It has been brought to our attention that Wham's 'Last Christmas' is again number one in what used to be called the charts.
George Michael’s lyrics; ‘last Christmas I gave you my heart, but the very next day you gave it away', could be seen as having some parallel with voters’ relationship with Labour. Back in the summer the Labour Party was returned to Westminster on 33.7% of the popular vote.
Given the bizarreries of the first-past-the-post voting system, their 412 MPs hold a huge majority. But that 'electoral capital' already seems to be dissipating.
The press have covered the refusal to remove the two child cap, the inaction on the winter fuel allowance and now the hypocrisy over compensation for the WASPI women. Additionally action on the environment was stopped and Employers’ National Insurance was used to gain income without full consideration of the costs. Many in the media have spoken about presentation. But for those that were offered change this feels like betrayal. And the prospects for the economy do not look great.
As we move into 2025 what can we expect? Wars in Gaza and Ukraine continue. Syria has seen a change in regime, but what this will mean longer-term waits to be seen. We need to develop meaningful solidarity. The major global powers appear unable to agree the rules of beneficial cooperation.
In Scotland we have the (not too small) matter of agreeing the country’s finances. February will see the smaller parties in the Scottish Parliament take a view on what some have described as a politically clever budget. Certainly Robison and Swinney were able to highlight difference from London in their approach to welfare. But there was no fundamental move towards redistribution.
If the budget is supported largely as it is, it will still mean hard times for the poorest. Councils across Scotland, especially those which cover areas where life expectancy is lowest, will cut services. The combination of Labour at Westminster and SNP in Edinburgh means only that this is likely to be done at a slower pace.
Can a combination of the trades unions, individual MSPs and campaigners make a difference? It is important that for the planet, for those economically hit hardest, for our young people and for democracy that we get more than managed decline.
First Minister John Swinney has looked to steady the ship within the SNP and that appears to be his planned approach toward governing Scotland. Labour in Scotland have been encouraged by some to more openly illustrate their differences with Starmer. However, thus far Anas Sarwar's attempts at doing this seem tame and disingenuous.
Amendments to the budget might be important in terms of detail. There may well be a version that sees the SNP minority administration gain enough agreement for it to be carried. This will help the SNP set the conditions for the 2026 Scottish election campaign. But without a realistic alternative to things as they are the spectre of Reform UK may take shape in our parliament.
It is not just Anas Sarwar that would do well to move to the left, it is Scottish politics in general. Over the coming months the Democratic Left Scotland website will provide a space for perspectives and proposals to explore how this done.
Published 24 December