Over the past 50 years, British and American politics have often seemed like trans-Atlantic echoes.
In the 1980s, it was Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan. Maggie and Ronnie – as they called each other – clearly agreed on the big things of political life. Soviet communism, in their view, posed an existential threat to world peace. Reagan and Thatcher then offered an economic vision very different from the consensus of previous decades. By the 1990s, it was Bill Clinton and the New Democrats who profoundly influenced Tony Blair and New Labour. The word "new" – in both cases – meant "anything you didn’t like about us in the past, we’re not that any more". Mr Clinton and Mr Blair shifted their parties to the centre ground, as Mr Clinton once told me, "because that’s where the votes are".
That brings us to Donald Trump and Boris Johnson, whose mould-breaking style turned trans-Atlantic politics upside down. And style is the key word. Neither Mr Trump or Mr Johnson possessed an ideology, just a series of self-serving yet successful slogans. Maga – Make America Great Again – looked good on a hat, but it does not exist as a coherent political programme. Get Brexit Done, Global Britain and Levelling Up were Mr Johnson’s similarly empty but catchy words.
Now in the autumn of 2022, both men have to contemplate their own failures to make a comeback.
Mr Johnson failed spectacularly. Last month, he returned to London after three months of vacation in various boltholes around the world, only to be rejected by his own MPs. Mr Trump’s threats and bullying within his own Republican party meant his favoured candidates were also rejected by enough voters to ensure that Joe Biden can claim a surprising victory in the midterm election.
We need not just competence but also basic decency and truth
This week, Trump-the-Grump might, even now, announce that he will run again for the presidency, but his reputation as a vote winner, like that of Mr Johnson, has been permanently damaged. The lessons of 2022 on both sides of the Atlantic, therefore, mark yet another remarkable twist in trans-Atlantic politics.
Mr Trump and Mr Johnson are now known worldwide to have a tenuous relationship with facts and truth. Republicans such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who accept the obvious truth that Mr Trump lost the 2020 presidential election, have prospered. Trump-friendly election result deniers took a serious hit. Meanwhile, the post-Johnson British government of Rishi Sunak is engaged in an exercise of economic damage limitation and stability after the traumas of the Johnson years. Competence rather than showmanship will be the theme of Conservative party politics until the 2024 general election.
But one further theme revealed by American voters might also prove significant. Polling companies made seriously wrong predictions, in part because younger voters – at least according to some strategists – ignore telephone calls from pollsters’ numbers that they do not recognise. Since younger voters tended to vote Democrat, their responses were perhaps not factored into the pollsters’ predictions.
And yet, as both Democrats and the Labour party contemplate how the political winds have turned in their favour, they also have their own difficult realities to face. What do Democrats do about Mr Biden? And what does the Labour party do about Brexit?
Mr Biden has been – as former US president George W Bush once said, awkwardly, about himself – "mis-underestimated". The midterm successes mean that Mr Biden might be encouraged to run again in 2024 despite the fact that by the end of his second term he would be 86 years old. As a successor, Vice President Kamala Harris is not thought to be a vote winner. The triumph of Mr DeSantis suggests he could be difficult to beat in 2024 as an anti-Trump Republican from a hugely important state with many electoral college votes.
Meanwhile the Labour party – way ahead in the opinion polls – has tried to avoid talking about Brexit. Party leader Keir Starmer is competent rather than charismatic, yet he too must not be "mis-underestimated". He has neutralised (at least for now) the hard-left wing of his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn, who remains an MP but is denied Labour party membership. But Mr Starmer’s key problem could turn out to be even more fundamental. Brexit remains both damaging and divisive. Polls suggest the Scottish National Party could sweep up about 50 seats, making Labour’s task in government in addressing the failures of Brexit and the demands of Scottish independence very complex.
The eclipse of Mr Johnson and the potential eclipse of Mr Trump, therefore, do not guarantee their opponents in the Labour and Democratic parties an easy ride towards election victories in 2024.
But the events of 2022 could prove in some ways even more significant. If the shocks of 2022 means America’s Republicans and British Conservatives have come to recognise that their supposedly charismatic but rule-breaking former leaders, Mr Trump and Mr Johnson, have fundamentally damaged public life ethically as well as politically, maybe the complex politics of the English-speaking world might recover.
We need not just competence but also basic decency and truth.
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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Federer's 11 Wimbledon finals
2003 Beat Mark Philippoussis
2004 Beat Andy Roddick
2005 Beat Andy Roddick
2006 Beat Rafael Nadal
2007 Beat Rafael Nadal
2008 Lost to Rafael Nadal
2009 Beat Andy Roddick
2012 Beat Andy Murray
2014 Lost to Novak Djokovic
2015 Lost to Novak Djokovic
2017 Beat Marin Cilic
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The%20specs
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
The%20specs
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Voy!%20Voy!%20Voy!
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
'Top Gun: Maverick'
Rating: 4/5
Directed by: Joseph Kosinski
Starring: Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Miles Teller, Glen Powell, Ed Harris
'Nope'
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RESULT
Leeds United 1 Manchester City 1
Leeds: Rodrigo (59')
Man City: Sterling (17')
Man of the Match: Rodrigo Moreno (Leeds)
ABU DHABI CARD
5pm: UAE Martyrs Cup (TB) Conditions; Dh90,000; 2,200m
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap; Dh70,000; 1,400m
6pm: UAE Matyrs Trophy (PA) Maiden; Dh80,000; 1,600m
6.30pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Apprentice Championship (PA) Prestige; Dh100,000; 1,600m
7pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Ladies World Championship (PA) Prestige; Dh125,000; 1,600m
8pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (PA) Group 1; Dh5,000,000; 1,600m
'Cheb%20Khaled'
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Bib%20Gourmand%20restaurants
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The specs
The specs: 2019 Audi Q8
Price, base: Dh315,000
Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 340hp @ 3,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 2,250rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
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More from Neighbourhood Watch
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
ENGLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers Henderson, Johnstone, Pickford, Ramsdale
Defenders Alexander-Arnold, Chilwell, Coady, Godfrey, James, Maguire, Mings, Shaw, Stones, Trippier, Walker, White
Midfielders Bellingham, Henderson, Lingard, Mount, Phillips, Rice, Ward-Prowse
Forwards Calvert-Lewin, Foden, Grealish, Greenwood, Kane, Rashford, Saka, Sancho, Sterling, Watkins
MO
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreators%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMohammed%20Amer%2C%20Ramy%20Youssef%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMohammed%20Amer%2C%20Teresa%20Ruiz%2C%20Omar%20Elba%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”
RECORD%20BREAKER
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Results
2.30pm: Dubai Creek Tower – Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,200m; Winner: Marmara Xm, Gary Sanchez (jockey), Abdelkhir Adam (trainer)
3pm: Al Yasmeen – Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: AS Hajez, Jesus Rosales, Khalifa Al Neyadi
3.30pm: Al Ferdous – Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: Soukainah, Sebastien Martino, Jean-Claude Pecout
4pm: The Crown Prince Of Sharjah – Prestige (PA) Dh200,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: AF Thayer, Ray Dawson, Ernst Oertel
4.30pm: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup – Handicap (TB) Dh200,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: George Villiers, Antonio Fresu, Bhupat Seemar
5pm: Palma Spring – Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Es Abu Mousa, Antonio Fresu, Abubakar Daud
The%20specs
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
How%20champions%20are%20made
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Diriyah%20project%20at%20a%20glance
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KEY%20DATES%20IN%20AMAZON'S%20HISTORY
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The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
THE SPECS
Engine: 3-litre V6
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 424hp
Torque: 580 Nm
Price: From Dh399,000
On sale: Now
Match info
Uefa Champions League Group H
Manchester United v Young Boys, Tuesday, midnight (UAE)
Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
