Great Britain has a rich history and tradition of democratic governance, serving as a shining beacon of democracy.
The nation is widely recognized for championing and upholding the fundamental rights, freedoms, and participatory governance integral to a democratic society. Its commitment to democratic principles and values has solidified its reputation as a leading example of a society guided by the ideals of democracy.
The British election of 4 July 2024 stands out as a significant milestone in British history, symbolizing a decisive shift in leadership. The unprecedented democratic participation of British citizens, who flocked to polling stations to exercise their right to vote, resulted in the resounding ousting of the Conservative government, which had held power for over 14 years.
This remarkable display of democratic participation not only underscores the power of the people in democratic settings to shape the nation’s future but also serves as a testament to the resilience and determination of the British people. This remarkable display of democratic participation underscores the power of the people in democratic settings to shape the nation’s future. Labour leader Keir Starmer’s new leadership message was simple: “Returning politics to service.”
On the historic day of 11 May 2010, 43-year-old David William Donald Cameron ascended to the prestigious role of Prime Minister, marking the end of the Labour Government led by Gordon Brown. Cameron’s victory came with a resounding mandate to revitalize the UK economy, reduce public debt, and implement comprehensive tax reforms to benefit low-income earners. Furthermore, Cameron solemnly pledged to lead the nation with dignity, respect, and inclusivity, ensuring everyone had a fair chance to thrive under his leadership.
In February 2016, Prime Minister David Cameron announced that a referendum would be held to allow British voters to decide whether the United Kingdom should remain in the European Union or leave. This announcement came after significant advocacy for Brexit by Boris Johnson, who believed the UK would benefit more from exiting the European Union (EU).
Johnson’s stance resonated with many voters, arguing that leaving the EU would give the UK more control over its future. The referendum took place on 23 June 2016, with 52% of voters opting to leave the EU. This momentous decision, made in the 2016 referendum, had a profound and far-reaching impact on the UK’s political landscape, ultimately leading to David Cameron’s resignation on 24 June 2016 and subsequent leadership changes.
Following Lord David Cameron’s resignation, Theresa May, who served as the home secretary from 2010 to 2016, assumed the role of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. She vowed to guide the UK through its departure from the EU and secure a favourable arrangement for the nation.
Despite her efforts, she faced challenges in fulfilling her commitments, including negotiating a satisfactory Brexit Withdrawal Agreement and managing a divided parliament. These challenges eventually led to her resignation on 24 May 2019. The main issues stemmed from her inability to secure a satisfactory Brexit Withdrawal Agreement. Consequently, she left her position on 24 July 2019. Boris Johnson, a staunch advocate for Brexit and former Mayor of London from 2008 to 2016 and Foreign Secretary from 2016 to 2018, succeeded her as Prime Minister.
In March 2017, the British Government formally communicated to European Council President Donald Tusk their decision to initiate the process of withdrawing from the EU, thereby activating the withdrawal procedure as outlined in Article 50 of the Treaty of the European Union and setting the two-year process for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU in motion. This decision, popularly known as Brexit, has begun a complex and challenging transition period for the UK and the EU.
On 31 January 2020, Prime Minister Boris Johnson oversaw the official departure of the United Kingdom from the EU, fulfilling the outcome of the 2016 referendum. This was a significant moment in British history, marking the end of a long and complex process. However, his tenure was mired in controversy, and he eventually resigned from office after the Partygate scandal, which contravened COVID-19 lockdown restrictions by hosting multiple events and gatherings at Downing Street during strict public health measures. He tendered his resignation on 7 July 2022, and his departure from office occurred on 6 September 2022, marking the end of his tenure.
In the wake of Boris Johnson’s resignation, Mary Elizabeth Truss, also known as Liz Truss, assumed the mantle of UK Prime Minister. During her brief tenure, she made history by serving under two monarchs, Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III, all within a mere 45 days. However, on 20 October 2022, Liz Truss tendered her resignation. She officially resigned from office on 25 October 2022, after a tumultuous period characterized by a failed tax-cutting budget that roiled financial markets and ignited discord within her Conservative Party. Following this development, Rishi Sunak, a British Indian and the first Hindu to ascend to the position of Prime Minister, was elected unopposed as her successor.
On 4 July, the Conservative Party, under the leadership of Rishi Sunak, faced a significant electoral setback attributed to economic stagnation, public service shortfalls, immigration challenges, and various other factors. The Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer, secured 412 out of 650 parliamentary seats, while the Conservatives saw a reduction to 121 seats. Following the defeat, Conservative leader Rishi Sunak graciously accepted responsibility, apologized to the British people, and acknowledged his party’s failure in the election.
Upon receiving the monarch’s consent to establish a new government, Keir Starmer immediately assumed the role of prime minister and wasted no time setting a new direction for the Country. From the moment he took office, Starmer set into motion a series of transformative changes, including appointing key individuals to his cabinet.
His resounding message struck a profound chord with the British people as he articulated his vision of redefining the role of politics to be one of unwavering service to the people, ‘leveraging politics to serve and benefit the public.’ This proactive approach to governance instills a sense of hope and optimism in the British people.
In just 48 hours, British citizens peacefully cast their votes, elected new leadership, and witnessed a seamless transition without controversy or manipulation. The process was marked by simplicity, transparency, decency, and efficiency. This peaceful and efficient transition of power reassures us of the strength of democratic processes in Great Britain.
The defeated and the victorious candidates displayed mutual respect and graciousness, with the loser acknowledging their shortcomings and gracefully moving forward. This peaceful and respectful nature of the leadership change exemplified Great Britain’s spirit and reassured the nation of the strength of its democratic institutions.
A democratic society that disregards the principles of the democratic process in electing its leaders is bound to experience leadership failures, as its leaders will not be accountable to the people. In many African countries, leaders prioritize their interests over the people’s will, leading to widespread discontent and protests. This has culminated in revolutionary movements, such as the protests that brought the Kenyan government to its knees and instilled fear in other African nations like Rwanda, Uganda, and Cameroon. Scheduled protests, such as the upcoming demonstration in Nigeria on 1 August 2024, have caused great concern for the Nigerian government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In some instances, these protests have resulted in military takeovers of democratic governments, as witnessed in countries within the Sahel region, including Mali, Niger, Guinea, Gabon and Burkina Faso.
In a genuinely democratic society, leadership is responsible for its people and dedicated to consistently serving their best interests, as the essence of democratic leadership is rooted in the selection of leaders. If Africa’s democratic processes uphold democratic principles and guarantee free and fair elections, the continent will undoubtedly undergo substantial transformation and remarkable developmental progress. Until then, Africa will continue to grapple with leadership challenges, and the pursuit of meaningful development will sadly remain unfulfilled.
Ahusemere Ogbeide, a Social Activist,
ahusemereogbeide@yahoo.com
Ahusemere Ogbeide: Great Britain: Champion of A Democratic Society
