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There's a lot of debate on here today about how best to oppose populist leaders (say Trump and Johnson).
They both pose grave dangers to democracy and the rule of law. See eg https://twitter.com/redhistorian/status/1347883655918706688 1/10
They both pose grave dangers to democracy and the rule of law. See eg https://twitter.com/redhistorian/status/1347883655918706688 1/10
They both seek to manipulate facts and public opinion in similar ways (with the same people involved in their campaigns).
And they both have sufficient support to win, or nearly to win, elections. 2/
And they both have sufficient support to win, or nearly to win, elections. 2/
The opposition should, in my view, be looking to do two things. 3/
First, it needs to counter the populist narrative, exposing the lies and contradictions within it. It needs to seek to build an alternative narrative (based on diversity, inclusion and internationalism?) of its own. See https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/brexit/2020/02/25/power-for-powers-sake-johnsons-profoundly-alarming-premiership/ 4/
And second, it needs to do what it can, within the confines of the relevant national system, to win power. 5/
That involves a) persuading non-voters to vote, b) persuading Trump/Johnson supporters to switch allegiance, and c) working the electoral system to its advantage (in the UK, that surely involves cooperation between the various opposition parties). 6/
Persuading voters to switch allegiance is particularly difficult. They have, after all, chosen to support Trump/Johnson notwithstanding their record to date. They do not (yet) seem alert to the risks. 7/
Many will inevitably have (some) unpalatable views. Working out how best to appeal to them is no easy task. See https://twitter.com/syrpis/status/1347175644732534784 8/
While it should certainly not be the sole focus (see above) it is, I think, a necessary part of what the opposition has to do. The opposition (almost certainly) cannot win in the UK without the support of at least some of the 40% who still support Johnson. 9/
The more unpalatable their views - the further towards the right their 'line' is - the harder this task becomes. But, if winning power (and depriving the Trumps and Johnsons of power) is the goal, it is a task which must be faced. 10/10
