Prof. Anand Menon holds the position of Director at UK in a Changing Europe and serves as a Professor specialising in European Politics and Foreign Affairs at King’s College London. An expert on EU politics and policy and on UK-EU relations, he discusses the upcoming UK elections in an interview with Asian Voice.
Amidst heavy discussions about NHS overhaul, pension plans, and other domestic issues, no one is discussing foreign relations. Why is it so and what happens on that front?
I think when it comes to big foreign policy issues, apart from on the EU, the Labour and Conservative parties are in the same place. One of the reasons why you're not hearing much about specific foreign policy is what's the point in talking about stuff that everyone agrees on. The other thing is both parties, in slightly different ways, have stressed insecurity in this campaign. The Conservatives have promised to raise defence spending to two and a half percent of GDP by 2030 without actually telling us how they'll pay for it. The Labour Party, on the other hand, have pledged to raise defence spending to two and a half per GDP when economic conditions allow, which is basically meaningless. So they are talking a little bit about it, but it's not going to be a key part of any election, partly because the two parties agree and partly because you don't win or lose general elections on foreign policy in this country, the public aren't that interested.
There’s been a lot of discussion about withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights. What’s your opinion on this? Is it a wise decision to withdraw from the convention?
There are several aspects to consider regarding the statements. Many Conservative politicians are currently not just focusing on the general election but also on positioning themselves for the Conservative leadership election that will follow. Taking a strong stance on the European Convention on Human Rights is a strategic move to appeal to the right-wing faction of the party. If the UK were to leave the European Convention on Human Rights, it would cause significant complications. Beyond the potential reputational damage—being the only European state apart from Russia to withdraw—there are practical difficulties to consider. The European Convention on Human Rights is integral to the Good Friday Agreement, which ended the conflict in Northern Ireland, and is specifically referenced in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the European Union. Withdrawing from the court could cast doubt on both of these agreements. So, while it may seem like an appealing slogan, the reality is far more complex.
Given that Rishi Sunak took over as Prime Minister during a very complicated situation, how would you describe his tenure so far? Has his short time in office demonstrated that he is a credible candidate for re-election?
It’s true that Rishi Sunak didn't inherit a particularly good situation. There are two main things we can credit him for: first, rebuilding economic stability after the crisis of Liz Truss, and second, normalising relations with the European Union by signing the Windsor Framework. However, he's a rather peculiar Prime Minister because he lacks political instinct. For instance, he made errors like cancelling a train line to Manchester during the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester. He's not a particularly good orator and often appears thin-skinned, becoming bad-tempered with interviewers who challenge him. He doesn't seem to have the requisite skills to be a prime minister, especially the ability to tell a compelling story about the future. Interestingly, many of these same criticisms can be made of Keir Starmer. Perhaps they're fortunate to be running against each other, as neither seems to inspire much enthusiasm.
Do you think Britain is currently in a place where it could elect a South Asian or a Prime Minister from the BAME community, regardless of whether it's Rishi Sunak or someone else?
We could elect a South Asian Prime Minister, but I don't think it will be this one. The Conservatives have been in power for 14 years, and events like Partygate under Boris Johnson and Liz Truss's mini-budget have severely damaged their brand. These issues aren't related to Rishi Sunak's heritage, but they present significant challenges for any politician. Encouragingly, there was little comment about his South Asian background when he became Prime Minister. While a small number might have an issue, it's very minor.
Regarding Sunak's open pride in his Hindu heritage, do you think this will positively influence his support among South Asian communities, or could it have other implications?
It appeals to socially conservative voters because themes of family and God resonate regardless of specific religion. The Conservatives are targeting the Indian Hindu community, which has traditionally supported Labour due to its stance on race and immigration, despite Labour's social liberalism clashing with many Indians' social conservatism. Since 2019, Labour has alienated many Indian voters, especially after Jeremy Corbyn’s resolution on independent Kashmir, which was unpopular with Indian Hindus. The Conservative Party has placed more Indians in senior positions and increased immigration from India, leading to a shift of Hindu Indians towards the Conservatives. Although Labour's lead in the polls makes this a minor issue for the current election, it could be significant in the future. Labour needs to be cautious about losing ethnic minority voters, as they are also starting to lose Muslim voters due to their stance on Gaza.
If the Labour party wins, how would a Keir Starmer victory impact the UK's relationship with India?
Labour has been very clear about wanting a strong UK-India relationship for several reasons, including attracting back Indian Hindu voters. Labour will likely strive to maintain a close relationship with Modi to counter rumours of anti-Indian bias, strengthen an important international relationship, and manage tensions with China.
