Key Points from the Crisis:
Revolution Vanishes: Boris Johnson's "revolution" - including plans to target the civil service, BBC, and push for lower taxes - is fading amidst the Coronavirus pandemic. Brexit, already strained, now faces an uncertain timeline.
Covid-19 Impact: The crisis significantly alters the political landscape. The government's focus shifts towards healthcare funding, with potential changes in industrial policies and support for national champions.
Community Renewal: The invisible hand of Covid-19 guides society towards community renewal, suggesting a shift away from individualism and towards collective efforts. This includes strengthening arguments for a universal income and better protection for gig workers and the less fortunate.
Ideological Shift: The traditional liberal approach, inspired by figures like Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan, is challenged. The UK's response to the crisis involves significant state intervention, indicating a move away from neoliberal ideals towards more state involvement in economic sectors such as manufacturing, technology, pharmaceuticals, and farming.
Economic and Political Lessons: The crisis underscores the limitations of endless sacrifice without consideration of post-crisis benefits. It suggests the need for a "generation compact," potentially addressing sustainable employment, affordable housing, and climate change mitigation.
Political Implications: The crisis presents a unique moment for political realignment, with traditionally conservative parties adopting more progressive measures, akin to Labour's approach in the past. Uncertainties around Brexit, Scottish independence, and Bojo's future leadership persist, indicating a period of significant political change.