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You know that your foreign policy ideas probably were not as well thought out as you hoped when you find US presidential candidate Donald Trump agreeing with you.
(Copyright Business Insider)
“I think it is a great thing,” said Trump. “Basically, they took their country back.”
That’s one way to look at Britain’s decision, via a referendum, to quit the European Union. Another is that a nation whose empire once stretched across the globe is now so insular and deluded, it prefers to pull down the blinds, take the phone off the hook and pass the time reminiscing about Queen Victoria.
There was a hint of something else too, as northern England spoke about wanting to regain the “character” of their towns and UKIP leader Nigel Farage likened the decision to an Independence Day for Britain.
Faced with the challenge of learning to get along with its neighbours for the common good in a world that is shrinking by the minute, Britain chose a short-term, knee-jerk reaction.
Or, to quote South Park’s big-boned, race relation-challenged character, Eric Cartman: Screw you guys, I’m going home!
It was a very good day for bigotry. Although, to be fair, it is possible that Brexit voters just wanted to piss off Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley and his sweat-shop, sweatshirt empire based on cheap immigrant labour.
And speaking of un-endearing public figures, is it ironic that UK Prime Minister Dave Cameron never seemed so wonderful as that moment when he said “goodbye?”
Ahhh… Cameron… The Snoopy-lookalike who responded to Jamaica’s call for reparations by offering them one third of a prison instead.
The charming statesman who giggled at corrupt third world nations while his father hid his wealth—part accumulated from his great-great-grandpappy’s investment in slaves—in Panama.
And yet Cameron, just a year after being re-elected by British voters, knew which way the wind was blowing once 52 percent of the nation elected to ignore his pleas to stay in Europe.
Even though—you may need to sit down for this one—the referendum was not legally binding!
Trinidad and Tobago politicians would no doubt find that hilarious.
It isn’t that Cameron is of better stock, of course. Rather, it is that he operates in an environment which would make any attempt to continue his political career unworkable. Not to mention a culture in which politicians are allowed independent views without fear of being immediately “Bobbitt-ised” by a maximum leader.
Politicians falling on their swords is the perk of a mature and assertive electorate; one that understands MPs are elected to serve. Although, to be fair, it is easier to have a sensible view of leaders and their inherent vulnerabilities without the historical scars of colonialism.
And what does this do for sport?
British work permit laws for footballers are heavily weighted towards international appearances. So it could mean that, in years to come, the next Kevin Molino or Joevin Jones might have an easier time getting into an English club than the next Dimitri Payet or Juan Mata.
And what does Brexit mean for the current England national team?
At least coach Roy Hodgson has an excuse to leave the Euros now.
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Enoc Powell’s words are prophetic.
Powell: You have two events, if I may say so, slightly confused. One was the Conservative Party conference where I said I would never assent to the act of abnegation involved in Britain joining the Common Market; and a meeting in East Ham in September 1971 when I said it will not happen. I am still convinced it will not happen. I am convinced that the people of this country cannot be absorbed into a European state.
Day: But you said we would not go into the Common Market, and we did go into the Common Market, and are not just as wrong now as you were then?
Powell: No sir, the British people do not mean it because they have still not been able to credit the implications of being in the Common Market. They still think they will be a nation. They still think they will govern and tax and legislate for themselves. They are mistaken. It’s not the fault of many of the pro-marketeers that they are mistaken, but it is the thing, so incredible to them, that I am not inclined to blame them overmuch. But they will learn.
https://yougov.co.uk/news/2015/06/15/eu-vote-enoch-powells-warning-beyond-grave/
Very interesting and prophetic indeed. And a lesson to the rest of the world as far as national borders and patriotism goes.
Lasana :
If you want to understand what the EU is really about, this quote from the President of the European Parliament, concisely sums it up.
The British have violated the rules. It is not the EU philosophy that the crowd can decide its fate”.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-06-27/president-european-parliament-it-not-eu-philosophy-crowd-can-decide-its-fate
The EU was never about democracy, free trade or peace. The EU is really just about empire building.
Jeremy Corbyn had the same reaction
http://www.thecanary.co/2016/06/26/corbyn-fans-should-be-ecstatic-about-this-attempted-coup-the-blairites-are-committing-political-suicide/
Lighten up! 🙂 http://waterfordwhispersnews.com/2016/06/24/thousands-of-british-refugees-make-dangerous-journey-across-the-irish-sea/
Well well if this is true Boris was for the EU before he was against the EU……. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/eu-referendum-boris-johnson-brexit-support-single-market-leave-european-union-video-a7089991.html
I think on the contrary Brexit played on the concerns that people were experiencing and made it appear that it was an easy solution to their problems.. It reminds me a lot of what the PP proposed in 2010. Is there a reason why the proponents of Brexit did not have a concrete plan for implementation.
It is amusing though how Leave politicians are quickly pulling back from their positions now that they have ‘won’.
Like T&T politicians …they taught us well 🙂
Because no one wants to be ghe one fingered for 2 trillion in losses in a single day and your currency falling braps
Tell me when Farage backpedalls. He is the only real winner here I think. Him and his UKidding me party.
Lasana..taken from a morning show
Host: “The 350 million pounds a week that we send to the E.U., which we will no longer send to the E.U., can you guarantee that’s going to go to the NHS [Britain’s national health service]?”
Farage: “No, I can’t, and I would never have made that claim. It is one of the mistakes that, I think, the leave campaign made.”
Host: “Hold on a moment. That was one of your adverts.”
Host: “That’s why many people voted.”
Farage: “They made a mistake doing that.”
UKIP has one seat in Parliament..I’ve said before Farage was the worst person to be seen at the front of this campaign. Before Johnso and Gove joined the Leave camp was just limping along
That claim was on Boris’ bus as he campaigned across the countrt.
Yes..there a pic being shared lol
This entire referendum was based on lies and fear mongering on both sides. Islamophobia and racism won out.
Lasana I saw the Guardian article since last night but I didn’t bother to post since ‘our experts’ said there will be no fall out..
I know who you throwing shade for … but Ah go left dat alone fuh now …