London Bridge is...Shaking?

By Kael the Sapiocrat


As if the waters across the pond weren't troubled enough.

On April 18, British Prime Minister Theresa May made an unexpected move which is sure to make the European drama even more interesting. In an effort to solidify the authority of the Tories in Parliament during the country's exit from the European Union, the Prime Minister called for a general election to take place in a little less than 50 days -- a far cry from the scheduled 2020 elections that was expected by the Fixed-Terms Parliament Act of 2011. Her argument? This would legitimize their authority on the Brexit process and reaffirm to the government that the will of the People remains clear on the issue. Sounds like just another fine example of the democratic process, right?

Yes and no.

In principle, this is a completely democratic move. Deferring the establishment of legitimacy to the People and seeking support from the public during this time of transformative change is the very definition of democracy. If any free nation on earth should know the importance of legitimizing leaders to make such crucial decisions. Anyone that is familiar with the art of statecraft would see the underlying purpose and benefits supporting the Prime Minister's call for another general election. However, they would also do well to see the drawbacks that this would incur.

Conservatives may lose seats in Parliament. The 2015 general election gave the Conservative Party a 52-seat majority in Parliament, thereby winning Her Majesty's permission for the party to set up a government. Since that election, however, Europe has undergone a series of nationalist movements sparked by international contingencies including immigration reform and economic development. These movements, particularly in the United Kingdom, have provided a platform for other parties (such as the UKIP, Green and Liberal Democrats) to solicit strong support from the public to remain a part of the European Union. If Conservatives use the last two years as a platform for their efforts going forward into the election, it is possible that we could see some shift in power -- however large or small it may be.

This adds fuel to the SNP's campaign to leave the United Kingdom. The Scottish National Party has virtually solidified their grip on power in Edinburgh. While simple rumors of British withdrawal from the EU, Scotland's government made it perfectly clear that it did not support the measure and that it will remain a part of the Union -- even if that meant re-initiating another attempt at an independence referendum that failed in 2014.

Whatever happens in June, I believe that the United Kingdom is headed for the most dramatic change in social and economic spheres in generations. There isn't much to speculate then what has been speculated and proven already. But I can guarantee to you that I -- along with millions in other nations -- will be keeping an eye on this election with a magnifying glass.

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