By Gabriel Princewill-
The British public will today go to the polls to decide whom they want in Downing Street to lead the Uk after a tumultuous few years in British politics. With the polls very tight and suggesting a potential hung parliament, the outcome may be hanging in the balance.
Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn are the leading contenders, and both have reasons to be relatively apprehensive of defeat. Johnson has been the betting favourite from the outset, but the polls now suggest a potential hung parliament. A lot will depend on last minute swings, as the public cast their votes. Indications from enquiries made are that many members of the public remain undecided, with many opting to abstain because of growing cynicism in many quarters about politicians.
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Both the tory leader, Boris Johnson and the labour leader, have campaigned earnestly to project their vision for the country, with each doing their utmost to discredit the other, planting doubts in the minds of the electorate about the credibility of the other. Mr. Johnson has premised his mantra on getting Brexit done alongside an array of other promises including a large splurge of cash on many aspects.
Derided for being a breaker of promises atop a list of past indiscretions ranging from the allegedly prejudicial to the expression of insensitive comments about single mothers, Johnson has apologised for any offence caused from his past writings. Johnson has made some unacceptable comments, some misconstrued , others regrettable. Johnson’s comments on Muslims looking like letter boxes was more along the lines of prejudice but not racists.
There has also been the common failing of blurring the distinction between prejudice and racism. Whilst the latter involves the former, the former does not necessarily imply the latter. His comments of Muslim women looking like letter boxes was prejudicial(and inadvertently Islamaphobic) but not racist as generally perceived. Some of the other comments or actions made by Johnson several years ago which have been branded racist not been defensible, but Johnson has said his intention wasn’t to offend.
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EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY
His declaration to promote equality of opportunity and nurture the talents and genius of the country will observed; this being a key assessment of his premiership besides addressing the political challenges of Brexit. His main focus is getting Brexit done, but the conservative leader has challenges ahead to face if he wins tonight’s vote. He will need to unite the country and present a viable framework for progress.
Corbyn’s shortcomings are more pronounced. Charged with presiding over an antisemitic party and being at best indifferent about eradicating the ugly scourge of racism in his party, the Jewish community has expressed grave concern about the possibility of him being elected. It doesn’t bode well that the Equality Commission is investigating several complaints of racism in his party.
Corbyn has been deemed a liability to the security interests of the Uk and also an unapologetic anti monarchist. Some of his supporters reject this, saying his inclination to talk to the IRA in the past was aimed at achieving some kind of peaceful reconciliation. Many voters are impressed with neither leader, but Johnson has the larger following headed for a majority, despite the close polls this morning. Some polls had Corbyn 2 points ahead suggesting a shock overthrow, but polls are not always accurate.
As many abstain from going to the polls, more of Johnson supporters will be motivated to go to the polls. Corbyn has vowed to fight for the ordinary man and challenge the comfort zone of the rich and powerful. He has promised to inject a lot of money into schools and offer a second referendum in the event of victory. Many of those in favour of referendum will vote for Corbyn, and those staunchly in favour of Brexit will go for Boris Johnson.
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