The pandemic forced governments from both sides of the political divide to support a bigger state and massive spending to sustain livelihoods and companies. Despite this political convergence divisions in society are deep and profound with many feeling disenfranchised by a political system that seemingly offers no radical change.
Is this convergence a short-term blip and soon parties on the left and right will form new agendas and give voice to dissent? Or is the current convergence not temporary but an inevitable result of democracy, as the need to win majorities forces both sides into the centre? Or are we seeing the transition to a new form of politics altogether in which traditional notions of left and right are abandoned?
#PeterMandelson #EllaWhelan #PeterLilley
Legendary Labour politician and strategist Peter Mandelson, conservative former Cabinet Minister Peter Lilley, Spiked editor Ella Whelan and writer Paul Mason clash over the state of politics today. Rana Mitter hosts.
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