We might not rejoin, but the political momentum is now with those seeking a closer relationship. From a Brexiteer perspective, Johnson is sounding rather complacent.
The decision involves children, parents, schools and doctors, and has implications for rights, mental health, responsibilities and culture – as well as the management of a restive parliamentary party.
He may have less than a year, as Parliament returns and his Party’s conference looms, to persuade voters of his case – which he has scarcely even begun to make.
Ministers can do more now to further embed successful reforms and make our schools even stronger: by getting more into great trusts, and signing off another wave of free schools where they can shake things up.
A half-baked reform attempt would not only distract from his policies aimed at voters’ priorities, but actually make them harder to even pass.
Giving the green light to reviving the NILP could be a less-controversial way for Labour to organise in the Province. What could be more balanced than having two sister parties, one nationalist and one unionist?
The Opposition may be ahead in the polls, but on issue after issue the left finds itself on the back foot. But will the Government have the boldness to capitalise on this moment?
More Equalities Acts, non-dom bashing, some constitutional tinkering: these will be Starmer’s priorities, not making Britain more competitive.
The fact remains that the broad thrust of climate policy enjoys strong support from voters. YouGov polling shows that ULEZ is a rare example of an unpopular environmental measure.
Perhaps sticking up for Farage is a bridge too far, even for the former human rights lawyer. Perhaps it doesn’t seem worth picking that battle when there are more substantive policy disputes to win.
“I suspect the Labour Party is slowly coming to the realisation that winning the next election is not all it’s cracked up to be.”
If the Opposition take office next year they will inherit a very difficult situation. If MPs haven’t dipped their hands in the blood of a Starmerite programme, ill-discipline may be the result.
“I agree with the point that things need to change”. The Shadow Business Secretary points out the Health Service already delivers some things privately, such as GP services and pharmacists.
In his Parliament of Whores, PJ O’Rourke gave one section the stirring title “Our Government: What The F*** Do They Do All Day And Why Does It Cost So Goddamned Much Money?” But as my research confirmed in various ways, most voters do not see government primarily as an expensive nuisance.