Now it is no longer the turn of ordinary people. While it’s unlikely to come in the form of a denial or a press release, it’s a far cry from the Labor Party who started the week with a strategy seminar in Sundvolden.
It’s probably a lot about what isn’t said. For two years, “now it’s the common people’s turn” has been a common thread the posts And the speeches to Labor leader Jonas Gahr Støre.
And the rest of the party rang like parrots whenever he got behind a mic.
From electoral victory to stand-up joke
But it’s been a while since we’ve heard anyone say that.
It has long been apparent to the outside world that the slogan has worked against its purpose. It’s become something of a permanent joke.
And just look at the measures to understand that perhaps it was time to adjust the route.
It came in handy on the campaign trail when the AP had to wrestle power back from the Conservative Party and frustrated SP voters. But for a government party in crisis, it wasn’t quite as successful.
Because who were the ordinary people? Those who earned less than 750,000? It degenerated into an argument that clouded the message.
The government has also been criticized for being polarizing and non-unifying in its rhetoric. Because if this was a government for ordinary people, did that mean the government was against everyone else?
The “rented wreck” of politics
But most of all. As food prices soared and fuel and electricity prices soared, it became increasingly difficult to argue that it was really the turn of ordinary people.
The first requirement for a political message to hit the mark is that you recognize yourself. At least those that the message should hit.
Misleading messages about unemployment and taxes received much of the blame for the PA’s 2017 electoral defeat.
Then “ordinary people” became another example of an outdated slogan and strategy before AP even knew it. As a kind of political “wreckage for rent”.
From bully to best friend
Whose turn is it now? Is it perhaps the turn of business?
Jonas Gahr Støre would hardly have used those exact words, but anyway it’s pronounced differently now.
Over time, a sort of crisis of confidence has arisen between the government and private companies. Criticisms have included tax increases, unpredictability, tightening of the law on the working environment and bans on private individuals.
The increase in the employer’s tax on income above NOK 750,000 was a kind of icing on the cake.
Business has grown tired of what they call negative rhetoric about “getting the rich,” “welfare profiteers,” “salmon barons,” and “big cleanings in working life.”
They felt unappreciated and think the government has been bullying them. As was recently featured in The friend of the country.
Both Thoner and new tones
At least now there are new tones. In his speech at NHO’s annual conference, Støre said “create and share” was AP’s best slogan ever. Industry Minister Jan Christian Vestre uses, as usual, even bigger words.
On Facebook advertising posters, the two line up side by side to say that those who build companies and invest money “deserve respect”.
Opposition to private actors also appears to be somewhat subdued. In his speech to the central government, Støre contented himself with speaking of “unnecessary privatisation”.
Perhaps they will no longer let the Conservative Party and Erna Solberg throw a party alone on that flank.
While the government was conspicuously absent the last time the business community gathered for the annual conference, this time it was well represented. And they have acted more open, humble and listening.
One could almost think that they have received new advice. Or advisers.
The modern has become modern again
But it’s not just the words of praise about business that are new. In Støre’s speech to the central council, the stage was set for a return for another word. The Labor Party must be recognizable and modern.
Modernity hasn’t quite become the label of this government, which critics believe it has been most eager to overthrow.
At the same time, a growing number of domestic voices have become concerned that Labor has gotten too close to Sp.
All parties tried to become something of a light-centre party when Trygve Slagsvold Vedum pushed 25 in opinion polls. It’s not so enticing when the green-robed vigil near the edge of the barrier.
Random? Hardly
In the wake of this, there has been considerable concern that AP has alienated too many metropolitan voters. That Oslo and other major cities are neglected and neglected, as the political editor of Avisa Oslo Eirik Mosveen has written extensively about it.
Perhaps it was a coincidence that Oslo and city council leader Raymond Johansen was the only local politician Støre mentioned by name in his speech to the central government.
It is no coincidence that the protagonist himself approached us. Anyone who follows Jonas Gahr Støre on social media can see what he’s up to, who he meets, what he eats for breakfast and what color his swimsuit is.
That is, openness at all levels.
The goblin on the load
But while a nice New Year’s resolution list is worth writing, the job isn’t done if the party changes its rhetoric or strategy.
It’s not the number of times Ap says “ordinary people” that determines whether they have a policy that actually benefits ordinary people.
The slogan was not created to hide the fact that electricity prices are now the government’s biggest problem.
But if nothing else, they don’t even try to pretend.
