UK politics has seen some big changes since last year’s general election. When you consider that more people didn’t vote than voted for the Conservatives, who despite this gained a majority, it’s no wonder that a sense of gloom welcomed May 8th, when the world woke to see the statistics pointing towards another five years of austerity.
When the Labour leadership election race began shortly afterwards, the eventual winner, Jeremy Corbyn, only made it on to the ballot in the nick of time, thanks to two nominations from people who believed in democracy – that there should be a true left wing alternative – more than they believed in his policies.
As Corbyn went on to win the leadership with a mandate of 59.5%, there was clear proof that if you treat democracy with the respect it deserves, people will respond with a passionate alliance with policies they believe in. The former dark horse of the competition has gone on to mobilise a movement by making the public aware of their individual importance among a collective, and letting the voices from the often ignored majority be heard.
The work he has done even stands up against the fact that he isn’t Prime Minister and, even in the best case scenario, won’t be for several years. The effect he has had even stands up against the unfair criticism he has received from the Tories and the majority of the press.
With Corbyn’s leadership came a group called Momentum, people who organise conferences and attend protests, and this group makes people aware that they can help bring about change, and that, despite Thatcher’s long lasting rhetoric, there is an alternative.
This movement is a powerful one, and one that’s reflecting a growing movement across Europe. Last July, Greece voted against further austerity measures, and at the end of last year, Spain, a typically two party country, failed to have a majority government after the rise of anti-austerity party Podemos saw them gain 20.7% of the vote, coming close third.
But the biggest change we’ve recently seen has been the rise of Bernie Sanders as he runs for America’s Democratic nomination against frontrunner Hilary Clinton. Among all the part-comedic, part-terrifying media coverage of Donald Trump, there has been a collected, reasoned voice, one that has managed to get young people, a demographic infamous for not voting, engaged with politics.
Like Corbyn, Sanders was an outsider, a dark horse, and also like his UK equivalent, the relative handful that supported him at the start have grown an unlikely candidate into a snowballing, unstoppable force. Whilst it is a force that began with Sanders, it is now one that is strong enough to exist on its own merit, and even if Sanders should not get the nomination or the presidency, it is now at a stage where the momentum will continue with or without him.
The speed with which Sanders’ campaign has gained ground is one of its most impressive aspects. As recently as December, polls showed Clinton to have a 23-point lead over him in Nevada, but come the caucus several days ago, his 47.3% lost only to her 52.6%. With support growing at this speed, Sanders is still in with a chance to clinch the nomination.
If he doesn’t get the nomination, the change he has been a part of remains unquestionable. Sanders has engaged those who did not previously show interest in politics, and made those who previously dreamed of a left-wing alternative truly believe in the possibility of one.
And if Sanders doesn’t win this presidency, it’s almost definite that he or another left-wing figure will be standing in 2020, after the movement has grown even more and the desire for an alternative is higher.
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