This is not complex.
Through a global lens, however, the struggles of Trudeau and his centre-left Liberal Party look far from a specifically Canadian phenomenon. Across the Western world, left-wing parties are struggling for relevance as the populist right surges in popularity.
First, he points to the economy: specifically, high inflation and declining living standards. Surging prices after the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have made life difficult for incumbents around the world, regardless of their disposition. But some right-wing leaders – like Giorgia Meloni in Italy and Javier Milei in Argentina – stand out for achieving political success in this environment.
Second, Switzer lists rising hostility to mass migration. Anger at unauthorised arrivals across the US southern border helped Trump return to the White House and a backlash to migration has driven support for populist parties in Europe. This includes Germany, which is still grappling with former chancellor Angela Merkel’s decision to allow 1 million asylum seekers to enter Germany a decade ago.
…Third, Switzer argues there is a brewing backlash to ambitious climate change policies favoured by progressive governments. As well as cutting migration, the German far-right AfD is campaigning against renewable energy and Canadian Conservative Party leader Poilievre has vowed to scrap Trudeau’s carbon tax.
Finally, Switzer identifies resistance to left-wing identity politics – including on issues such as race and transgender rights. “People are over the victimhood mentality that has been part of progressive politics,” he argues.
That about sums it up. The global Left is what MB describes as the Fake Left:
- It has no interest in class politics.
- Speaks the language of progressive elites not working class people.
- Seeks open borders with which to smash working class living standards.
- Ignores the costs of climate change mitigation for workers.
- And it uses culture wars to muzzle opposition.
What is Left about any of that? Nothing. It is a far-right agenda.
The rise of the Populist Right is not the answer, either. It loves all of the above policies but it cynically uses the language of the working classes to hoodwink them into thinking it is of the people.
But it sure isn’t for the people. See, for instance, Trump’s policies on corporate tax cuts, fake immigration curbs (substituted by mass visa expansion), tariffs to lift the costs of everyday goods, and the erosion of democratic norms.
In Australia, the problem is similar. The ALP and LNP are also a unity platform of immigration-led, gas cartel-captured, housing bubble, anti-reform national destruction.
But the LNP is charging back into contention because its pretend nationalist culture war is more popular than the ALP’s focus on minority rights.
The Fake Right also has the advantage of being less hypocritical than the Fake Left. Its policies are, at least, on the side of politics that they claim to be.
The criminal is always preferable to the corrupt cop.
However, the unity ticket is designed to make vested-interest corporations and their political lackies richer while making you poorer.
