minister. The frustration within the department comes from their knowledge that they could be doing more but are limited by the lack of impetus and resources from the top. Despite some frustration, there is a belief that the government did care about the issue, but the complexities and long-term nature of the problem make it a challenging project for a government that values grand gestures over details.
Political Promises and Trust: Challenges in Implementation: Despite promises to rebuild neglected areas and restore trust, slow implementation and low public trust make progress challenging. Trust in US and UK govts is low, and partisanship adds complexity.
Despite politicians' promises to rebuild neglected areas and restore trust through ambitious legislation, the implementation process can be slow and fraught with challenges. This issue is particularly relevant to the theme of politics in the 2020s, as seen in the cases of Trump and Biden. The slow progress of such projects can further erode trust in governments, especially when the public's expectations are not met. According to recent polling data, trust in governments in both the US and the UK is alarmingly low, around 15% and low twenties, respectively. The partisan nature of politics may also play a role, as people's trust in their preferred party tends to be higher when they're in power. The economy's current good shape under Biden, for instance, is not reflected in the polls or media coverage. The deeply divided nature of society and the prevalence of grandiose promises from opposing sides can make it even more challenging to restore trust and achieve meaningful progress.
Criticisms of 'levelling up' and its impact on public trust: Despite the intentions behind 'levelling up', past initiatives have left a negative impact on public trust due to unfulfilled promises and misconceptions about the focus of investment areas.
The concept of "levelling up" has been criticized for being just a slogan with no real substance or delivery, as seen with previous initiatives like the Northern Powerhouse and the Midlands Engine. The focus on specific areas for investment, such as Barking and Canary Wharf, has been misconstrued as only benefiting the "red wall" regions, when the intention was to address pockets of deprivation everywhere. The failure to deliver on these promises has left a lasting impression on the public, making it an uphill battle for any conservative government to regain trust. Furthermore, the post-pandemic shift to remote work has affected areas like Canary Wharf, adding to the challenge of revitalizing these areas. While there's hope for improvement with a new government, the cautious approach to spending may limit the progress that can be made on infrastructure projects. On a lighter note, people are turning to books, films, and TV for escapism during these uncertain times. Marie is currently reading "Rita Yvonne Says, How Iceland Changed the World" by Egal Fridriksdottir Bjarneisen, which offers an engaging and easy-to-read exploration of Iceland's history and its unexpected influence on the world.
Exploring diverse cultural experiences through media and literature: Discovering various forms of media and literature broadens perspectives, fosters empathy, and bridges cultural divides.
Individuals can discover and connect with diverse cultural experiences through various forms of media and literature, broadening their perspectives and fostering empathy and understanding. Yasmeen discussed her recent engagements with "Masters of Air," a series about US army officers in World War 2, and "Rami," a comedy-drama about a first-generation Arab American Muslim kid growing up in New Jersey. She also mentioned reading "Demon Copperhead," a retelling of David Copperfield set in the Appalachian Mountains, and watching a documentary about the Irish band Micro Disney. These experiences have given her new insights into different communities and histories, demonstrating the power of media and literature in bridging cultural divides. Despite the challenges of accessing certain content in her location, Yasmeen remains committed to seeking out and engaging with these stories, emphasizing the importance of staying curious and open-minded.
The inspiring journey of Scottish band Microdisney: Despite never achieving major success, Microdisney never gave up and their reunion shows were described as incredible
The documentary "Microdisney: The Kiltrocks and the Mouse" tells the inspiring story of a Scottish band who never quite made it big but never gave up. The film covers their journey up to their reunion shows in 2018, which were described as some of the greatest things the speakers had ever seen live. The documentary is moving and recommended for those who appreciate stories of perseverance. A reunion scene is particularly touching. The speakers also plan to create a playlist and provide a link to the documentary in the show notes. The documentary serves as a reminder of the brilliance that was Microdisney, a band who deserved proper recognition. The show, Oh God What Now, will be back on Thursday for Patreon backers and Friday morning for everyone else. The hosts encourage listeners to upgrade their Patreon support to help keep the production running. The show is produced by Chris Jones, with audio and video production by Robin Leiburn and Chris Jones, respectively. The managing editor is Jacob Jarvis, and the show is a Pod Masters production.
