The underlying dynamic of cross-channel divergence is indeed depressing, and much of it is the consequence of the petty spite and vindictiveness of Johnson and the Brexiters. But I remain cautiously hopeful. I'm writing this on a bus in the English Midlands; in front of me are a couple with their young son talking in Polish. Most of the EU citizens in the UK have chosen to remain in Brexit Britain. The second generation, fluent in English and at home in the culture, are beginning to make their mark on British life and culture.
It is a very fashionable view, but I am not sure that the U.K. is so pitiful, ridiculous and contemptible as we like to think. Angela Merkel turns out not to be the heroine she once appeared, the riots in France have now spread to Brussels, Sweden has a far right party prominent in the polls , Ireland’s neutrality is not ideal given the war in Ukraine and the Netherlands seem to have some very angry farmers. Looking at the rise of populist parties across mainland Europe , Rishi Sunak and Kier Starmer really don’t seem that bad
marvelous essay, with useful information and perspective... thank you
The underlying dynamic of cross-channel divergence is indeed depressing, and much of it is the consequence of the petty spite and vindictiveness of Johnson and the Brexiters. But I remain cautiously hopeful. I'm writing this on a bus in the English Midlands; in front of me are a couple with their young son talking in Polish. Most of the EU citizens in the UK have chosen to remain in Brexit Britain. The second generation, fluent in English and at home in the culture, are beginning to make their mark on British life and culture.
It is a very fashionable view, but I am not sure that the U.K. is so pitiful, ridiculous and contemptible as we like to think. Angela Merkel turns out not to be the heroine she once appeared, the riots in France have now spread to Brussels, Sweden has a far right party prominent in the polls , Ireland’s neutrality is not ideal given the war in Ukraine and the Netherlands seem to have some very angry farmers. Looking at the rise of populist parties across mainland Europe , Rishi Sunak and Kier Starmer really don’t seem that bad