The better angels of
their nature
We live in strange
times. Seemingly lost in the Brexit conundrum, are the reactions of
our closest ally and object of the special relationship. President
Trump's pronouncements on the subject have been, in general,
unhelpful and misleading. He has fallen into the classic trap of
promising the UK a great free trade deal, but never saying how or
when this may be accomplished. We are left wondering about this
course of action.
Having just returned
from state side, I was struck by the general lack of knowledge and
informed debate from both the US government and the American general
public. Except for promising a great deal the President seems
unwilling or unable to comment sagely or give an informed opinion.
So we are left with
Boris challenging Members of Parliament to basically back me or sack
me, by insisting his deal is the only one in town.
We find that
President Trump has, to his discredit, failed to make any real
attempt to understand the real issues that underpin Brexit. Glib
pronouncements are not required. They may be readily found in the
media. "In part, this distance from the United States reflects
well-justified wariness of the Trump administration. British leaders
have, by now, learned not to trust Trump vapourware. Through the
early part of 2017, Trump and Trump-administration officials again
and again promised 3rapid progress toward a post-Brexit free-trade
agreement. Trump told British reporters at the Hamburg G20 in July
2017: “We”—meaning the United States and Great Britain—“have
been working on a trade deal which will be a very, very big deal, a
very powerful deal, great for both countries, and I think we will
have that done very, very quickly.” There was a time when
pro-Brexit politicians and pundits believed and relied on those
words, but that time is long gone. " - Atlantic magazine.
Now, it seems, the
President has lost interest or moved on to more pressing matters.
Donald Trump has said it would be “terrible” if Boris Johnson’s
Brexit plan was blocked – making the comments hours after an
historic ruling against the prime minister by Britain’s top court.
"Appearing
alongside Mr Johnson on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in
New York, the US president through his support behind his
determination to leave the EU.
Meanwhile the UK
staggers on towards some sort of Brexit, oblivious to the reality
that a free trade deal with the US has receded so far as to make the
Andromeda galaxy seem closer.
Brexiteers are right
to point out that the US is by far the UK's largest market after the
European Union. What they cannot say is how to square the Donald's
America First mantra with a comprehensive free trade deal. To the
outside observer, these seem mutually exclusive propositions.
Squaring this circle is at the heart of the Brexit debate insofar as
it applies to the special relationship."
And, the pace of the
debate is supercharged by the self - imposed Halloween deadline set
by Boris. While Rome burns Boris fiddles with the numbers in
Parliament, and thinks that he can push the legislation through in
record time and with little or no scrutiny. Miracles do happen. Had
he not so alienated the DUP it might even work. Crunch time is here.
Again!
And at the bar of
public opinion meanwhile there is no real appetite for just muddling
on in the hope that, Micawber-like, something will turn up. Following
a Pyrrhic victory Boris faces a real dilemma : should he keep trying
or throw in the towel and go for a general election? Cannons to the
right of him, and left and in front. Where will he turn?
Who knows?
One thing seems sure
- the President has lost interest, has other fish to fry and may be
further distracted by troubles on the home front.
Bon appetite.
