Why Brexit lunacy had to end in tears
WE’VE known all along that the only way to avoid the disastrous effects of Brexit is for Britain to have another referendum. They need to change their minds about this unfortunate Brexit misadventure, this mad rush of blood to the head, this economically suicidal daftness, this wrongheaded and potentially calamitous misstep.
Then, after the British come up with the right answer at the second attempt, we can all agree to put this sorry affair behind us – and never mention it again.
And if that sounds somewhat heckling, then so be it. Because Britain has only itself to blame for this impossible maze they now find themselves in.
The people of Britain have many reasons to be proud, but this Brexit lunacy will never be one of them.
They sacrificed countless lives to save us all from fascism. They were the architects of modern democracy, a magnificent legacy to the world.
They crafted a legal structure that has stood the test of time, imbued with principles of personal freedom and commerce that have enhanced the human experience and changed all our lives for the better.
BRITISH people are a largely welcoming, friendly, courteous and liberal people – a shining light to the world. But, this Brexit malarkey? How in the name of goodness did they expect that to work to anybody’s favour, least of all for themselves? They proposed to leave a club that allowed them unfettered access to a market of 512 million people and thought they’d enjoy the same privileges from outside.
They export an eye-watering €308bn worth of goods and services each year to the EU and reckoned that that level of trade, 44% of their total, would not be damaged if they went ahead and quit.
And they stupidly thought that the EU, because it enjoys a surplus in goods and services of €76bn with the UK, would back down out of self-interest.
They bargained on their bluff not being called – without realising that it HAD to be. The EU simply could not – COULD NOT – allow the British to clear out and do their own thing on trade deals and the like with the rest of the world and still have free access to European markets.
The British had to feel the pain, the loss, hurt and bruised disappointments that separation always brings.
Because otherwise other EU members would all scatter. After the UK, it might be Italy, or Austria, or Spain… whoever. Then it’s game over – end of the EU.
We didn’t need all those late-night negotiations, those torturous ‘tunnel’ talks, those frosty handshakes, buns without cherries on top, Arlene Foster threats, British cabinet resignations and Leo Varadkar’s unnecessarily blunt megaphone diplomacy, to know that it would end in tears for Britain. It was never going to be any different.
NOW they are in a heap, and facing their biggest political challenge since World War II. This is the result of a bankruptcy of political leadership that still continues. Theresa May is a beaten docket and Boris Johnson is a political idiot savant, blundering and treacherous.
Another public schoolboy caricature, Jacob Rees-Mogg, is independently wealthy and delighted in informing us recently that despite having six children he has never personally changed a nappy.
Such are the dunderheads at the top of the Conservative Party – the people leading ordinary working Britons into an economic cul-desac where their only reward will be less of everything.
The only thing going for Theresa May and the Conservatives is the equally divided Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn.
May’s removal would most likely lead to a general election rather than another referendum.
The trouble for Britain is that an election won’t change even a dot on the draft withdrawal agreement.
The EU has offered its best deal to Britain – and now the British can like it or lump it. Michel Barnier is in no mood to enhance the offer.
A people’s vote is the only way out. But, with British politics enfeebled by a leadership vacuum, it’s hard to be confident that a second vote could be held any time soon.
Meanwhile, parliament is likely to vote against the deal, increasing to warp speed the rush to a hard Brexit.
Put on your lifejacket. The British are likely to go down and – like the drowning man – could pull us down with them.