One way or the other
British voters gave Boris Johnson marching orders
Boris Johnson, an early proponent of Brexit, now is in a position to push Britain’s departure from the European Union over the finish line. Mr. Johnson, who last week replaced Theresa May as Britain’s prime minister, will endeavor to succeed where his predecessor failed. Parliament refused to accept the exit strategy that Ms. May negotiated with the EU, and the EU has refused further negotiations.
The new prime minister has asked the EU to reconsider, but if it won’t, Mr. Johnson seems to possess the strength of character necessary to lead his country out of the EU without a deal and handle the messy fallout. The British people voted for Brexit in a 2016 referendum. In delivering Brexit with or without a deal, Mr. Johnson is doing what the voters demanded.
The point bears repeating. While Brexit is unpopular with many members of Parliament and with other EU nations, the voice of the British people is what should matter most in Britain.
EU admirers tend to overlook the bloc’s long evolution since the end of World War II — a series of steps, taken over several decades, that further integrated the members and increased the
membership to 28. Each step occurred as the members became comfortable with it. Now, a majority of British voters have had enough. That’s no more a crime than the U. S.’ desire to abrogate unfair trade agreements.
Mr. Johnson’s ascendancy has caused consternation similar to what accompanied the election of Donald Trump in the U. S. Both are brash, unpredictable and willing to upset the apple cart. Not surprisingly, the two leaders like each other.
Although both invite criticism with their sometimes- boorish behavior, it’s important to recognize that both are in office today because they represent their citizens’ longing for change. Mr. Trump’s election represented Middle America’s disgust with coastal elites who long neglected towns hollowed out by bad trade agreements. Mr. Johnson’s support of Brexit reflects the Brits’ desire to reclaim the sovereignty lost to the EU.
Those who criticized Mr. Trump for rattling U. S. alliances with longtime European allies should take heart at the president’s rapport with Mr. Johnson. Perhaps a new alliance is in the making, potentially one as productive as the one between Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher.