But it does raise questions about why Britain’s parliamentary system fell apart during the negotiations with Brussels.
In our cover story we focus on two weaknesses: Mark English highlights a political and media class whose lack of language skills allowed wishful thinking to prevail over clear analysis of what the European Union would accept; and with a foreigner’s eye, Marie Le Conte shows how the gossipy ‘nod and wink’ culture of Westminster was no match for the disciplined processes of Brussels.
The Brexiters have sketched a path for ‘Global Britain’ seeking its fortune far outside the EU. But as Alan Wheatley writes, we may have reached peak globalization. Internationally, trade is increasingly conducted among neighbours rather than globally and the world may be splitting into rival blocs.
