It is a well-worn tradition that US presidential candidates call for unity. It is less often that those same candidates, only years earlier, encouraged a riot at the Capitol which prevented the peaceful transfer of power. But that is the mind of Donald Trump.
In his speech accepting the Republican nomination in Milwaukee, Trump made a series of false claims. That inflation is at record highs (it is at three per cent), that the world was at peace during his presidency (it was not) and that the current administration is doing nothing to halt illegal immigration across the US southern border (Trump opposed legislation that would have enacted tougher immigration policies).
Yet, for all this, the Democrats are in a state of disarray. President Joe Biden, behind in practically all the crucial swing states, may no longer be the candidate in a matter of days. Ordinarily, the vice-president, in this case Kamala Harris, would be the obvious replacement. Yet she has her own major political vulnerabilities.
Consequently, names such as California governor Gavin Newsom and Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer are being discussed in not so hushed tones. Even Michelle Obama, who has never held elected office, has been touted on the basis of star power alone.
Unless the party gets its act together, the principal legacy of the Biden presidency will be a second Trump term, with all the dangers that confers.
Intolerable threats
Few politicians in modern history have received as much abuse as Sadiq Khan. The Mayor of London has revealed that he was sent a bullet in the post at the height of the protests against the expansion of the capital’s ultra-low emission zone.
Whatever one’s views on policies to combat toxic air, this criminal act of intimidation has no place in our politics. Yet, while an extreme example, this sort of behaviour is something Khan has had to endure for years. For that reason, he requires round-the-clock security.
Abuse is sadly a reality for frontline politicians. But it is impossible to divorce the vitriol directed at the Mayor from the colour of his skin and the religion he observes. It is intolerable and those who threaten Khan, or indeed any politicians, ought to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Summer’s here (briefly)
Only Britain sees a day and a half of warm weather at the height of summer and declares it a heatwave.
Still, after a cool and wet start to July, Londoners have earned the right to enjoy a frisson of bright sunshine and warm weather. Just don’t look at the forecast beyond Saturday.
