The worrying scenario grows closer. It’s Cliff Brexit, careening off the white cliffs of Dover on his way to destroy his own country by the act of his suicide.
I shout out to him:
Don’t go over the Brexit cliff, Cliff!
But he is not listening. He has a job and a plan and he’s going to get there come hell or high water.
How far down is it to the bottom of the cliffs? He hasn’t got a chance.
But he’s single minded.
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Perhaps a little back-story for those who aren’t quite up to speed on all the nuances of “Cliff’s” Brexit?
Ah yes, I was carried away in the moment. I will put something together, shortly 🙂
Thank you David: )
On Thursday, 23 June 2016 the United Kingdom held a referendum on whether to leave the European Union. There were arguments both ways at the time – on whether it was a good or a bad thing for Britain. And of course, the UK voted to leave.
There were then things that needed to happen in order for the ‘will of the people as shown in a referendum’ to be translated into legislation. One of these was Article 50 of the Treaty of Lisbon – and while there was no pressure on the UK to trigger Article 50, the UK Government did – on Wednesday 29 March 2017, giving the UK two years to negotiate the terms of its exit from the EU.
It is generally accepted that the UK could withdraw its ‘resignation’ and remain in the EU – if it does so before the 29 march 2019. It could even be a later date if the parties agree to extend the date so that negotiations could continue.
Tamara and I voted to remain. We thought the economic consequences of leaving would be bad for the country and for the EU with:
– International companies moving from the UK to mainland Europe
– Britain’s inability to strike trade deals with countries outside the EU
– the loss of doctors and nurses from the EU from UK hospitals
– the loss of EU agricultural workers to work in the EU
We thought is was a mistake to sever the day-to-day cultural links with the rest of the EU, and we thought we would suffer personally – with the loss of, for example,
– an EU health card that entitles us to treatment when we are travelling
– the right to live in any EU country if we chose to
– the same rate of mobile phone charges throughout the EU
– the enjoyment of people from the EU who live and work here and who we have the pleasure of meeting
A lot of of the forecasts made in the lead-up to the referendum – forecasts both by those in favour of leaving and those in favour of remaining – were claimed by their opponents to be inaccurate.
Now, it is two years down the line from the triggering of Article 50, and the damaging consequences of leaving are clearer. So my characterisation of those who refuse to look at the increasingly clear realities is embodied in the personage of Cliff Brexit – a person bent on walking over the cliff, come what may.
What motivates this person?
Pride. The inability to admit one has made a mistake.
But”Pride goeth before a fall…”
Yes. Unfortunately, this is a fall that takes everyone else with it.
As you said, all is not lost, there is still time for intelligent thought to triumph over ego. So, don’t stop pushing people to think, hey?
Thanks 🙂
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