Brexit pitfalls

For some observers, Brexit is the biggest political crisis since 1688, when England had to import a king from Holland. That is not going to happen again – the monarchy is a rare element of the constitution that is still functioning.

The World Today Updated 28 September 2020 1 minute READ

Alan Philps

Former Editor, The World Today, Communications and Publishing

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.

Access the archive

The current issue is open access with previous editions reserved for our members and magazine subscribers.