The Right Dishonourable

Although we have heard no more about the constitutional committee due this month, the Conservative government is about to make good on another manifesto promise. A bill published yesterday will repeal the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act (FTPA), seeking to restore the prime minister’s right to call an election through the royal prerogative.

While it tilted towards broader constitutional reform, the act’s narrower aim was to guarantee a five-year lifespan for the coalition government. This is about the only thing that its critics agree it achieved, scepticism abounding even before the parliamentary shenanigans of 2019. Even so, this reform looks retrograde.

Ever since the Scottish independence referendum in 2014 the prospect of north Britain breaking away from its southern neighbours has loomed large in Westminster politics. This is despite the fact that a healthy majority of 55.3% voted for Scotland to remain in the United Kingdom.

There are several causes for this. At the top is the fact the Scottish National Party (SNP) has used its control of the Holyrood administration to continue campaigning for independence despite rejection in a direct vote. Many have also leveraged the disparity between English and Scottish votes respectively for and against Brexit to justify a re-run.

I retain my respect for James O’Brien even though he continues to insult me. The talk show host has consistently alleged that as a leaver voter I was tricked into voting against my own interests by the conmen in the Vote Leave campaign.

The ‘false consciousness’ theory of voting has long been espoused by progressive campaigners frustrated that their conservative opponents prove more persuasive to the disadvantaged in society. The idea allows people to maintain their sense of righteousness, while also undermining the legitimacy of opposing viewpoints.