Blogging, Brexit and Belgium ......
The outcome of the debate in Parliament is almost guaranteed but is not yet certain. But Democracy is clearly at stake and being called into question by both sides of the in/out argument.
I have only heard one commentator remarking on the two faces of democracy, in the UK although a few have drawn attention to the lack of a written constitution, but democracy as practised in the UK for, at least my lifetime, is representative democracy, however for entirely hubristic reasons this was set aside by the previous Prime Minister in favour of a referendum.
Representative democracy is clearly to be preferred because it necessitates discussion and debate, expert opinion can be called upon and generally speaking truth will rest at the heart of the matter.
Brexit was called on a simple majority vote, which with a population as large, as varied, as geographically spread to make a simple decision on such a complex issue whilst being lied to, with the lies painted on the side of a bus and lovingly promoted by the ever less neutral BBC, was asking the impossible. Especially when the whole matter could be decided by one vote for or against.
So the loser here was not those for remaining it was democracy itself.
But as is said sometimes wearily and sometimes resignedly, we are where we are, which is probably up the creek sans paddle.
Having worked in Europe, both in my day job with Toc H, founded in Poperinghe, Belgium in 1915 and with the Diocese of Europe I am unashamedly European and a remainer, but my commitment to Europe is not without reserve.
As Tony Benn famously expressed it, the key question is "who elected you'? and 'how can we get rid of you'? and it seems to me that the bureaucracy that is Europe fails the Tony Benn test almost absolutely.
The President, the Commission etc are it seems to me immoveable objects and Yanis Varafoukis' account of his experience representing Greece as its Finance Minister is worth noting.
Despite that however I can only applaud the vision of the founders of the European Union and notice that in my lifetime in Europe at the least we have enjoyed a peaceable co-existence which has lasted from since the year I was born, 1945, until now.
The news will be in soon enough and then we will see whether a Ferry Company without ships will be able to save us as the small ships saved the retreating British Army in 1940.
And whatever the outcome of the debate the Blogosphere will be alive, if not with the Sound of Music, then with the the sound of knives sharpening, the sound of calls for no confidence in the Prime Minister, no confidence in the Government she leads, no confidence in the future post a no deal Brexit and no confidence that it will end well.
Trying to name five famous Belgians always ends with a list that include a fictional detective, a dog, a cyclist, a cartoon character and a singing Nun.
Belgian Airlines even ran a competition to name its latest Airbus commenting ruefully:
“We are a country with many well kept secrets. Everyone knows us for our great beers and chocolate, but most people don’t know that Belgium is also the home of many cartoons, that Belgians invented French Belgian fries, the cassette tape, roller skates and the saxophone. With our Belgian Icons, we aim to put our country on the map, and this time we want our customers to have a say. We hope to get many great ideas for our next Belgian Icon and who knows, we might have to keep some for the sixth one.”
Only time will tell who the five characters made famous by Brexit will be. Unfortunately of course for the current Prime Minister, given that this was the job she was not actually elected to undertake, this will be what she is remembered for.
As for other 'inners' who became 'outers' and those 'outers' who remained 'outers' and those who simply like to play Brexit Hokey, Cokey and are neither 'in' or 'out' but prefer just 'to shake it all about' the less said the best.
Perhaps the last word should be left to Nigel Farage who in reference to the Prime Minister of Belgium and President of the EU commented having decried Belgium as a non-country.
You have: "all the charisma of a damp rag and the appearance of a low-grade bank clerk"
Really you do wonder why they let us in and why they want us to stay!
I have only heard one commentator remarking on the two faces of democracy, in the UK although a few have drawn attention to the lack of a written constitution, but democracy as practised in the UK for, at least my lifetime, is representative democracy, however for entirely hubristic reasons this was set aside by the previous Prime Minister in favour of a referendum.
Representative democracy is clearly to be preferred because it necessitates discussion and debate, expert opinion can be called upon and generally speaking truth will rest at the heart of the matter.
Brexit was called on a simple majority vote, which with a population as large, as varied, as geographically spread to make a simple decision on such a complex issue whilst being lied to, with the lies painted on the side of a bus and lovingly promoted by the ever less neutral BBC, was asking the impossible. Especially when the whole matter could be decided by one vote for or against.
So the loser here was not those for remaining it was democracy itself.
But as is said sometimes wearily and sometimes resignedly, we are where we are, which is probably up the creek sans paddle.
Having worked in Europe, both in my day job with Toc H, founded in Poperinghe, Belgium in 1915 and with the Diocese of Europe I am unashamedly European and a remainer, but my commitment to Europe is not without reserve.
As Tony Benn famously expressed it, the key question is "who elected you'? and 'how can we get rid of you'? and it seems to me that the bureaucracy that is Europe fails the Tony Benn test almost absolutely.
The President, the Commission etc are it seems to me immoveable objects and Yanis Varafoukis' account of his experience representing Greece as its Finance Minister is worth noting.
Despite that however I can only applaud the vision of the founders of the European Union and notice that in my lifetime in Europe at the least we have enjoyed a peaceable co-existence which has lasted from since the year I was born, 1945, until now.
The news will be in soon enough and then we will see whether a Ferry Company without ships will be able to save us as the small ships saved the retreating British Army in 1940.
And whatever the outcome of the debate the Blogosphere will be alive, if not with the Sound of Music, then with the the sound of knives sharpening, the sound of calls for no confidence in the Prime Minister, no confidence in the Government she leads, no confidence in the future post a no deal Brexit and no confidence that it will end well.
Trying to name five famous Belgians always ends with a list that include a fictional detective, a dog, a cyclist, a cartoon character and a singing Nun.
Belgian Airlines even ran a competition to name its latest Airbus commenting ruefully:
“We are a country with many well kept secrets. Everyone knows us for our great beers and chocolate, but most people don’t know that Belgium is also the home of many cartoons, that Belgians invented French Belgian fries, the cassette tape, roller skates and the saxophone. With our Belgian Icons, we aim to put our country on the map, and this time we want our customers to have a say. We hope to get many great ideas for our next Belgian Icon and who knows, we might have to keep some for the sixth one.”
Only time will tell who the five characters made famous by Brexit will be. Unfortunately of course for the current Prime Minister, given that this was the job she was not actually elected to undertake, this will be what she is remembered for.
As for other 'inners' who became 'outers' and those 'outers' who remained 'outers' and those who simply like to play Brexit Hokey, Cokey and are neither 'in' or 'out' but prefer just 'to shake it all about' the less said the best.
Perhaps the last word should be left to Nigel Farage who in reference to the Prime Minister of Belgium and President of the EU commented having decried Belgium as a non-country.
You have: "all the charisma of a damp rag and the appearance of a low-grade bank clerk"
Really you do wonder why they let us in and why they want us to stay!
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