UK Prime MInister Rishi Sunak and Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni at the G7 summit, Puglia, Italy, June 13, 2024

The UK’s Election is Ignoring Poverty

I joined India’s WION on Thursday to analyze the similarities and differences in the forthcoming national elections in the UK and France.

Watch from 4:51:

I note that in both countries, long-ruling governments are at risk of defeat with parties facing a decline or even collapse in support.

However, the differences are essential: the main challenger in the UK case is in the center, while in France the threat is from the far right. And Britain, unlike France, is sagging under the burden of Brexit with little prospect of recovery.

The real difference between the UK and France: do we see a far-right party — with all the problems that that poses in dividing society, in introducing hate speech into it — finally winning the French Presidency?

I also correct the media narrative on a “far right surge” across Europe, reviewing the patchwork result across the Continent in last week’s elections.

See also EA on Times Radio: Explaining “Patchwork” Outcome of Europe’s Elections