Mayhem as May’s polls gamble backfires
Tamil People” emphasizing his full support for the right to self-determination for Tamils and the right to determine their future by democratic means including referenda.
Corbyn wrote that the Sri Lanka government would be expected to implement the resolution passed in 2015 by the UNHRC which sets out measures like the establishment of a fair and impartial tribunal to investigate, prosecute and punish the perpetrators of war crimes.
In writing about Corbyn, the Londonbased Tamil Diplomat publication tells its readers “You would have seen him in all the struggles you held in London. The Labour government will put human rights and international law at the heart of our foreign policy”.
One wonders whether those mandated to follow, analyse and report to our Foreign Ministry trends and developments have alerted Colombo of what could prove to be a thorn in bilateral issues if the Labour Party came to power here.
Those who have little or no understanding of political developments and issues might dismiss out of hand the possibility of Labour in government. That would be foolish given the highly volatile political situation right now.
The more percipient observers and those who cultivate politicians of all parties and political journalists would know that such political turn-arounds cannot be ruled out.
In fact we have come close to it. Right now such a possibility cannot be ignored because the May government is skating on very thin ice. It will not be surprising at all if Theresa May has to hold another election sooner or later and before the five-year term is over.
If that happens Labour is almost certain to come to power given the political; mood swings of the British public right now. Given Corbyn’s political stances in the past and the promises he has made the “Eelam Tamils” it would be quite natural for him to follow the foreign policy postures he has outlined.
One hopes that our Foreign Ministry will not be caught napping by a Labour government in power because some have fallen down on their job. It was an extraordinary election where the public was presented with starkly contrasting visions for the UK in the next decade or two. It would be a tragic mistake if smaller countries like ours hoping to negotiate separate trade deals misread the current and emerging scenarios and leave Sri Lanka as vulnerable as the post-election government in power here.
The country is badly divided- between parties, between the old and young and between Brexiteers and non-Brexiteers. The election results show the UK returning to two-party politics and the regional and minority parties losing their way.
While this is a longer term view of what could be the political landscape this election has produced a weakened and damaged prime minister with her authority diminished. She might stumble along in the coming weeks. But how long could this go on and how long would the country take it?