The Conservatives cannot be trusted to provide accurate information without skewing data, misleading comparisons, or indulging in some Trumpian ‘alternative facts’, particularly in their denial of Brexit damage. Kemi Badenoch’s latest trade figure announcement continues this trend.

After Badenoch announced impressive trade figures and other stats, Brexiters latched onto them as proof that Brexit is, and has been, a roaring success. But are all these figures an accurate and fair indication of the economic and trade situation, and do they prove Brexit success?

Fourth biggest exporter in the world?

Badenoch’s overall quoted figures in the above graphic are a mixture of 2022 and 2023 results. She stated in parliament that the UK was the fourth largest exporter in 2022. To conflate and make fact-checking harder, the sum of £862bn in trade is from a different year, ending Feb 2024.

Why do this? In 2022, sums were inflated by a rise in oil and gas import and export prices, due to the Ukraine war as well as inflation. Her figure was not adjusted for inflation and precious metal trades, which would be standard for making long-term comparisons.

The ONS’s 2023 trade data show that UK trade was much more stable in 2023 than in 2022. If you only look at the top-line figure, it seems like an increase in trade. However, once adjusted for inflation, total goods exports (not services) fell in 2023 by £15.2bn (4.6%) compared with 2022, with substantial decreases in exports to the EU and non-EU countries.

Compared with 2018 (the last stable period), total goods exports fell by £44.7bn (12.4%). In comparison, the rest of the G7 were up 5%. Without Brexit, we could safely assume that goods exports would have risen in line with the rest of the G7 and be around 17% higher than where they are. Now, that would have been a success story!

Looking at trade in goods for 2023, we see a very different worldview.

Leading the world in services?

The UK has a robust service industry and history of service exports. Most export growth mentioned came from financial services, insurance, travel, telecommunications and computer and information services. They have continued to do well since Brexit because, unlike trade in physical goods, most services are delivered digitally, for example, selling an insurance policy to someone or a company abroad. Services don’t have to navigate the same barriers that Brexit erected by adhering to strict customs rules with the products crossing a physical border. It makes sense they would be less affected by Brexit than other sectors.

Leading the world though? With $929bn worth of services sold internationally in 2022, the United States of America remained the world’s leader. The UK was second, by some distance, at $494bn. Still, considering the difference in the size of economies, this an impressive figure, albeit despite Brexit and Conservative policy.

£862bn in exports?

Not quite. The biggest issue with Badenoch’s figures of £862bn in the government’s report is that it has not been adjusted for inflation, which is standard for analysing long-term flows. The data she uses for the report from the Department of Business and Trade for the government document clearly states: “Unless otherwise stated, all figures are reported in nominal (current prices) and have not been adjusted for inflation. Accurate estimates (Chained Volume Measures) take into account inflation.”

Badenoch used the below graph to highlight the £862bn figure but after removing the effects of inflation, total annual UK exports of combined goods and services were £690.8bn in 2023, but hey, what’s a mere £172bn between friends?

In July 2023, the UK signed an agreement (not a trade deal) to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) – an Asia-Pacific trade bloc of 11 countries. This agreement is not yet in force for the UK. While it is good for cooperation and relations, the government has severely overegged this one, too.

Estimates show a mere £2bn boost to trade by 2040, less than 0.07% of UK GDP, mainly because the country already has FTAs with most CPTPP partners.

The UK has also signed digital trade agreements with Singapore and Ukraine; these are not considered ‘free trade agreements’.

To cut through the jargon – If we add up the impact of all the current FTAs and, for good measure, throw in the two big ones the Conservatives want with India and the USA, it would only give the UK a total boost of around 1% of GDP by 2040. This is a tiny amount compared with the already incurred loss of around 5% in GDP due to leaving the EU.

This video was taken before NZ deal came into force and this man is celebrating a false Brexit benefit.

We have always had nZ produce on our shelves, that Brexit opened up 🇬🇧market to countries which have lower standards than Britain is a betrayal of Tory manifesto pledge. Also… https://t.co/1qbLnB25DD

— Liz Webster (@LizWebsterSBF) September 3, 2023

It feels slightly contemptuous, assuming the public won’t know the difference, so why? Could it have something to do with the fact that last year Badenoch made a speech and came up with the plan called ‘Race to a Trillion’? £1tn in exports by 2030. So, if that’s her plan, which sounds better? £862bn, or £690bn. I think we have our answer.

73 trade deals agreed?

We often hear the government boasting of a new trade deal, but how good are they? Who benefits?

Of the 71 free trade agreements (FTAs) or trade deals the UK has signed since leaving the EU, 68 are rollover deals identical to those the UK had with those countries when it was inside the single market.

The UK has signed three new trade agreements since leaving the EU: with Australia, New Zealand and Japan. The National Farmers’ Union has strongly criticised the outcomes of the deals with New Zealand and Australia for their long-term effect on sectors like British beef and lamb, dairy and horticulture, saying “there appears to be little in those trade deals to benefit British farmers”. British farmers feel betrayed by their government and all for a cheap, quick Brexit success headline. Even New Zealand sees this.

Highest FDI (foreign direct investment) stock in Europe?

London remains a global financial powerhouse, and I’d love to break this down more. Still, after researching thoroughly, I found that the figure is too ambiguous and lacks details on what it supposedly represents. The only statistics I could find for the inward ‘stock’ of FDI were from 2022, and the Netherlands pipped the UK for the top place. If this applies solely to the UK’s FDI ‘stock market value’, and is for 2023, it could be correct.

Regarding FDI, France is first and has been for several years. In 2023, the UK was second, with Germany third. In 2022, the UK was third after France and Italy for inward FDI and second after Germany in outward FDI

80,000 jobs from 1600 FDI projects?

As noted above, France received the highest number of FDI projects at 1,194. The UK received 985 FDI projects in 2023, down 6% from 2022. Badenoch’s figures of 1600 FDI projects with 80,00 jobs created are amalgamated over a two-year period – certainly not a usual way of presenting figures.

The UK has done well overall on FDI investment, but the graph regarding general business investment shows a different story. Brexit has diminished confidence in the UK for businesses, making it much harder for them to plan ahead, which has led to this decline.

Faster growing economy than Germany, Italy and Japan?

In 2020, the UK was the worst-performing economy in the G7, seeing a 10.36% drop. The UK was the only country to drop double digits, which was one of the reasons its bounce back was also the highest in 2021, with an 8.68% lift. The UK also did well in 2022, when fuel prices and inflation were volatile. In 2023, however, only Germany had lower growth; this year, it looks the same. Looking at the graph below, the government is a little picky with its story by focusing on specific years only, not the overall picture or one available now.

Higher employment than in the USA, France or Italy?

This is a half-truth. In the case of France and Italy, yes, but not the USA. In 2023, the annual unemployment rate in the UK was 3.9%. The national unemployment rate in the USA in 2022 and 2023 was less than 3.6%. The UK is expected to see a rise in unemployment to 4.4% this year.

500 trade barriers removed?

Finally, here is a beautiful example of Tory doublespeak. They mean they have eliminated tariffs or allowed access to certain products to/from other marketplaces. Some examples given are:

• Selling new medicines and medical devices to South Africa.
• Cutting red tape for British pharma companies has also already led to £17mn of new business secured in Colombia.

UK-qualified professionals, including architects and auditors, will not have to fully requalify to work in Switzerland. Before Brexit, UK professional qualifications were mutually recognised across the EU member states. Since Brexit, they are not and have to be negotiated with individual countries, putting many UK professionals at a significant disadvantage to their European counterparts.
Rejoicing about removing trade barriers while completely ignoring that by leaving the EU, we erected trade barriers with our closest and largest trading bloc, adding mountains of paperwork, red tape and costs seems oxymoronic.

Small and medium-sized businesses, in particular, are struggling. In 2023, 45% of SMEs said it’s getting harder to trade in goods with the EU compared with 36% one year earlier, with a similar rise for SMEs selling services (43%, previously 34%). Large corporations and manufacturers can adapt and swallow these costs, but smaller businesses cannot, stifling growth and productivity.

Summary

Since Brexit, the UK’s ‘trade intensity’ (trade as a proportion of GDP) has fallen significantly, considerably more than other advanced economies. The UK economy has grown in some aspects, but not as much as it would have if we were still part of the European Union. Hence, any good news is despite Brexit, NOT because of Brexit. The graph below shows where the UK would have been without the Brexit effect.

In her words, Badenoch used these numbers to “confirm that the strategy the public voted for on 23 June 2016 is delivering. Leaving the European Union was a vote of confidence, and we are seeing the results”. For her to say so is profoundly flawed and categorically wrong.

With the cost-of-living crisis, crumbling services, rising costs and wage stagnation, the British public sees and feels a different reality to the sunlit uplands Badenoch and the Conservative party portray. “The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.” Luckily, the majority of the British people are not quite there yet.

In the run-up to the forthcoming general election, are we about to see Boris Johnson making a comeback? If reports in the Express are to be believed, Johnson is the Conservative Party’s secret weapon. Or at least, in the eyes of his supporters.

Boris Johnson set for big general election comeback in bid to rescue Tories https://t.co/CJ6qWeYZ4N

— LORIAGNE GLAUCOMA! NOT SHOUTING! (@Loriagne2) March 12, 2024

The suggestion is for Johnson to be “deployed” in red wall seats in the north of England and the Midlands, making speeches and appearing on leaflets in marginal constituencies. A government source said:

Whilst there have been reports suggesting a thawing of relations between Johnson and Rishi Sunak, these have been disputed by one of Johnson’s most loyal supporters, Nadine Dorries. Not only is there no thawing of relations, she says, but there are “no plans to campaign”. She added that “Sunak had not spoken to Johnson for over a year”. The country should be so lucky!

This story has been panic placed by No10 – probably by Issac Levido in a desperate attempt to halt any further defections to Reform.

There’s no thawing of relations, no plans to campaign. Sunak not spoken to Johnson for over a year. https://t.co/VdOqNNOFuT

— Rt Hon Nadine Dorries (@NadineDorries) March 12, 2024

The Johnson hokey-cokey

As for Johnson’s relationship with parliament, he has form for having a one-foot-in, one-foot-out position. Not only has he resigned twice as an MP, but even as PM he was often AWOL from Westminster and his prime-ministerial duties, even in times of crisis.

Johnson resigned as MP for Henley-on-Thames in June 2008, following his election as London mayor. His second resignation, as MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip, came in June 2023, just four years after leading the Conservative Party to an 80-seat majority in parliament. This resignation came after a series of political scandals – in particular following the Partygate inquiry – described by Johnson as a “witch-hunt”. But in true Terminator style, at the time, he pledged “I’ll be back”.

This latest move in the Johnson hokey-cokey may not, however, just consist of his deployment in red wall constituencies. He may also be looking to return to his former safe seat in Henley and may have even higher ambitions.

The former PM is mooted for a return to his old seat, but frenemy David Cameron could be in the way of any grand comeback plans… https://t.co/4V4yq4lgEO

— Camilla Tominey (@CamillaTominey) March 9, 2024

Rowing back up the Thames

In May 2023, Johnson bought a £3.8mn, nine-bedroom mansion in Oxfordshire, close to his former Henley constituency. Ever since, there has been speculation he has his sights set on a return to his former seat – the current MP, John Howell, having announced his decision to step down just one month earlier. Now new rumours are circulating that Johnson and his supporters have a plan to return their hero to Henley, at the very least.

In a recent article in the Telegraph, a “secret plan for Boris to take back the Tory Party”, was revealed. The ‘Henley plot’ sees Johnson’s reinstatement as an MP as the first step towards his return as leader of the Conservative Party. Presumably – in the eyes of his delusional supporters, this would not only save the party from self-inflicted destruction but see Johnson back as PM as well.

Losing the plot

The ‘bring back Boris’ proposition may have seemed like a good one on paper, but the plot has hit a snag. That snag comes in the shape of Caroline Newton, recently selected by the party to stand in the Henley constituency. Johnson’s plotters may have assumed that she would simply step aside to make way for the ‘Big Dog’, but Newton was having none of it.

Conservative Prospective Candidate for Henley Caroline Newton, on the idea of standing aside for Boris Johnson, tells LBC: “Absolutely not… the idea that a woman would step aside for a man to take a job that he just fancies is absurd” @LBC @TomSwarbrick1

— Natasha Clark (@NatashaC) March 11, 2024

When asked on LBC whether she would consider making way for Johnson, Newton said, “Absolutely not”. She added that “the idea that a woman should step aside for a man to take a job that he just fancies is absurd. And it’s certainly not something I’m going to do”. Newton also pointed out that she has been a candidate representing the local communities, as a councillor, for a decade and if asked, would say “thank you for the thought, but no thank you”.

According to Johnson, the qualities needed to be a good MP for Henley are a willingness to listen and patience – neither of which anyone who has ever met him, watched him or listened to him would suggest he possesses. He described the people of Henley as “the nicest, kindest, most wonderful and indeed eccentric people in Britain”. As a newly re-registered overseas voter in the Henley constituency, I’ll take that – and most everything Johnson has to say – with a very large bucket of salt.

Above all, said Johnson, “the quality you need to represent the people of Henley is to be a Conservative”. But what, exactly, does being “a Conservative” even mean anymore? Not what it once did, that’s for sure, and certainly not what the electorate regard as a vote-winner, whether you live in Henley or Halifax.

Still, not to worry, Boris. I’m sure the Reform UK Party would welcome you with open arms, and you’d feel right at home. Perhaps they’ll even let you run in Henley. You have, after all, done untold damage to the Conservative Party, and the country, already. So why not break the habit of a lifetime and finish what you started?

A new Frontex border deal aimed at reducing the number of small boat Channel crossings has been agreed between the UK and the EU. With both the opposition and the government now actively seeking closer ties and better cooperation with Europe on a number of issues, has Britain taken its first steps towards rejoining the EU?

The new Frontex deal

The new deal will see UK’s Border Force cooperating more closely with European border agency, Frontex, on matters of training, intelligence and the implementation of new operations and technology. The deal was signed on Friday in London by European Home Affairs Commissioner, Ylva Johansson and Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly.

Cleverly described the “landmark working arrangement” as “another crucial step in tackling illegal migration, securing our borders and stopping the boats”. The foreign secretary also said it was part of the government’s plan to “break the model of the smuggling gangs”. He admitted that people smuggling was one of a number of “global challenges that require shared solutions and ambitions”. Well, quite – the list of issues requiring better cooperation with our neighbours is a long one.

Illegal migration and people smuggling is a global problem and one we’re committed to solving.

Today I met with @YlvaJohansson for the signing of a landmark deal with Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, to tackle illegal migration and people smuggling. pic.twitter.com/QKBBkLwesa

— James Cleverly🇬🇧 (@JamesCleverly) February 23, 2024

Labour want to reset relations

Despite his insistence that Labour can make Brexit work, Keir Starmer has been keen to improve relations with Brussels. It would appear that the EU are also keen to work with a new Labour government and are set to offer a reset of post-Brexit relations if Starmer wins the general election.

A review of the existing UK/EU trade and cooperation agreement (TCA) is scheduled for 2026, presenting an opportunity for a closer trading partnership. Although any new arrangement would exclude rejoining the single market or customs union – both ruled out by Starmer – a closer deal could help businesses to import and export food and cars. Although Brussels have insisted that the review of the TCA will only be a technical process designed to ensure the agreement is working properly, there appears to be some room for manoeuvre.

🚨🌹🇪🇺

EU set to offer a Brexit olive branch to Labour if Starmer becomes PM

European leaders are eyeing 2026 review of the existing trade deal as an opportunity to reset relations with the UK

Story @theipaper: https://t.co/Y18XNMg4F1

— Hugo Gye (@HugoGye) February 22, 2024

A senior EU diplomat described the 2026 TCA review as “a big opportunity for Starmer, potentially”. He added that if there is “a political will to make real changes to the relationship then that will be extremely significant”. Another EU source suggested that Labour were looking at ways “it can get closer rather than further away from Europe”.

Shadow Cabinet Office Minister, Nick Thomas-Symonds said:

A promising start, but will it be enough?

Closing the gap

The latest deal with the EU is not the first time since Brexit that the government has sought improved cooperation with our European neighbours. Others include an agreement last year with the French government to boost British/French law-enforcement cooperation. Nor is it the first time the EU and UK have discussed working more closely together to solve the small boats crisis – PM Rishi Sunak met with European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen in this regard last May.

A big move towards closer ties with Europe came last year when the UK agreed to rejoin the Horizon Europe programme – the EU’s key funding programme for research and development, with a budget of €95.5bn euros. Having left the scheme in 2021 thanks to Brexit, the UK will now contribute €2.43bn euros a year to the scheme, plus an additional €154mn euros for membership of the Copernicus earth observation programme.

DEAL DONE: The UK is joining Horizon Europe.

Following negotiations with @EU_Commission, UK scientists will now have access to the world’s largest research and innovation programme on better terms for British taxpayers.

It’s another step to grow the economy. Here’s why ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/IjkXpsKk0a

— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) September 7, 2023

Scientists and researchers will be the main beneficiaries in the case of Horizon Europe. Other industries, such as car and food manufacturers, must wait and hope that future discussions will prove as fruitful for them. Meanwhile, calls for action for other sectors like the music industry, and demands for a UK return to the Erasmus education programme, are gathering momentum.

In reality, it’s difficult to think of any UK industry that wouldn’t benefit from closer European ties, less bureaucracy and a more cooperative approach. Especially, perhaps, in the event of a Trump return in the US. But, is each new deal, each new arrangement, a step closer towards Europe? In the minds of our politicians, probably not – at least not for now.

New government, new attitude?

The incoming government will be faced with a myriad of issues, conflicting priorities and a mountain of debt. A new attitude towards Europe will be both desirable and welcomed by UK businesses, who according to Labour, want “a government that won’t try and pick fights”. No doubt that’s true, but surely businesses also want a strong economy, a removal of trade barriers, and the ability to hire European workers. They want to be part of a prosperous, outward-looking country with European values, and tinkering around the edges – welcome as that is – will never be enough to completely turn around the country’s fortunes.

Rejoining the EU was never going to be an easy or speedy prospect, and one that the government wish to avoid at all costs. The Conservatives have done all they can – though not as much as they would have hoped – to distance the UK from the EU and make it more difficult to reverse Brexit. But they have failed. They have lost business and public support, caused untold economic damage, and been caught out in their Brexit lies.

In a global world, the UK cannot go it alone – a fact that even our isolationist government is having to accept. Step by step, we are closing the gap between London and Brussels, rebuilding damaged bridges and trust. It’s a journey that will require courage, determination and a fresh perspective. Let’s hope our new government are intrepid travellers with EU passports!

The Home Office has launched a campaign with the slogan ‘Stop! Think Fraud’ aimed at helping the public “spot fraud” and protect themselves from its “devastating impacts”. According to the government website, the campaign is backed by “leading counter fraud experts uniting under one voice to provide consistent, clear and robust advice”.

The impact of fraud can be heartbreaking, they don’t just steal your money; they steal your sense of security.

Stop! Think Fraud, is our new campaign to help you spot fraud, protect yourself and seek help if you need it.

🔗 https://t.co/vLfMyZrCVy pic.twitter.com/BFarVtApMg

— James Cleverly🇬🇧 (@JamesCleverly) February 12, 2024

On the one hand, it’s comforting to hear that our government is prepared to listen to experts once more. But it rather raises the question, where were these experts when questions were being asked of government ministers regarding questionable PPE contracts?

The ‘Stop! Think Fraud’ campaign

Of all recorded crimes committed in England and Wales, fraud accounts for 40% of the total, with an estimated 3.2 million offences each year, according to government statistics. The cost of that fraud is estimated at £6.8bn in England and Wales alone. While that’s not an insignificant figure, and deserves some government attention, it’s small fry compared to the £100bn hit to UK exports revealed in the latest analysis of Brexit damage. But don’t hold your breath waiting for a government campaign designed at fixing that problem.

The government anticipates that its anti-fraud campaign “will be seen by 95% of adults in the UK” over the coming weeks thanks to blanket coverage on radio, TV, social media and billboards. Home Secretary James Cleverly said the “bold” fraud strategy will continue to “deliver for the British people”. A bold, new strategy? Perhaps. A tired old idiom? Most definitely.

Security Minister Tom Tugendhat added, “This new campaign will share the details we all need to defend ourselves and our friends”. Perhaps, in some future anti-crime campaign, he’ll be suggesting a similar approach to defending ourselves against muggers or burglars. Sounds, to me, rather like ‘you’re on your own!’

Oliver Dowden claims the Government is making "real progress" on tackling fraud. In fact it quadrupled under Rishi Sunak to £21 billion. #pmqs https://t.co/IN2rCfwD39

— Adam Bienkov (@AdamBienkov) June 7, 2023

Fraud in the name of Covid

In Cleverly’s video, he claims fraud has been cut by 13% in England and Wales over the last year. Within 24 hours, that claim had already been challenged on social media as “misleading”, as the police had reported a 15% increase in fraud.  Not only that, but the rate of fraud has increased by 128% when compared with September 2013.

As for the government themselves, perhaps they could also focus on issues much closer to home, such as the long-running National Crime Agency investigation into allegations of fraud and bribery faced by Conservative peer Michelle Mone and her husband.

The prime minister himself has also been under scrutiny in regard to his actions during the pandemic. In June 2023, a report revealed that government losses to fraud had quadrupled, under the then chancellor Rishi Sunak, from £5.5bn to £21bn, according to the Commons Public Accounts Committee.

HM Revenue and Customs – the direct responsibility of Sunak – suffered enormously due to this rise in fraud, thanks to £97bn being spent on the pandemic furlough scheme, the bounce back loan scheme and the disastrous ‘Eat out to Help Out’ scheme. While some efforts have been made to recover the £4.9bn lost to fraud and error from the bounce back loan scheme alone, only limited amounts have been recovered to date. Judging by recent events, Sunak’s judgment has not improved with advancement. Neither has his knowledge of balancing the books, it would seem.

£21bn 💷🔥https://t.co/laMVp4Niw8

— Alex Richards (@AlxdrRchrds) February 12, 2024

Last year, a National Audit Office report revealed the staggering increase – almost fourfold – in public money being lost to fraud since the beginning of the pandemic – money that is unlikely to ever be fully recovered. Not only is that money long gone, but the government is keeping very quiet on the subject. While the wrongdoings of some government colleagues seemingly go unpunished, the general public are facing ever tougher sentences for much lesser crimes.

“Nobody is immune from fraud”, the government campaign tells us. Some in high places are, it would seem, a little more immune than others.

A reminder that if we were as tough on tax evasion/PPE Fraud as shoplifting.

Nadhim Zahawi would've received 80 years in jail, and Michelle Mone 6000 years.

— BladeoftheSun (@BladeoftheS) February 5, 2024

Stop! Think Fraud

In Cleverly’s promotional video he promises to “not let fraudsters in”, encourages us to “protect ourselves” and advises us to “take a minute to stop and think fraud”. Sound advice! Let’s make sure to repeat it often in the run-up to the election.

What a feast of delusion and desperation we witnessed at the launch of yet another Conservative splinter group last week. The Popular Conservatives, or PopCon, is another attempt by people formerly known as Conservatives to force their America-adapted, far-right populist, totalitarian ideas on the country, this time under the banner of ‘popular Conservatism’. There’s nothing popular or conservative about them.

The record holder for the shortest premiership in UK history was the star of the show. Liz Truss arrived to rapturous applause. Her fiscal policies and uncosted tax cuts almost crashed our economy, forcing the Bank of England to take emergency measures to save pensions. She cost the country billions and caused interest rate rises that have so far cost homeowners over £300bn in higher mortgage payments.

Yet Truss reaps rich rewards and is invited to speak at events as if she’s an economics guru. It would be unthinkable at any other time, but these are no ordinary times. Failing spectacularly seems to be the Conservative brand now. And it is failing our country.

The true secret Conservatives

Truss said “Britain is full of secret Conservatives – people who agree with us but don’t want to admit it.” The Conservative Foundation website states that the “Conservative Party has always stood for personal liberty, democracy, and the rule of law.” But your personal liberty to stand up for the environment, LGBTQ+ rights, human rights, international law, and the right to asylum doesn’t exist in their vision of Britain. Democracy and the rule of law are seen as nothing but irritants holding Conservatives back by the capacity to hold them to account.

You don’t have to look hard for evidence that today’s Conservative Party is nothing like it was. Look at the crackdown on the fundamental right to protest through the Public Order Bill, which has been criticised globally. Witness their attacks on the independence of the Electoral Commission, which experts warn is part of an alarming trend of watering down and undermining trust in British democracy.

See also voter gerrymandering, or attacks on British institutions, lawyers, civil servants, celebrities, ‘experts’, unions, and our world-renowned judiciary. And, of course, breaking international law over the doomed Rwanda policy. Such actions are blatantly totalitarian in nature and have nothing to do with ‘popular conservatism’.

Truss says democracy has become “unfashionable” among the young

She may be confusing democracy with conservatism

Truss says Britain is full of “secret conservatives”- again echoing Bennism. The voters are there really, they just have to be inspired with a true ideology.

— Lewis Goodall (@lewis_goodall) February 6, 2024

When Truss refers to “secret conservatives”, she means those who support these attacks on our institutions. Those who think foreigners, minorities, the LGBTQ+ community, and anyone ‘different’ (from them) should be tolerated only as long as they stay in their box and don’t make a fuss. She appeals to the worst impulses in us.

Modern McCarthyism

You don’t need to be a racist, bigot, or xenophobe, though all would find a natural home here. Sadly, many who fall for this narrative have been made to feel angry or fearful. They feel they and their communities have been left behind and that politicians put others in society before them. This part, at least, is genuine: those who attended PopCon do only care about a tiny section of society. The con is making the masses believe it’s them, when all the evidence suggests they only care about themselves and those at the top of the food chain.

In the late 1940s and throughout the 1950s, Senator Joseph McCarthy ran a campaign of political repression and persecution of leftwing people, spreading fear and hysteria regarding alleged communist and Soviet influence on American institutions. Lives and reputations were ruined, and people were wrongly imprisoned. It was a dangerous and shameful era with enduring repercussions, and is often cited as an example of how unfounded fears can compromise or destroy civil liberties.

The primary targets for persecution were government employees, prominent figures in the entertainment industry, academics, leftwing politicians, and labour union activists. Sound familiar?

LGBTQ+, climate change and social justice activists are "left-wing extremists" in disguise, UK politician Liz Truss has claimed. Truss, who in 2022 became the most unpopular Prime Minister in UK history, made the comments at the launch event of the "Popular Conservativism"… pic.twitter.com/J5Wad7qCBz

— red. (@redstreamnet) February 6, 2024

The true net zero zealots

In addition to Truss’ comments above, we’ve heard other ‘Conservatives’ talk of the “blob”, the “wokerati”, “metropolitan elites”. It’s nothing new, just different terminology. Such a shame we human beings forget our history, and that our nature leaves us open to manipulation by ‘fear of the other’ or things we don’t understand. It’s the root cause of many of the world’s ills. Just think how many governments currently use ‘others’ to create a climate of fear.

Populists say they represent the people, the will of the people, the common folk, or the silent majority. “Hardworking families”. This is the biggest and most necessary con of all. They themselves are the elites they loudly rally against.

They don’t, as they claim, want to row back on net zero to save households money. The fossil fuels industry made average profits of $2.8bn per day over the last 50 years. Of course those companies want that to continue. They feed some of those billions-per-day into ‘think tanks’, lobbyists, and political donations to ensure it. They can afford to.

It’s well documented that the organiser and some attendees of PopCon have links to climate change denial organisations and the fossil fuels industry. Is it any wonder they hosted politicians who attacked net zero policies, and handed out leaflets calling for an end to “net zero zealotry”?

Holding Britain back

The wholesale price of electricity is set under the ‘marginal cost pricing system’ by the most expensive method needed to meet demand (usually burning gas). If your renewable unit of energy was 50% of the cost of a unit produced by gas, you’d still pay the gas price unit. It’s not a ‘green tax’ that’s keeping your energy prices high.

Renewables are cheaper; the government admits this, and there is ample evidence. Yet anti-net zero radicals would apparently prefer that the country be held to ransom by authoritarian regimes like Russia and Saudi Arabia. And to be vulnerable to volatile supply chains and prices, and the world events adding to that volatility.

A green industrial revolution is underway and is not going anywhere. It will provide highly skilled and secure jobs, boost the country’s economy, and protect the planet. Countries are racing to take advantage of and consolidate the new technologies required. Yet Truss, Jacob Rees-Mogg, and their ilk want the UK to sit back and allow other countries to win this race; to hold Britain back. Why, and to whose benefit? Certainly not for that of this country or its citizens!

Rees-Mogg attacks the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), judges, and the “international elite”. To stop your country falling to the far right, fascism, or totalitarianism, constitutional checks and balances including domestic and international law protect the people and the nation. This is why today’s ‘Conservatives’ make such attacks.

A true Conservative would be aghast, but these are far right populists. Their very behaviour establishes that. Law and its institutions hold them back from creating a society in which total control and power lie in the hands of the few to benefit the few.

Jacob Rees-Mogg didn't just attack the system of an independent judiciary, he attacked the judges themselves:

"Judges are getting it wrong. They are tied into this international elite".

This is shameful and dangerous intimidation of the UK judiciary and legal profession. pic.twitter.com/Xg0Yhg9MY8

— Adam Schwarz (@AdamJSchwarz) February 6, 2024

Populist Conservatives: a populist con

They identify an enemy, always a minority – refugees, asylum seekers, trans people, or, these days, climate change protesters – building anger and fear around such groups, which they say are dangerous to society, ‘the family’, and the country. They portray judges as enemies, and tell the public they can’t protect them because unreasonable laws prevent it and lawyers are ‘on the left’. It’s absurd, of course. The law can only be applied as it’s written, and lawyers are duty-bound to be unbiased.

A globally trading democracy can’t function as such if not bound by international agreements and laws, with a robust domestic legal system. Unless you want to be like North Korea, and maybe Rees-Mogg does?

If you think leaving the ECHR is a good idea, or want to abandon human rights because you think it’ll only affect asylum seekers, ask yourself: would Popular Conservatives stop there? Which rights are you willing to give up so a few people can be sent to Rwanda unlawfully?

Richard Murphy sums up Truss and the Popular Conservatives perfectly in his blog, Funding the Future. “This is, then, an agenda that explicitly permits the powerful with a grudge to abuse anyone they wish with impunity. And anything that gets in the way, like democratic government and the rule of law, must be vilified or abolished.”

Please, don’t help make them popular, or let them con you into believing otherwise.