Lasting damage

Re: “European Union is free at last,” (Opinion, Dec 31).

There is no doubt that the old generation of the UK is still suffering from its colonial hangover. The Brexit cocktail served to this old nostalgic generation by selfish politicians has been used as an escape or a distraction from the real issues facing the country.

Mr Trump, once a close ally of Mr Johnson has also led an excessive attack on America’s trading partners all across the globe. The reckless nationalist fervour created by both opportunistic leaders has resulted in unnecessary Covid deaths and hardships.

While closer to home we are celebrating Asean and its expansion with new initiatives, such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), it is quite surprising to see that the selfish and corrupt politicians in the UK and US are taking their countries backwards.

There is one thing Thailand can learn from the policy debacle in the UK and the US and it is that bad leadership can sink a country into malaise and misery.

In the UK the new immigration restrictions on the young generation to work in the EU, combined with high tariffs and taxes will certainly impair its economy. In the US the lopsided immigration and trade policies, combined with the Covid crisis, will result in further deaths and a decline in its economic status. Bad politicians may come and go but the legacy of hollow nationalistic initiatives, such as “Brexit” and “America First”, is going to last, just wait and watch.

KULDEEP NAGI