Ever since the economy began its spiralling plunge into disaster, the “it’s their fault not ours” blame game amongst those in power at Westminster and beyond, has kept pace with the staggering fall. No matter which prime minister happens to be steering the ship, or taking it closer to catastrophe on the jagged rocks, the fault for the cost-of-living crisis lies elsewhere. Entirely or at least partly culpable so far have been mad, bad, President Putin, the Covid pandemic, the EU, the global economy, the “coalition of chaos,” comprising Labour, the Lib Dems and the SNP, or even worse, the “anti-growth coalition”, which includes the political parties just mentioned, plus the militant unions, the – according to Liz Truss – “vested interests dressed up as think tanks”, Extinction Rebellion, and, in the unforgettable words of Suella Braverman, “the Guardian-reading, tofu-eating wokerati.” Even celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, who is alleged to have experimented with tofu in his cooking, but felt the wrath of the Tories for suggesting that the current free school meals scheme should be extended to more children living in poverty, is suspected of being part of the anti-growth coalition. He denies the accusation but has made no comment on the tofu. All of the above and virtually anyone opposed to post-Brexit planning are claimed to be dastardly plotters, deliberately derailing the dream of returning Great Britain to those green and pleasant lands of yesteryear and seeing the nation once more at the very centre of the world stage.

Therein lies the problem. From the government to the BBC, the “Brexit” word has become the great unmentionable. And the conspiracy of Brexit silence goes further. Labour leader Keir Starmer, no longer describes Brexit as a factor in the UK’s economic woes, but simply vows to “make Brexit work.” No significant details as to how, Labour just will. But Brexit is a massive factor in the UK’s economic decline, and although the deal is long done, badly and hurriedly, the repercussions continue, and will do so until the situation is revisited and soberly addressed. The island nation mentality and “us against the rest” attitude of the Rees-Mogg brigade will never see the UK begin to climb out of the cost-of-living abyss. As it is, Brexit does not make good sense for the UK, be it economically, politically, or in terms of prices and trade. The UK is no longer part of the European single market or the customs union, all that remains is a very basic free trade agreement. The damage is done, but that does not mean that with a changed attitude to our neighbours across the C hannel, some of it cannot be undone. Most in the EU want to make the relationship with the UK work far better than it currently does. Surely, then, it’s time for the UK to go back, not cap in hand, but with arms open, and say, “Let’s seriously, honestly, and unconfrontationally, attempt to undo some of the Brexit damage.”

Battling on to get through

Amid the millions of words written and said, the treachery and lies, the backstabbing, deceits and U-turns, the Machiavellian manoeuvring, the surprise sackings and shock resignations, one indisputable fact remains: the cost of living crisis will worsen as winter bites. We may have laughed out loud or shaken our heads in disbelief at the unprecedented turmoil at the top, but all the while the dark shadow of the weakening economy loomed large over the political shenanigans. And as politicians postured, millions of ordinary people across the UK were attempting to retain some semblance of how life used to be, battling on, one day at a time, while wondering how they will get through the coming months. Prospects of a quick recovery in the nation’s fortunes remain bleak, so the belt tightening for individuals and families will continue. The £2,500 price cap on households using a “typical amount of gas and electricity” will help some, but not those struggling to pay their energy bills even before astronomical price rises struck. Mortgage repayments have gone up sharply, rents are on the increase, food bills have soared so dramatically that some who not long ago were donating to food banks are now joining the queues to receive bags of essential food items. The “heating or eating” dilemma remains for many, and as temperatures plunge the situation will only worsen. Wage disputes in both private and public sectors continue, with increases offered mostly falling short of inflation levels. Benefits for the poorest, including many who are in low-paid work, are not sufficient to pay the bills, meaning that a pound in anyone’s pocket is now little more than small change.

So, what can the government do – what can any government do – to help those struggling most? Perhaps to start with, many of our elected representatives can genuinely think about putting the people first rather than obsessing over hanging on to their own seat. Should anyone, of any political persuasion, be an MP for 30 or 40 years? Doesn’t that almost inevitably lead to complacency? Should “career politician” even be an option, especially for those who also have other jobs? Recent governments, under a succession – or procession – of leaders have been quick to come up with easy on the ear, yet ultimately meaningless slogans like “Build Back Better ”. But the public are sick of slogans; they want a genuine commitment from politicians to care, not simply say they care. They want politicians to understand, not simply say they understand. When an MP tells people struggling with energy bills to turn down the heating or go out and get a better paid job, they don’t care or understand. When the controlling group on a local council reject extra funds for free school meals and then immediately approve an increase in their own allowances, they don’t care or understand. “Care in the Community?” Perhaps for many politicians that should change to “Care for the Community.”