Often with contradictory demands nevertheless it is the diversity of these groups which make them such a potent force in any democracy. I think politicians can be rightly criticised for not having done enough to explain the nature of our global economy and to ensure that the power of national governments being exercised through international organisations can be harnessed to the public good. In rising to this challenge we have to acknowledge that free trade and open commerce can cause enormous and sometimes painful upheavals. Whole sectors of an industry can be devastated under the challenge of foreign competition. Both people and investment will need to be flexible in their response.
Governments can lose revenue and domestic companies can lose profitability.
Here there is a role for an active as opposed to an interventionist government. Our role should be to lead people through this process of change. With support through retraining and updating their skills. To help companies identify and then diversify into new markets or products. As politicians we must reject the soft, easy choice that the difficulties that might be experienced should be enough for us to call halt and put up barriers to free trade.