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The resurgence of centrist figures is making waves in British politics. Tony Blair, one of the leading voices of centrism, practically declared Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, as his political successor during their appearance together at the Future of Britain summit. Blair’s former spin-doctor, Alastair Campbell, has also been garnering attention, as has former Tory Rory Stewart, both topping the UK news podcast charts and selling out theatres in London’s West End.
In a different political landscape, however, the situation is less friendly. Joe Biden, a natural centrist who has leaned towards a more progressive ideology as president, is likely to face staunch opposition from a twice-indicted (and growing) opponent who continues to claim that the 2020 election was fraudulent. The other frontrunners include a Florida governor focused on combatting woke culture and a candidate who supports conspiracy theories about the targeted ethnic origins of Covid-19.
Despite the divide in America, some still believe that centrism holds the key to healing the nation. No Labels, a political organization promoting bipartisanship and centrism, has announced its consideration of launching a third-party ticket in the next election cycle. They recently published a manifesto titled “Common Sense,” a term often favored by centrists due to its inherent agreeability. However, critics argue that the manifesto merely highlights the problems without providing concrete solutions.
While I sympathize with many centrist viewpoints and share their concerns about illiberalism on both sides of the political spectrum, I am skeptical of centrism’s ability to reconcile these contrasting ideologies. Centrists often perceive themselves as above the messiness of political discourse, operating under the assumption that complex problems have simple solutions that all reasonable individuals should agree on.
Centrism encompasses a distinct lack rather than a defined set of beliefs, as Leon Trotsky astutely observed in 1934. Without engaging in the intellectual debates surrounding politics, centrism would cease to exist. In today’s political landscape, where the spectrum is more horseshoe-shaped than linear and where truth and fiction have become blurred, the notion of a political center becomes increasingly elusive.
Christopher Clark, regius professor of history at Cambridge University, notes, “Centrists often exude an air of superiority, believing that they possess a comprehensive understanding of the political system and have pinpointed the exact center of virtue. There is an inherent arrogance in this stance.” This arrogance has contributed to the reputation of centrists as smug and self-assured.
Personally, I prefer the label of moderation. It implies a more humble and less trendy approach. Moderates may align with centrists on occasion, but their positions are the result of thoughtful consideration and engagement with diverse viewpoints, rather than a knee-jerk rejection of extreme ideologies. Furthermore, moderation is an approach rather than a fixed position, which prevents the formation of groupthink and tribalism, even among seemingly well-meaning middle-aged men.
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