The Economist (February 15)
“Scottish independence has grabbed headlines since Brexit, but it is time to recognise the chances of a different secession from the United Kingdom. Sinn Fein’s success at the election is just the latest reason to think that a united Ireland within a decade or so is a real—and growing—possibility.”
Reuters (January 29)
The UK is hurtling “into the Brexit unknown” as “a dis-United Kingdom exits the European Union” on Friday. Alas, more “Brexit fatigue” is likely in store. “Trade talks with every major power—including the EU—loom while there is little clarity on what the United Kingdom’s pitch to global investors will be.”
The Guardian (January 26)
“Brexit Britain may soon find itself sinking faster than Venice. The UK faces economic upheaval on a vast scale if it is not, after all, to pursue ‘Brexit in name only.’”
Tags: Brexit, Economic upheaval, Sinking, UK, Vast scale ], Venice
Economist (January 11)
“The industries that will suffer most from new regulatory barriers to frictionless trade are those like aerospace, cars, chemicals, food and drink, and pharmaceuticals that rely on uninterrupted supply chains across Europe. They are concentrated in the midlands and north—exactly where Mr Johnson won his new Tory majority. If his weakness in the negotiations causes him to lose favour in those areas, his new domestic strength will be at risk.”
Tags: Aerospace, Brexit, Cars, Chemicals, Drink, Europe, Food, Frictionless trade, Johnson, Pharmaceuticals, Regulatory barriers, Supply chains, Tory, Weakness
Newsweek (December 13)
In calling an election, Prime Minister Boris Johnson “hit the jackpot. The Conservative government, which promised to ‘get Brexit done’ and lavish cash on public services, was returned triumphantly with 365 seats, its largest Westminster majority since 1987.” The result “bears many of the signs of a once-in-a-lifetime phenomena—a critical realignment redefining the basis of British politics.”
Tags: Brexit, Conservative, Election, Jackpot, Johnson, Majority, Once-in-a-lifetime, Public services, Realignment, Westminster
The Economist (December 7)
British voters are facing a “nightmare before Christmas.” They “keep being called to the polls—and each time the options before them are worse…. Next week voters face their starkest choice yet, between Boris Johnson, whose Tories promise a hard Brexit, and Jeremy Corbyn, whose Labour Party plans to “rewrite the rules of the economy” along radical socialist lines.” Both leaders are unpopular and on Friday, December 13th, “unlucky Britons will wake to find one of these horrors in charge.”
Tags: Brexit, Christmas, Corbyn, Johnson, Labour, Nightmare, Options, Polls, Radical, Starkest, Tories, UK, Unlucky, Unpopular, Voters, Worse
Financial Times (November 24)
Britain might do better if it tried a page from the Athenians. “If, instead of a general election, Britain held an ostracism vote, there would be plenty of ballots bearing not only the prime minister’s name but those of other party leaders. We would be selecting the most unpopular individual rather than the most popular party—arguably a more precise method of improving the democratic landscape, given the potential for deterring bad leadership. Mr Johnson, take note.”
Tags: Athenians, Bad leadership, Ballots, Brexit, Democratic landscape, Election, Individual, Ostracism, Party, UK, Unpopular
Time (November 15)
“This has been one of the darkest weeks in the Hong Kong protest movement…. With the ongoing impeachment inquiry into President Trump, Brexit paralysis continuing in Britain, and turmoil in the Middle East, the attritional protests in Hong Kong could easily end up neglected and forgotten. But now more than ever, Hongkongers need our solidarity.”
Tags: Brexit, Hong Kong, Impeachment, Middle East, Neglected, Protest movement, Solidarity, Trump, Turmoil, UK
The Guardian (November 3)
To top off Brexit uncertainties, there’s also the chance that a 25-year old could unseat Boris Johnson in the upcoming election. Labour’s Ali Milani “may not have Johnson’s recognition factor,” but “he is well known” and well-equipped to mobilise the crucial student vote. Johnson only won by 5,034 votes in 2017, “the smallest of any prime minister since 1924.” That means “Milani requires a swing of just over 5%” to win and displace the current Prime Minister.
Tags: Brexit, Election, Johnson, Labour, Milani, Mobilize, Recognition, Student vote, Uncertainties
Washington Post (October 21)
“Brexit has consistently proved to be unpredictable. After more than three years, there does appear to be one certainty, however: Whatever happens, Brexit won’t just be ‘done,’ as Johnson is suggesting.” The potential departure of Northern Ireland or Scotland from the UK and other “concerns that have been on Britons’ minds in recent years” will “remain a risk.”
Tags: Brexit, Certainty, Concerns, Johnson, Northern Ireland, Scotland, UK, Unpredictable
