The ‘logic’ of English nationalism
continues unabated as the UK Government seeks to self-isolate the whole
territory from contact with any unwanted foreign influence, especially if it
looks even vaguely ‘European’. In recent
days, we’ve had the Transport
Secretary explaining how an ‘independent nation’ cannot possibly follow
the same air safety rules as the rest of Europe, and that “Being a member of
the European Aviation Safety Agency is not compatible with the UK having
genuine economic and political independence”.
Last week, we were told that the UK would
be withdrawing from
the EU’s Early Warning and Response System for pandemics, despite the
opposition of many experts and practitioners in the field. And this week the PM told us that each country
had to follow its own scientific advice in dealing with the virus epidemic, as
though scientific truth is somehow based on nationality. Arguing that ‘our’ experts are best placed to
consider what might be best in the specific context of the UK is one thing, but
I suspect (given many of his previous statements) that he’s rather too attached
to the idea that ‘our’ experts are better than anyone else’s, which is a wholly
different proposition.
If anyone rational were asked to list
issues on which simple common sense suggests that international co-operation
and agreement would be better than working to a range of different standards
and processes, surely rules governing the safety of aeroplanes travelling
between countries and approaches to managing widespread epidemics would be
close to the top of most people’s lists.
And there are few factors more likely to ensure that things can go wrong
in both fields than deliberately increasing the number of different regulatory regimes
for managing the issues. Yet that,
apparently, is exactly what must happen, because ‘Brexit means Brexit’.
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2 comments:
Look, Boris Johnson is an Englishman acting in the manner of all Englishmen on behalf of this nation. You may not like him and you may not like the fact he is English and presiding over the 'nation' of Wales but at least he is acting lawfully and responsibly by doing what he promised pre-election.
The voters in Wales have every opportunity to vote for political parties advocating independence but, for whatever reasons, this doesn't seem a popular route to go down. Maybe, over time, things will change. But my suspicion is the desire for independence will fall over the coming years just like it is in Scotland. Tricky times for nationalists.
In the meantime, my suggestion would be advise you to reduce your 'welsh indignation' and get with the programme on behalf of the whole of the UK. You might find people start to view you in a far more positive light.
I think you may be struggling a little here with the wording of your comment. Perhaps I can help you with a few suggested alterations which make it more accurate:
“Look, Boris Johnson is a privileged Englishman acting in the manner of all privileged Englishmen on behalf of the privileged parts of his nation. You may not like him and you may not like the fact he is English and ignoring the interests of Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and most of England but under the English constitution, there is nothing unlawful about doing the opposite of what he promised pre-election or during the EU referendum campaign.
“The voters in Wales have every opportunity to vote for political parties advocating independence but, for whatever reasons, this doesn't currently seem a popular route to go down. Maybe, over time, things will change. I hope, with no particular evidence in support of this, that the desire for Welsh independence will fall over the coming years despite the way it is growing in Scotland. English nationalism rules, OK.
“In the meantime, my suggestion would be advise you to abandon any thought of doing things differently or protecting the interests of Wales and accept the right of English nationalists to do whatever they want to Wales.”
It’s advice that I can live without, thanks.
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