The Roots of Brexit
National Review,
by
Conrad Black
Original Article
Posted By: Pluperfect,
9/10/2019 5:23:54 AM
Americans watching the spectacle currently unfolding in the British government should not be fearful that the entire British political system is cracking up. It isn’t. The United Kingdom (of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) has been contemplating its national strategic direction since World War II. Britain has been a Great Power since the emergence of the nation-state in the 16th century, along with the French, Spanish, and Turks. The general strategic division of Europe from the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 on was that France had the greatest army in Europe and Britain the greatest navy, and as it was an island, had little need for an army.
Reply 1 - Posted by:
HPmatt 9/10/2019 6:01:40 AM (No. 175976)
Mr Black sums up 500 years of high level European history in this article, and brings English history up to present with Bojo in process of fulfilling the mouldering 3 y/o Brexit mandate next month.
10 people like this.
Gee Wally, what good are gubbmints when they fail the public that installed them??
7 people like this.
Reply 3 - Posted by:
Judy W. 9/10/2019 8:40:59 AM (No. 176103)
This is a really great brief and readable history of Britain's history with Europe and the U.S. I like his conclusion: "Britain is the world’s fifth economy and one of its very most respected nationalities, and historically probably the world’s most influential country, and in opting for a closer association with North America and a loosened connection to continental Europe, there will be the most significant strategic adjustment in the world since the disintegration of the Soviet Union nearly 30 years ago."
4 people like this.
Reply 4 - Posted by:
Strike3 9/10/2019 8:50:48 AM (No. 176113)
It's hard to believe that even one Brit would favor being an unwilling cog in the big failing wheel known as the EU but one must remember that Britain, like the United States, has been inundated with all sorts of people who do not have the best interests of their country in mind. Without EU protection their knife-weilding muslims are doomed and will be ejected to some rocky island to practice their cult to their heart's content. The delusional One-Worlders will also find themselves on the chopping block.
10 people like this.
Black puts Brexit into historical context. The Eurocrats and British version of the Deep State have ALWAYS been with us, as Black ably demonstrates, but would have us believe that the UK’s affirmation of sovereignty (the Brexit referendum) was a rare, boneheaded gesture undertaken by a rabid band of mini-Trumps. Nonsense. The Brits have a long history of creativity when it comes to navigating the diplomatic, military, and political shoals of hostile international waters. Brexit is merely the latest iteration of a constantly evolving complex of treaties, pacts, and back channel communications. Black has performed a random act of journalism here and it stands in sharp contrast to what we read in the so-called papers of record, The Times, NYT, Washington Post, etc.. Long live Conrad Black!
10 people like this.
Reply 6 - Posted by:
Dodge Boy 9/10/2019 9:42:38 AM (No. 176197)
Indeed, the current game of Brexit is being fought between the British Deep State and the British patriots. The citizens are impatiently waiting.
8 people like this.
Reply 7 - Posted by:
Lawsy0 9/10/2019 10:00:24 AM (No. 176220)
Every single time Black uses the term ''rapprochement'' I have to stop and look it up. Thank you, Professor. Next time I will know it.
I like to read about Boris Johnson, and hear him speak. It is like hearing Trump* with a teddibly briddish accent. And at least for the UK, that garish* American system saved your uppity arse from the Nazi's twice. Now, turn and bite that hand, if you dare.
5 people like this.
Reply 8 - Posted by:
Franz 9/10/2019 10:00:45 AM (No. 176221)
This history is missing one one very important fact. The Queen has taken a stand backing yet another three month extension (delay) for Britain to negotiate an exit from the European Union. This weakens Johnson's position. Every extension has resulted in the European Union hardening its demands.
4 people like this.
Reply 9 - Posted by:
ToryWhite 9/10/2019 10:17:57 AM (No. 176236)
The UK Parliament's closing act before its 5-week suspension occurred early this morning. With the exception of a few in Labor and some Tories, the spectacle looked a lot like the on-going acting out of many in our U.S. Congress, especially the newbies, which individuals are, sadly, both undereducated and juvenile, and very misled by the privileged few in their leadership. The PM Johnson stands apart because of his authenticity and courage. Descendants of the UK, such as myself, are hoping and praying for Johnson because he has not let personal greed, spite, or envy cloud his political and diplomatic judgement. Yes, continental Europe is not now, or in the past, and likely never will be, a trustworthy friend to the UK. If the remainers win, they may finally recognize their vast error in the resultant, awful punishments meted out to them by the snarky-to-evil bureaucrats in Brussels.
7 people like this.
Reply 10 - Posted by:
Chuzzles 9/10/2019 2:25:45 PM (No. 176470)
Actually, members of Parliament are called MP's meaning Member of Parliament. Good summation though. Mr. Black has been punching well the past month or so.
Problem is, Parliament right now is nothing but a rubber stamp production for the EU. Any real power was given away by Tony Blair when the UK joined up. That is why Blair has been working furiously for remaining. The voters have destroyed his legacy and BoJo is trying to see it completed.
Would not surprise me if Parliament is rebelling against the idea that they will actually have to go to work again, instead of just being the front guys for the EU rulers. Boris is going to make so many heads explode and it will be great.
1 person likes this.
Below, you will find ...
Most Recent Articles posted by "Pluperfect"
and
Most Active Articles (last 48 hours)