On Friday, at 11:00 PM, 31 January 2020, Britain officially left the European Union (EU). It was a divorce that was not contested by either party and was settled on a no fault claim basis. Although the bride Britain had some legal issues to settle including its post nuptial relationship with the EU, it was obvious that amid all the associated risks and warnings, Boris Johnson’s bravado in “get Brexit done” sounded so optimistic to the optimist. While Nigel Farage and his enclave successfully convinced the majority of the British public that it was a sensible idea, little did they know that it will be Britain’s biggest demonstration of national self-harm decision.
Among the many fantastical reasons given by the pro brexiteers, the public was confidently “informed” that Britain will be better off out of the EU. One of the most prominent arguments that featured in the pro –Brexit corner was that Britain sent £ 350 million each week to the EU. Interestingly, the camp made sure that they campaigned on issues that were very emotion -laden to the British public. The Brexiteers campaigned that the £350 million weekly money could be better spent on the NHS. Who would not fall for such a laudable piece of jingoism? As if that was not enough, posters were used to invoke Dunkirk-like spirit with “We want our country back”. The fisheries sector was specifically targeted and hoodwinked into believing that Brexit will lead to increased catch. The campaign was a closely run thing and one could see the dichotomy between these two. It was largely between the NHS and the economy. Many were convinced that Brexit would be bad for the economy but good for our darling NHS.
There is no doubt, that forces and interests outside of the UK were very centrally instrumental to see the break up of the EU. As one of the biggest trading and political blocks in the world, the USA had every interest in seeing the EU collapse. As a trading and political opponent, even the umbilical cord of NATO was not enough to cement over the differences. For example, The US wanted a slice of the NHS pie, Britain’s family heirloom. It is obvious that The US oligarchs who comprise the bulk of the Tech/Silicon valley community don’t like the kind of control and regulation meted out by the EU. With unregulated access and free hands in the US, these oligarchs were not used to political supervision from the EU. They are not used to regulations and control mechanisms. . It was therefore in their interests to see and hope that Britain leaves the EU. They might have banked on the hope that Britain’s divorce would lead to a domino effect. Initial hopes of the cards falling in Spain and Germany were quickly dashed after Brexit-like noises were silenced by the majority of Europeans in their respective countries. They wanted to see how Britain would fare with its own Brexit. You know their verdict by now.
Britain had hoped that it would become the biggest trading partner of America, thanks to its “special relationship”. What Britain didn’t bargain for was Donald Trump’s transactional relationship ethos, which is grounded squarely in the quid pro quo status. Trump never gives anything for nothing. He believes in “what is in it for me?” Britain also hoped to capitalise on its motherboard relationship with its commonwealth partners, only to find out that common wealth was not common. Five years on after Brexit, Britain has found itself as a political orphan and up the creek without a paddle. Britain’s position on the world stage was paradoxically back on show when Trump came back on the throne and threw multiple spanners in the works of the world order.
It is the third anniversary of the Ukraine –Russia war. Since Trump ascended the throne in his Second Coming, the American version and attitude towards the war has taken a 360 degree turn. In the meantime, we have been told that Ukraine started the war. We were also told that Ukraine is the aggressor and toying with World War 3. In the meantime, intelligence and ammunition that were once free at Ukraine’s disposal have become a pay –as –you –go basis. The blank cheques have been halted and in their place, a quid pro quo for Ukraine’s minerals, its energy sector and many others have taken central stage for discussions. Phew.
Since Britain left the EU, the flaunted and taunted benefits in trade have not materialised. Theresa May visited African countries like Kenya and Nigeria, danced the Azonto and Zangalaywa to drum up trade but the Chinese were already citizens in those countries. Even trade with Australia and New Zealand does not appear to have had the desired effect, one upon which the whole Brexit dream rested on. Travel has become more complicated and border crossings are an additional stress factor for tepid travellers. The trump card (pardon the pun) for Brexiteers was the immigration card and a key theme that always surfaces during elections and referenda.
Among the many fantastical reasons given by the pro brexiteers, the public was confidently “informed” that Britain will be better off out of the EU. One of the most prominent arguments that featured in the pro –Brexit corner was that Britain sent £ 350 million each week to the EU. Interestingly, the camp made sure that they campaigned on issues that were very emotion -laden to the British public. The Brexiteers campaigned that the £350 million weekly money could be better spent on the NHS. Who would not fall for such a laudable piece of jingoism? As if that was not enough, posters were used to invoke Dunkirk-like spirit with “We want our country back”. The fisheries sector was specifically targeted and hoodwinked into believing that Brexit will lead to increased catch. The campaign was a closely run thing and one could see the dichotomy between these two. It was largely between the NHS and the economy. Many were convinced that Brexit would be bad for the economy but good for our darling NHS.
There is no doubt, that forces and interests outside of the UK were very centrally instrumental to see the break up of the EU. As one of the biggest trading and political blocks in the world, the USA had every interest in seeing the EU collapse. As a trading and political opponent, even the umbilical cord of NATO was not enough to cement over the differences. For example, The US wanted a slice of the NHS pie, Britain’s family heirloom. It is obvious that The US oligarchs who comprise the bulk of the Tech/Silicon valley community don’t like the kind of control and regulation meted out by the EU. With unregulated access and free hands in the US, these oligarchs were not used to political supervision from the EU. They are not used to regulations and control mechanisms. . It was therefore in their interests to see and hope that Britain leaves the EU. They might have banked on the hope that Britain’s divorce would lead to a domino effect. Initial hopes of the cards falling in Spain and Germany were quickly dashed after Brexit-like noises were silenced by the majority of Europeans in their respective countries. They wanted to see how Britain would fare with its own Brexit. You know their verdict by now.
Britain had hoped that it would become the biggest trading partner of America, thanks to its “special relationship”. What Britain didn’t bargain for was Donald Trump’s transactional relationship ethos, which is grounded squarely in the quid pro quo status. Trump never gives anything for nothing. He believes in “what is in it for me?” Britain also hoped to capitalise on its motherboard relationship with its commonwealth partners, only to find out that common wealth was not common. Five years on after Brexit, Britain has found itself as a political orphan and up the creek without a paddle. Britain’s position on the world stage was paradoxically back on show when Trump came back on the throne and threw multiple spanners in the works of the world order.
It is the third anniversary of the Ukraine –Russia war. Since Trump ascended the throne in his Second Coming, the American version and attitude towards the war has taken a 360 degree turn. In the meantime, we have been told that Ukraine started the war. We were also told that Ukraine is the aggressor and toying with World War 3. In the meantime, intelligence and ammunition that were once free at Ukraine’s disposal have become a pay –as –you –go basis. The blank cheques have been halted and in their place, a quid pro quo for Ukraine’s minerals, its energy sector and many others have taken central stage for discussions. Phew.
Since Britain left the EU, the flaunted and taunted benefits in trade have not materialised. Theresa May visited African countries like Kenya and Nigeria, danced the Azonto and Zangalaywa to drum up trade but the Chinese were already citizens in those countries. Even trade with Australia and New Zealand does not appear to have had the desired effect, one upon which the whole Brexit dream rested on. Travel has become more complicated and border crossings are an additional stress factor for tepid travellers. The trump card (pardon the pun) for Brexiteers was the immigration card and a key theme that always surfaces during elections and referenda.