Since David Cameron concluded his negotiations for the UK's current relationship with Europe, it is as though a starting gun has been fired for a race in which tired, out of touch politicians parade like grotesque peacocks in a desperate bid for attention. This is the way of such things in the UK. This is why I'm only surprised that our European colleagues would still want us to remain in Europe given the vanity of our political classes.
So what is the problem here? The problem is painfully simple. There are literally millions of British citizens who have never been deemed worthy of of their say over Europe. It is the views of the latter which would take precedence over the politicians. The behaviour of the politicians merely confirms most of what is ailing British life today. We have a political class who have all the answers and a public whose views are deemed tertiary at best.
After 41 years of being in the club, I think it's fair to assume that the majority of UK citizens have already formed a fairly solid view. Taking an objective view, the Welsh and the Scottish have far more reason to want to stay in than the English. The Celts have done rather better out of Europe than the English. The farming community for a start would have no reason to leave and every reason to stay. Although the farming sector has been decimated by successive UK governments, it remains vibrant and with that, influential.
It certainly gives plenty of fodder for the media who can now feast on this subject for the next four months. Thoughts of the British media inevitably, if regrettably, turn to Rupert Murdoch. Yes, the great irony in all of this is the potential for an ageing Australian to decide the future outcome of Britain;s relationship with Europe. When the votes have been cast and the result is know, will the losing side then quietly recede with good grace and accept the will of the people? Of course not.
In the end, arguments will be driven less by facts and more by jingoism, scare-mongering, money and xenophobia. Given the dearth of manufacturing in the UK today and the extent to which our economy has become so dependent on the service sector, I would have thought that arguments to leave will have a serious challenge. Then again, the political ambitions of one Australian and one Old Etonian could well put paid to such assumptions.
So what is the problem here? The problem is painfully simple. There are literally millions of British citizens who have never been deemed worthy of of their say over Europe. It is the views of the latter which would take precedence over the politicians. The behaviour of the politicians merely confirms most of what is ailing British life today. We have a political class who have all the answers and a public whose views are deemed tertiary at best.
After 41 years of being in the club, I think it's fair to assume that the majority of UK citizens have already formed a fairly solid view. Taking an objective view, the Welsh and the Scottish have far more reason to want to stay in than the English. The Celts have done rather better out of Europe than the English. The farming community for a start would have no reason to leave and every reason to stay. Although the farming sector has been decimated by successive UK governments, it remains vibrant and with that, influential.
It certainly gives plenty of fodder for the media who can now feast on this subject for the next four months. Thoughts of the British media inevitably, if regrettably, turn to Rupert Murdoch. Yes, the great irony in all of this is the potential for an ageing Australian to decide the future outcome of Britain;s relationship with Europe. When the votes have been cast and the result is know, will the losing side then quietly recede with good grace and accept the will of the people? Of course not.
In the end, arguments will be driven less by facts and more by jingoism, scare-mongering, money and xenophobia. Given the dearth of manufacturing in the UK today and the extent to which our economy has become so dependent on the service sector, I would have thought that arguments to leave will have a serious challenge. Then again, the political ambitions of one Australian and one Old Etonian could well put paid to such assumptions.
Comments
Post a Comment