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“One thing is clear, at least: ‘Brexit’ is not primarily about Britain’s membership of the European Union, and never was." bit.ly/2MxAC6r#883d88…
"Brexit is a lesson in how quickly a country can degenerate into division and factionalism, and how tenuous are the bonds that hold us together around the vexed issue of national identity."
I would disagree with this. For me, Brexit has been on the cards for at least 18-20 years
I would disagree with this. For me, Brexit has been on the cards for at least 18-20 years
In the early 2000s, England in particular began to detach itself culturally from Europe. It became a quirky version of America. Its overriding, all-consuming obsession with house prices. The religion-like status of Reality-TV. And worst of all the incurable addiction to Nostalgia
Those of us outside the UK saw this happening. Saw how obsessed Britain was becoming with its own weird version of "Britishness, which was in fact "Little Englandism". Britain became the "best" at everything. Jaimie Oliver even showed Italians how to cook their own fish!
Britain stopped questioning itself. Which is always a worrying sign.
The supermarkets became packed with European wine. But most of it, by Western European standards, was awful. Why? Because the 2-for-1 mentality in the UK also said it needed to be cheap!
The supermarkets became packed with European wine. But most of it, by Western European standards, was awful. Why? Because the 2-for-1 mentality in the UK also said it needed to be cheap!
Britain's once flourishing theatre scene became an elephants' graveyards for 1980s hits. A self obsessed nationalism took over which was against benchmarking, against self-doubt, against foreigners who "thought they new better", and above all against a shared European identity
For me this all came to a head in the opening ceremony of the Olympics 2012. People in the UK thought it was great. But those of us in the world beyond picked up the subliminal message of a nation lacking an identity for the modern age, and seeking refuge in insular nostalgia.
It was partly about what Britain had given the world. But mostly about what Britain had given to itself. Its soap operas, the NHS, the Spice Girls ... But what was the message? Where was the future? All fascist states seek shelter in the past. It is their Achilles heel.
*knew*
