Denis MacShane, a former minister for Europe, has responded to an article suggesting Nigel Farage could emulate the success of Italy’s far-right Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni. MacShane argues that Meloni’s rise to power involved a significant shift in her political stance, moving away from her earlier far-right, Mussolini-heritage roots.
According to MacShane, Meloni achieved her position by aligning with Mario Draghi, Italy’s and the European Union’s leading banker, who coached her on policy positions. She abandoned her previous hostility to the EU and her support for dropping the euro in favour of the lira. Additionally, she criticised Vladimir Putin and sought collaborative solutions with other European leaders on migration.
MacShane suggests that if Farage were to follow a similar path and embrace Europe, it would cause confusion within the Labour Party, given its slow progress in criticising the breakdown of trade links with the EU single market. However, MacShane notes that Farage currently remains where Meloni was 15 years ago, implying he has not yet made such a strategic shift.
