On July 5, 2024, United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced his resignation. This Indian prime minister has only been in office for less than two years and is about to step down, which is really a bit short-lived! Sunak's resignation was the immediate result of his party's crushing defeat in the general election, winning only 131 of its 650 parliamentary seats, while Labour won 410 seats and was able to form a government on its own.
It seems that the United Kingdom people do not buy the government of India taste! But seriously, it's a bit of a shame that Sunak stepped down so quickly. As the first Indian prime minister in United Kingdom's history, his coming to power would have been quite meaningful and reflected the inclusiveness of United Kingdom society. It's a pity that he didn't seize this opportunity to do a good job, but lost the support of the people for various reasons.
So the question is, why did the Conservative Party lose so badly after 14 years in power? I think there are several main reasons:
First of all, the United Kingdom economy has been flat in recent years, and the life of ordinary people has not improved significantly. Data show that from 2010 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of United Kingdom's GDP is only 1.59%, and per capita income has not improved. Prices are rising quite fast, with inflation reaching 6.8% in 2023. Can you live this life satisfactorily?
Second, the Conservative Party has had several prime ministers over the years, but almost all of them have not been good. Johnson violated epidemic prevention regulations to hold parties and secretly used political donations to decorate the official residence; Theresa · May have been engaged in Brexit negotiations for three years without negotiation; Truss collapsed the economy when she came to power, and she stepped down in 45 days. Even Sunak himself was fined for attending illegal parties, and his wife was exposed to tax evasion. One by one, how do they look like they are in a serious state?
Let's talk about Brexit, which can be said to have been done by the Conservatives themselves. In order to be re-elected, Cameron promised to hold a Brexit referendum. As a result, I didn't expect it to be really taken off, which brought huge losses to United Kingdom. The Conservative Party's operation is really shooting itself in the foot!
Seeing the Conservative Party pulling its crotch so much, United Kingdom voters must want to change their tastes. But the question is, will Labour's coming to power surely lead United Kingdom to a bright future? I look at the hanging.
Labour leader Starmer's platform sounds beautiful: infrastructure buildup, green energy and health care reform. But the problem is, it takes a lot of money! But where does United Kingdom get the money now?
The data shows that United Kingdom's public debt to GDP ratio is close to 100%, and the deficit rate is also more than 5%, which is far beyond the warning line. The number of corporate bankruptcies increased by 14% year-on-year last year. In this case, the Labor Party wants to raise taxes, but businesses and people can't afford it; If you want to borrow money, the debt burden is already so heavy. What's the matter?
Let's talk about the reform of the health care system. The NHS (National Health Service) in the United Kingdom is now full of problems, and it is the norm to see a doctor and wait for a doctor. If you really want to improve, you have to invest astronomical sums! Does Labour have the financial resources?
As for road construction, United Kingdom is now alarmingly inefficient. Take the HS2 high-speed railway under construction as an example, the cost is almost 6 times that of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway we built in Indonesia! Where does this money come from?
In terms of foreign affairs, it is not expected that much will change after the Labour Party comes to power. The top Labour Party has made it clear that it wants to strengthen transatlantic relations, and to put it bluntly, it is to continue to follow United States.
In this way, whether it is the Conservative Party or the Labour Party, United Kingdom is now in a rather embarrassing situation. Both domestic and foreign affairs face many challenges, but there are not many resources and means to deal with them. It's really hard to ride a tiger!
For Sunak's resignation and changes in the political situation in the United Kingdom, netizens are also discussing. Let's take a look at the opinions of several netizens:
@英伦腔: "Sunak stepped down too quickly, right? It felt like he was leaving before he could do anything. However, the Conservative Party has indeed crossed over the years, and it is good to change people. ＂
I would like to say that Sunak's tenure is indeed short, but it also reflects the current instability in United Kingdom politics. Frequent changes in leadership will have an impact on policy continuity and governance effectiveness. On the other hand, the timely adjustment also shows that United Kingdom's democratic system is still working.
@茶味浓: "Will the Labor Party be able to do a good job in the economy?" It feels like United Kingdom has been getting worse and worse over the years. ＂
This netizen expressed the concerns of many people. Indeed, the United Kingdom economy has been mediocre in recent years, and it is unclear whether Labour will be able to turn things around. After all, the problems facing United Kingdom are structural, and it may be difficult to fundamentally change them simply by changing the ruling party. If the Labour Party is to make a difference, it needs to come up with practical solutions, not empty slogans.
@国际通: "I think United Kingdom will be more pro-American in the future, and the relationship with China will probably be more difficult. ＂
This judgment makes a lot of sense. Judging by the statements of the Labor Party, they do tend to further strengthen relations with United States. In the current international situation, United Kingdom may follow more of United States' China policy. This will undoubtedly bring new challenges to Sino-British relations. However, we must also realize that there are still many common interests between the two countries, and both sides need to find a balance in the new situation.
@历史爱好者: "It feels like United Kingdom have gone downhill over the years, and it can't compare to the glory of the British Empire back then. ＂
Indeed, in terms of global influence, United Kingdom today is not comparable to its imperial period. But this is actually the inevitable result of historical development, the world pattern is changing, and United Kingdom is also adjusting its positioning. Importantly, the United Kingdom still maintains influence in many areas, such as finance, technology, culture, etc. In the future, United Kingdom may find a new path of development.
@经济学徒: "United Kingdom such a high debt, will you not be able to pay it back in the future?" That's miserable. ＂
This netizen asked a very pointed question. United Kingdom's current debt levels are indeed worrying, and if not handled well, it could indeed trigger a larger economic crisis. But on the other hand, United Kingdom, as a developed country, still has a certain risk tolerance. The key is for the new government to adopt smart fiscal and economic policies that strike a balance between stimulating growth and controlling debt.
Looking back at the political and economic changes in United Kingdom over the years, I have to say that this former "empire on which the sun never sets" has indeed encountered a lot of trouble. The aftermath of Brexit has not yet eased, with sluggish economic growth, political turmoil and declining international standing.
But then again, United Kingdom is still there after all. The advantages in the fields of finance, education, science and technology are still obvious, and the ability to innovate should not be underestimated. The key is whether the new government can find the right direction and formulate practical policies to lead the country out of its predicament.
For us, the change in United Kingdom politics does have some implications. However, judging from the general trend, the development of Sino-British relations still depends on the fundamental interests of the two countries. Both sides should adopt a more rational and pragmatic attitude in handling their relations, seek cooperation in competition, and seek consensus in differences.
Of course, the international situation is changing, what will be the future of United Kingdom, let's continue to pay attention. What do you think about the future of United Kingdom? Welcome to leave a message in the comment area!