With the UK due to vote later this week, Labour party leader Keir Starmer has a precious vase problem. He has campaigned on the precautionary principle of not dropping his lead in the polls. But experienced hands in government are now warning him that he should actually shed some votes to govern better, should he be installed in Downing Street at the end of the week.
Jonathan Powell, who was chief of staff under former Labour prime minister Tony Blair, confided last week that the entry into power is filled with pitfalls, describing his own early experiences in 1997 as a “post-euphoria and pre-delivery” trap.
In other words, there is a great danger of an immediate loss of momentum as the adjustment to party of government takes place.
Chris Patten, the former Conservative party chairman, offered the same advice from the other end of the spectrum, saying that he understands why Mr Starmer feels he has to get over the finish line without spilling his cargo at the last minute.
Live updates: Follow the latest news on the UK general election
But, according to Mr Patten, the “horrible problems” the UK faces mean that Mr Starmer should start showing the people the tough medicine he will need to administer. Otherwise, Mr Pattern thinks, people will come out of the election with expectations being higher than his government could possibly meet.
Mr Powell’s recommendation, one that was backed by the eminent pollster John Curtice, was that Mr Starmer finds time to make a keynote address in the final week, making plain what his government would be about. That would be a radical departure for a leadership that has been iron-willed in holding to its campaign strategy of making no second guesses on the outcome of the election.
For Starmer, the challenge of winning power cannot be said to match the intensity of facing the big decisions once ensconced in Downing Street
The National’s own poll of UK voters showed that Labour has 42 per cent support while the Conservatives are on 20 per cent. Mr Curtice, in his remarks, said there was no hope of a Conservative comeback. In fact, he said that the electoral system was likely to over-reward the Labour party with parliamentary seats and punish the Conservatives. That is because the right is divided like never before since the rise of the Reform UK party.
WhatsApp communities that promote tactical voting against the Conservatives have emerged in recent weeks. These have boosted the chances of Labour and the other main opposition parties.
One scenario to look out for on Friday morning, once the votes have been counted, is whether the Liberal Democrats have roughly half the Conservative national vote share but a higher number of MPs, as is expected. This would make Ed Davey, a man who has so far campaigned by making outlandish stunts like falling repeatedly into a lake his main selling point, the official leader of the opposition.
People are talking about the election having a systemic impact. This is not least because there are five parties running candidates in nearly every seat. Comparisons are also being made with the eclipse of the Liberal Party by Labour in 1922.
In its findings, The National poll has made clear that the next government will be confronted with foreign policy issues, with some hard choices for it to make. These are not being reflected in a campaign that has seen exchanges on immigration and sewage in rivers.
Mr Powell points out that the first tasks of the new government will be dominated by questions on foreign affairs. In the first week, there will be a Nato leaders’ summit in Washington. Making the right points on Ukraine will be expected of the new team.
A week later, the UK will host the European Political Community summit at Blenheim Palace. Our poll demonstrated that there is strong support for the UK to re-join the EU by a margin of 46 per cent to 37 per cent, a double-digit gap.
It also showed that there was a groundswell of pressure for a change of direction on the Middle East and, in particular, the Palestine-Israel conflict. A demand for an immediate ceasefire (62 per cent support), followed by banning arms sales to Israel (54 per cent) and recognising an independent state of Palestine (45 per cent) all polled strongly. It is significant, too, that 32 per cent of respondents identified Gaza as an important issue for voters, a figure that rose above 50 per cent among voters aged under 34.
Those are the kinds of big decisions that swirl fluidly in front of a new government. With a mandate that allows for real domestic reforms, it can gain some breathing space from the daily pressures and the hot topics that arise.
The election campaign has, so far, managed to obscure the big-picture topics that are unaltered by what happens when the votes are cast. That is why Mr Powell worries that the new government must have a 100-day plan to accommodate these fundamental choices as well as the summits and timetables.
For Mr Starmer, the challenge of winning power cannot be said to match the intensity of facing the big decisions once ensconced in Downing Street. That’s why a big speech now would give him a sounder platform to govern.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher: Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
INFO
Everton 0
Arsenal 0
Man of the Match: Djibril Sidibe (Everton)
((Disclaimer))
The Liechtensteinische Landesbank AG (“Bank”) assumes no liability or guarantee for the accuracy, balance, or completeness of the information in this publication. The content may change at any time due to given circumstances, and the Liechtensteinische Landesbank AG is under no obligation to update information once it has been published. This publication is intended for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer, a recommendation or an invitation by, or on behalf of, Liechtensteinische Landesbank (DIFC Branch), Liechtensteinische Landesbank AG, or any of its group affiliates to make any investments or obtain services. This publication has not been reviewed, disapproved or approved by the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”) Central Bank, Dubai Financial Services Authority (“DFSA”) or any other relevant licensing authorities in the UAE. It may not be relied upon by or distributed to retail clients. Liechtensteinische Landesbank (DIFC Branch) is regulated by the DFSA and this advertorial is intended for Professional Clients (as defined by the DFSA) who have sufficient financial experience and understanding of financial markets, products or transactions and any associated risks.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Points classification after Stage 4
1. Arnaud Demare (France / FDJ) 124
2. Marcel Kittel (Germany / Quick-Step) 81
3. Michael Matthews (Australia / Sunweb) 66
4. Andre Greipel (Germany / Lotto) 63
5. Alexander Kristoff (Norway / Katusha) 43
Sustainable Development Goals
1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation
10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects
14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development
India Test squad
Kohli (c), Dhawan, Rahul, Vijay, Pujara, Rahane (vc), Karun, Karthik (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Ashwin, Jadeja, Kuldeep, Pandya, Ishant, Shami, Umesh, Bumrah, Thakur
TOUCH RULES
Touch is derived from rugby league. Teams consist of up to 14 players with a maximum of six on the field at any time.
Teams can make as many substitutions as they want during the 40 minute matches.
Similar to rugby league, the attacking team has six attempts - or touches - before possession changes over.
A touch is any contact between the player with the ball and a defender, and must be with minimum force.
After a touch the player performs a “roll-ball” - similar to the play-the-ball in league - stepping over or rolling the ball between the feet.
At the roll-ball, the defenders have to retreat a minimum of five metres.
A touchdown is scored when an attacking player places the ball on or over the score-line.
Walls
Louis Tomlinson
3 out of 5 stars
(Syco Music/Arista Records)
Confirmed%20bouts%20(more%20to%20be%20added)
%3Cp%3ECory%20Sandhagen%20v%20Umar%20Nurmagomedov%0D%3Cbr%3ENick%20Diaz%20v%20Vicente%20Luque%0D%3Cbr%3EMichael%20Chiesa%20v%20Tony%20Ferguson%0D%3Cbr%3EDeiveson%20Figueiredo%20v%20Marlon%20Vera%0D%3Cbr%3EMackenzie%20Dern%20v%20Loopy%20Godinez%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ETickets%20for%20the%20August%203%20Fight%20Night%2C%20held%20in%20partnership%20with%20the%20Department%20of%20Culture%20and%20Tourism%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20went%20on%20sale%20earlier%20this%20month%2C%20through%20www.etihadarena.ae%20and%20www.ticketmaster.ae.%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
