On what I believe to be a related issue...
Boris Johnson has suddenly pulled out of the race for
Conservative Party leader. Depending on whether or not there's a snap election,
this position would also mean automatically becoming prime minister.
Why did he suddenly quit? Not a few are angry with him and
paint a picture in which he (with Farage) led the charge, got the UK into this
terrible mess and is now abandoning ship just as things are getting serious.
The idea that Gove's entry was a betrayal and therefore he's just backing down
doesn't quite add up.
Is it cowardice or something else? The Establishment is
stirred at present and there's a major shake-up going on. Did Johnson irritate
the unofficial powers that be? I'm sure Washington does not look favourably on
him. He just greatly weakened their ability to exert influence within Europe.
Washington also fears the weakening of NATO, though the recent Istanbul attack
will certainly help solidify European unity and resolve.
There's an interesting story here but it may take some time
for it to really come out.
Of course, the US sought to exert influence in the direction of the EU, but the more the union solidified, with plans of joint military operations, would the US really want to see the EU press ahead? There were a number of cheerleaders for both Czech and Irish withdrawal, which both failed. Now, as secession is possible, the economic results will determine whether pulling out is feasible. I know the stock-market took a beating, but I wonder if the UK will be drawn further into the American orbit. Perhaps the US will offer trade connections and partnerships to sweeten the deal of a further weak EU. Only a united Europe could offer an alternative to American dominance. France and Germany will be humiliated, and it might further radicalize Europe rightward. To me, it seems like a powder keg that American interests are tinkering with.
ReplyDeleteI don't know about Boris Johnson, but I'm more inclined to think that neither he nor Cameron thought this vote would actually work. Rather, it was a cheap ploy to siphon reactionary energy into the husk that is the Tory party. They truly overplayed their hand. It's really amazing to see both "right" parties in the US and UK get shredded, almost simultaneously.
No the US doesn't want to see the EU become a real 'partner' in terms of military ops. They want a subordinate. I think the UK might be pushed further into the US orbit. I'm not convinced all US elements are sad to see the Brexit.
ReplyDelete'shredded' is a good way to put it. I'll be curious to see how Farage and UKIP come out of all this. It could make them... or break them for good.
Wow, now Farage has quit. You know, were these 'leave' guys phony too? Was this all grandstanding, a quest for attention and fame? Did they ever really intend to succeed? Were they the most shocked of all when the leave vote actually came through? They broke it and now they have absolutely no plan or vision for what comes next. They lied about a lot of stuff and now have been called out on it.
ReplyDeleteFor Farage (and Johnson) it's something akin to the thrill of victory and now the agony of defeat. He won but it has now all but destroyed him. How the mighty are fallen.