Spouses decide.

"Most people do not have strong beliefs. They arrive at them by developing the exact opposite views of those they despise." As for ordinary people, "Whom they despise are their preachy colleagues, nasty bosses, acquaintances and spouses." "Many political ideas of ordinary men and women are shaped by dislike for their spouses." "The 'right' is a reaction to the 'left', just as the 'left' is a reaction to the 'right'," wrote Manu Joseph. This insight into political opinions explains the recent election results. "Canadian Mark Carney's Liberals staged a major political comeback to retain power in parliamentary elections, fueled by a backlash against US President Donald Trump's tariffs and comments on making Canada the 51st US state." "Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who just three months ago had looked certain to sweep the polls, lost his seat in Ontario." Reuters. Logically, a right-wing Poilievre would have been able to negotiate a better deal with Trump than a hostile Carney, but hatred trumped logic. Similarly, "Australia's Anthony Albanese claimed a historic second term as prime minister...in a dramatic comeback against once-resurgent conservatives that was powered by voters'concerns about the influence of US President Donald Trump." Reuters. In 2016, 51.89% of British citizens voted to end Britain's membership of the European Union (EU) in a referendum (wikipedia) because conservative politician Boris Johnson claimed that EU membership was costing Britain 350 million pounds ($442 million) per week (CNN). Boris Johnson was forced to resign as prime minister because of his support of disgraced party colleagues Chris Pincher and Owen Paterson and for organising a party on his birthday during Covid lockdown. Rishi Sunak lost to Labour in a landslide because he and his wife were considered too rich to be in touch with the people. India Today. In 2024, "The gamble French President Emmanuel Macron took when he called a snap election has not paid off." The left-wing New Popular Front coalition won the largest number of seats followed by Macron's centrist Ensemble bloc. CNBC. "According to a shocking new book, Emmanuel Macron makes fun of his aides by wearing 'industrial amounts' of cologne and carrying a box of 'ugly' sunglasses," "that are 'each uglier than the last' to be given to guests when they forget their own." Macron "uses so much Dior Eau Savage that his staff can smell him before he even enters the room." ET. Manu Joseph is right. Leaders have lost because they were despised more than their opponents. Voters saw them as their spouses. The world is being led by the despicable. And their spouses.