Election intrigue in UK

THE British, who have always been masters of diplomacy, are now turning into masters of politics. But are they? The surprise announcement by Theresa May wanting a general election next June has given rise to wide-open speculations on why she did it and what might be the end result.

If her intention is to gain more solidity in her stance as PM vis-àvis Brussels and Brexit negotiations, she has, in a way, done something similar to what David Cameron did when he led the electorate to a referendum on Europe with disastrous results.

Will she come out stronger from such an early election? Considering that after the narrow majority win by the Brexiteers at the last referendum, the reality of Brexit has further embittered those who were against it, joined by a growing number of converts, the question is: who will the latter vote for, even though they know that it wasn’t Theresa May’s doing or fault that Brexit won?

It is a pity that even if the Conservatives should come out damaged in the June election, the resulting stronger opposition would not have the chance, not to mention the nerve, to press for another referendum on Europe.

We all know that Jeremy Corbyn could have become the real campaign warrior for staying in Europe last year, but he didn’t.

Had he taken a decisive role in this direction, he would have done a favour to his party, rescued himself from the near political obscurity and weakness in which he is now, and done something very important for his country. CONCETTO LA MALFA,

Dublin 4.