UK elections: the war of the leaders

News Mondays - Jérémie Bongiovanni

On December 12, the British will elect a new parliament. The main issue at stake is obviously Brexit, but other issues such as the healthcare system will play a decisive role in the debates. What seems to be most decisive for the outcome of this vote, however, are the personalities at the head of the main parties.

According to the latest polls, the Tories (Conservative party) led by Boris are with 359 seats out of 650, compared with 317 in previous elections. The Labour Party, led by Jeremy Corbin Jeremy Corbin would win 211 seats, compared with 262 at present. The country's third political force, the Liberal Democrats and their leader Jo and their leader Jo Swinson, are expected to play the referee, winning around thirty seats. seats.

What characterizes this campaign so far, more than Brexit or financial aid to the health care system, are indeed the leaders of the three main parties mentioned above. Just as the 2016 Brexit vote was largely a vote on the then Prime Minister, David Cameron, this election seems to focus on the divisive personalities that are the leaders of the major parties.

Read also: Theresa May, the UK's heroine

The question for many Britons is not which character they like, but which one they dislike the most. The reasons for this dislike of a candidate can be divided into two categories: on the one hand, the policies they pursue; on the other, their own personality.

Boris Johnson, the enfant terrible

While he represents an English elite that oozes insolence, the current Prime Minister wants to be close to the people and take care of his image. His activity on social networks testifies to his efforts: between spontaneous-looking explanatory videos and a scene where he builds a brick wall, equipped with a trowel and cement, everything seems to work to seduce British voters.

61% of Britons consider Boris Johnson is incompetent and 55% define him as untrustworthy. trustworthy. However, 54% consider him determined and 51% courageous. These surveys reflect the image of this colorful character you want to hate right after you've found him great.

The parties are well aware that the Conservative figurehead of the Conservative party can be its greatest weakness. While his his personal image is better than Jeremy Corbin's, Labour began began their undermining last week with a personal attack on Boris Johnson, reminding attacking Boris Johnson personally and recalling his language excesses, particularly sexist. The Liberal Democrats went so far as to publish a list of the Prime Minister's on the. If we doubted that this campaign was based on ideas, we now have the answer. the answer to that question.

Jeremy Corbyn

For his part, the Labour leader is in a much worse position. worse position. His party, which once fought to win, is now fighting to avoid a disgrace. He is probably the best argument argument for the Conservative party, which is focusing its campaign on the danger the danger of the Labour candidate running the country.

65% of Britons consider Jeremy Corbyn incompetent; only 15% define him as determined. And when the net sum of voters in favor of his election is taken, he scores -41%, while Boris Johnson is at -6%.

Since Corbyn was elected leader of the Labour Party, many accusations of anti-Semitism were brought against the party. This dark side of leader of the left does enormous damage to the party and makes the man a prime target for his political opponents.

The risk of a paralyzed parliament

If these elections are to take place, it's because Boris Johnson didn't have the majority needed to carry out his Brexit program. The Conservative party's slogan in the current campaign: «Get Brexit done». The Tories are offering voters another option: that of a paralyzed parliament once again. This threat seems to be convincing many Brits, despite the figure of the Prime Minister pushing them away.

Those who would like to try to limit the strength of a Conservative government without paralyzing parliament will vote for the Liberal Democrats and their ambitious leader, Jo Swinson, who is who is unfortunately still little known. The last two weeks of the campaign will therefore be be marked by further personal attacks aimed at strengthening or weakening the Conservative majority. In addition, the themes of immigration and crime, strangely sidelined in the campaign until now, came to the fore in the wake of last Friday's terrorist attack in London.

Write to the author: jeremie.bongiovanni@leregardlibre.com