Santa Johnson is in town and he is painting it red, white and blue by flying the colours of the Union Flag. The breath of fresh air giving strength to the United Kingdom, a nation that has undergone the heartache of 3 years of Brexit pain.
Our Santa came bearing gifts. The very first was to make Brexit happen. All those who stood in the way of the people’s mandate were left standing, and the vote on Brexit passed with a thumping majority in parliament. In one surgical strike, Santa cut out the cancer of Brexit blockers and gave the UK the chance of a great future. Now the nation can get on with living for the now and putting in place the foundations for a prosperous global future.
Of course, Santa had many more surprises in his bag. For our community it was a proud moment when the Rt Hon Priti Patel was re-appointed as the Secretary of State for the Home Department. The nation is beginning to understand what Gujaratis are made of, we may come across as mild mannered, cultured and religious, consumed by our love for dhoklas, thelpas, fafdas and jalebi. However, when it comes to politics let there be no doubt, Gujaratis are born with that gene. Within minutes of her appointment Priti moved into overdrive mode by announcing a series of policies to protect the nation. The Queen’s speech confirmed that her department would be one of the leaders of this new Boris led government.
For those who have been spreading the fake news that the Tories would be selling the NHS, well Santa delivered another present. For the first time, the National Health Service’s multi-year funding settlement, agreed earlier this year, will be enshrined in law. That means there is an assurance of the minimum that will go into the NHS for the term of this parliament. I should not be too surprised if additional funding for some key NHS priorities are announced in due course.
The new year will bring with it several more presents for 2020. Two to watch out for, first a visit to the US that should deliver phase one of the FTA between our two countries. Second a visit to India. This will be an empowering visit, both for PM Johnson and for PM Modi. We will see agreements across several sectors of governance, from trade to investments, from immigration to education, and most fundamentally, on national security.
The new government needs to sort out electoral borders. Alongside that, a voting system that ensures that no one can vote without proper identification. Electoral fraud is taking place on a significant scale. The trap Tony Blair placed for the Tories would then be eradicated and we will see a truer picture of votes and seats.
I was heartened to hear the PM state that he was planning for not one term, but multiple terms. It makes perfect sense to look at some fundamental issues such as education and social care over the longer term. Whilst a Royal Commission will be set up for Social Care, it is my belief we need one for Education as well.
We come to the end of yet another year. The future looks promising and challenging. Nothing is easy in life, and when we as a nation undergo such a monumental change as Brexit, we need to bear in mind that all such changes take time to embed. Our ability to ride the wave, and surf them to our advantage will be key over the next 5 years. Let us not shy away from this opportunity. It’s time to unite, after all, we are the United Kingdom.
So, it’s Merry Brexit from me, and a happy and prosperous New Year to you all.
