Whenever I despair of US politics I find it refreshing to view the usually congealed chaos of UK politics, and the US political scene usually doesn’t appear quite so bad in comparison. Of course all the fury in the UK right now is symbolized by the word Brexit. The people of the UK, narrowly, voted to take the UK out of the European Union. The elites in Britain overwhelmingly want to remain in the European Union and have engaged in a shadow dance for years since 2016 to delay and nullify Brexit. The current newly minted Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, wishes to end all this by finally implementing Brexit. Yesterday 21 TINOs (Tories in Name Only) defected in a vote to effectively keep the UK in the European Union. A general election looms, although it is quite likely that the Labour Party will oppose calling a general election, as polls currently indicate that the Conservatives would win a general election. What happens next is anyone’s guess, but I would put my money on a general election.
The words of that bold, bad man Oliver Cromwell have been quoted a lot in the UK over the past few days, and they are still an accurate description of Parliament more that three and a half centuries since they were uttered:
It is high time for me to put an end to your sitting in this place, which you have dishonored by your contempt of all virtue, and defiled by your practice of every vice; ye are a factious crew, and enemies to all good government; ye are a pack of mercenary wretches, and would like Esau sell your country for a mess of pottage, and like Judas betray your God for a few pieces of money.
Is there a single virtue now remaining amongst you? Is there one vice you do not possess? Ye have no more religion than my horse; gold is your God; which of you have not barter’d your conscience for bribes? Is there a man amongst you that has the least care for the good of the Commonwealth?
Ye sordid prostitutes have you not defil’d this sacred place, and turn’d the Lord’s temple into a den of thieves, by your immoral principles and wicked practices? Ye are grown intolerably odious to the whole nation; you were deputed here by the people to get grievances redress’d, are yourselves gone! So! Take away that shining bauble there, and lock up the doors.
In the name of God, go!”
Oliver Cromwell – April 20, 1653
I’ve never understood what was going on across the pond. How has the average citizen reacted to this?
Cromwell had his flaws, but that speech certainly wasn’t one of them. Plus ce change.
I’m hoping they think better of it when crucial votes are held in the next couple of weeks ‘ere prorogation. If not, I’m hoping Boris brings in a sufficient majority and the 21 lousy twits are shown the door by the voters (and deported to the opposition if not).
While the dire predictions are overstate all around, and exit will be worse for the EU than Britain.
The EU does not want an exit. Their strategy has been to delay and delay until Brittan gets tired and drops the issue. When faced with a No deal exsit the EU will agree to a reasonable deal. Without that club they never will.