If the election of Keir Starmer as Labour leader in the UK does not change the nature of relations with Canada, Justin Trudeau still finds an ideological ally with whom the ice has already been broken.
The two men were able to discuss during the Global Progress Summit in Montreal in September last year. The candid handshake between the two men was posted on Justin Trudeau's official Twitter account on Friday.
“There is still much work to be done to build a more progressive and just future for citizens on both sides of the Atlantic. Let’s get to work, my friend,” the Canadian prime minister declared.
As evidence of this friendly relationship, this same photo with Justin Trudeau appeared in the Labor Party's election platform, in the section devoted to international relations.
Progressives Against Preaching Tone
Speaking at the progressive summit in Montreal, Mr Starmer, who was leader of the official opposition at the time, echoed Justin Trudeau, who the day before had advised progressive parties to avoid “moralistic” language and instead reach voters “where they are” if they hoped to win.
This philosophy contributed to Mr Starmer’s decisive victory over Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives, notes Daniel Béland, a political scientist at McGill University, because Labour won for two main reasons: an attempt to “refocus” on immigration and the economy, but above all, a deep concern about immigration among the Conservatives, who have had five leaders since coming to power in 2010.
“Yes, it's good news for liberals. [du Canada]Because there is an ideological convergence. “But at the political level, it also means that the erosion of power has a really big impact,” Professor Beland points out.
Mixed victory
“The British election shows that progressive parties can still win elections, and that may be encouraging in some ways for Mr. Trudeau,” said Achim Horelmann, an expert on European politics at Carleton University.
“But the real point of this election is that it is the outgoing governments that will ultimately pay, whether they are on the left or the right, because discontent and anger are at record levels,” he adds.
In short, Mr. Horrellman explains, “the similarities between Rishi Sunak’s government and that of the elderly and unpopular Justin Trudeau have more weight in their political fate than their ideological alignment.”
Justin Trudeau will meet Keir Starmer again at the NATO summit in Washington next week, after a “warm and friendly” first courtesy call between the two men on Friday.
Keir Starmer's arrival also promises to relaunch discussions surrounding the Transatlantic Free Trade Agreement between the two countries on a more “stable” footing, and we are rejoicing in Ottawa.
