British Politics and Ours

Both Sri Lanka and the UK have experienced an unprecedented political upheaval of late. It is interesting that both leaders agreed to resign within a day of each other. Everybody else saw the ‘the end is nigh’ sign for quite a while. They didn’t or didn’t want to see it until the very end. (There are none so blind as those who refuse to see). As a result, whereas they could have exited a little earlier in a more dignified, the final departure was unedifying.

Two years ago, this outcome would have been unimaginable. There are similarities and differences between these two leaders, their fate and how it came about. This article attempts to explore these.

At the beginning

Both Boris and Gota were relative newcomers to politics. They had a reputation for ‘getting things done’ by banging heads together, if necessary. The establishment was too slow and sluggish and needed to be shaken up. Traditional rules are the bugbear of development and should be broken or bypassed. This was their philosophy and, on the whole, they did get things done.

At the time, people wanted a change from the ineptitude of the previous regime and saw them as a breath of new life into politics and government. Thus, they were given a massive mandate. The supporters raised Gota to ‘Kinghood’; Boris didn’t need the supporters – he did it himself! The rules were for others – ‘we make them and we break them’. The supporters believed they ‘could walk on water’. The rot set in when they started believing it themselves.
When caught having broken the rules, Boris tried to change them. Gota believed he was the law and in fact said, ‘my word is the gazette’. That was the beginning of the end.

The reasons for and the manner of the final departure could not have been more different. Gota ruined the economy and bankrupted the country. Boris did neither – he merely attended parties during the lockdown! Yet, he wasn’t ousted for that but for being caught lying about it. One could see the difference in the standards expected of our rulers in the two countries.

There was no ‘BorisGoGama’ camping outside the No. 10. No protests or rioting in the streets. His ministers merely descended on him one by one and told him, ‘Boss, the game is up. Time to go’. It was all over within 24 hours.

In contrast in Sri Lanka, the parliament did nothing to resolve the matter for three months. It was busy throwing insults at each other. It was irresponsible and impotent.

The manner of replacement

In the UK, this is very orderly and democratic. Starting with eight candidates for the leadership (hence for the Premiership), they were whittled down to a final two by a series of elections amongst the Conservative MPs. These two will go head-to-head to all the Party members in the country for the final choice. In the meantime, Boris stays on as the caretaker PM. The transition is very smooth and the work of the government goes on.

In Sri Lanka on the 20^th of July, the Parliament met to vote for a new interim President. It was a rare occasion when the MPs behaved in a civilised manner. The Secretary-General and his team deserve praise for carrying out the election efficiently and professionally. Apparently, there has been some last-minute bartering and the favourite lost to Ranil who performed ‘a Phoenix’.

‘Buying and selling’ of votes happens here in the UK Parliament too. Apparently, the total pledges to the respective candidate by the Tory MPs total to about 50% more than the actual number of MPs!

I was impressed by Ranil’s speech of acceptance – it was brief, inclusive and statesmanlike. Dulles A’s speech too was generous and accommodating (if a bit long). In contrast, AKD simply threw his toys out of the pram! It was a pathetic display of pure envy full of negativism. He claimed that this president or any president elected by this Parliament has no legitimacy. Then who has? The JVP, who polled a mere 3.84% at the last election, or the mob outside??

When Ranil was appointed PM, there were some legitimate misgivings as he came ‘through the back door’. But now that he has come through the front door, he deserves the support of all parties to pull the country back from the brink. People must stop carping and barking from the sidelines. If they have nothing positive to offer, the least they can do is to keep quiet.

The most important barometer of stability is the view of Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the CBSL. As long as he feels he could work with the new government, we could feel confident. If he packs up and goes, as he did before, that is the time to start worrying.

So, let us give time to the new administration to get on with the urgent task of rebuilding. The Mahindagama protestors have taken a wise decision to do so. They must be saluted. Those left in the streets run the risk of becoming ‘forever protesters’. Let the reality sink in that they are in fact being used. They have become mere puppets in the hands of their masters, hiding in the dark. Let them go home and start doing some productive work like the silent majority and thus help the economy.

It is high time the Police started doing their job of maintaining law and order and retook the streets, by force if necessary. They have been very tolerant so far, now is the time to get tough. In the meantime, let the priests start behaving as such, instead of hurling insults and agitating the crowd.

The Calibre of the players

This could not be more different in the two countries. In the UK too, the general public treat politicians with some disdain and suspicion. In reality, the vast majority are educated and have had successful careers before entering parliament. In fact, most of them lose money once they become a government minister (as we shall see). Also interesting are the equal gender and ethnic mix of the field and their outside interests.

Let us examine the profiles of some of the candidates for the leadership.

Rishi Sunak

: Chancellor of Exchequer (Minister of Finance) until recently. One of the final two. British Indian. Attended the prestigious Winchester College, where he was the Head Boy. First Class Honours degree from Oxford in Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE), which is the stepping stone for a successful career in politics. Fulbright Scholar in Stanford, USA. Worked in the USA and earned millions in the hedge fund business. He was rich and married richer; to the daughter of the Indian billionaire, Narayana Murthy, Founder of the ‘Indian Google’, Infosys. She is one of the richest women in the UK. Following a recent fuss about not paying tax in Britain for her earnings in India, she agreed to do so. It is estimated thereby she will lose 20 million pounds sterling a year! Clearly, a man who did not come into politics to EARN money.

Liz Truss

: Currently Foreign Secretary (Secretary = Cabinet Minister).

The second final contender. Daughter of a professor of mathematics. Oxford graduate in PPE. Worked as a management accountant for Shell and then as the economic director for Cable and Wireless. Has authored six books, including one on ‘The Value of Mathematics’.

Sajid Javid

: Previously Home Secretary, Chancellor and Health Secretary. Resigned twice on matters of principle. Son of an immigrant bus driver, and a mother who could not speak English. In school, he was told his best hope was to become a TV repairman! Obtained a BA from the University of Exeter in Politics and Economics and went into banking in the USA. Became the youngest Vice President of the prestigious Chase Manhattan Bank (at the age of 25). Later the Managing Director of the Deutsche Bank in London, where his salary exceeded 3 million pounds a year. He is supposed to be the MP with the highest earning potential and had to give up 98% of his earnings to become a cabinet minister. Another one who did not come into politics to earn money.
He also climbed Kilimanjaro for charity.

Knocked out in the first round of the leadership race.

Nadhim Zahawi

:

Currently Chancellor. Iraqi Kurdish immigrant, came to Britain when 11 years old. Degree in Chemical Engineering from Univ. of London. An astute businessman with multiple interests and assets. Co-founded the famous polling organisation, YouGov. His own company, Zahawi and Zahawi (co-owned with his wife), has an estimated worth of 100 million Pounds. An expert horse rider, owns a riding school.
Was knocked out in the second round.

Jeremy Hunt

:

Son of a naval officer. First class degree from Oxford in PPE. Found his own company and later sold it for 30 million pounds to enter politics. Was the richest MP at the time.

Knocked out in the second round.

Kwasi Kwarteng

:

Currently Business Secretary. Son of middle-class immigrants from Ghana. King’s scholar at Eton. First Class degree in History and Classics from King’s College, Cambridge. Kennedy scholar at Harvard. PhD in History from Cambridge. Worked as Financial Director at J P Morgan. Has written six books.

Did not have enough votes to stand.

Dominic Raab:

Justice Secretary and Deputy PM. Son of Jewish immigrants. BA in Law from Oxford and a Masters from Cambridge. Gave up a promising legal career to enter politics. Authored at least 12 books/publications.
Also, a Black Belt in Karate!
Did not have enough votes to stand.
The above list illustrates the calibre of candidates in the cabinet who are potential contenders to become PM. Thus, it is clear that the British ‘Cabinet’ is made largely of prime teak and solid oak.

And Ours

…?

Dr Asoka Weerakkody