Regular columnist Tony Johnson continues his series of articles reflecting on events since Britain voted to leave the European Union last Thursday. This was originally written on Sunday, June 26.
It’s a relief that Evan Davies, Andrew Marr and Andrew Neill haven’t let discussion spiral down into the rabble rousing that the EU Referendum debate encouraged.
However, by lunch time on Sunday, many politicians still hadn’t woken up for a political reality check. That ‘Westminster bubble’ was still intact as was the hunger for ‘politics as normal’.
Meanwhile, leadership is in turmoil in both main parties and the old two party political system is broken:
The Politicians out of touch
The Parties out of date
The Country out of sorts
Reform, like Charity, begins at home.
Britain’s been innovative in many aspects of modern life. Parliament; Loyal Opposition; Democratic Representation; Inclusive Adult Franchise; Economics; Industry; Empire; post-Empire; the Internet; even Football.
We’ve tried and failed, changed and tried again, fought battles, shared ideas. Many countries around the world have adopted and adapted our ideas and practice, because they work.
Friday’s commentary called for EU Reform. Today on Sunday it’s clear that UK Reform is needed first.
Partly for practical reasons, partly for moral & ethical reasons.
If we achieve a practical outcome to be at peace with ourselves, we’ll have demonstrated by example that it can be done, because it has been done.
And it might just work for others too.
So would it be too presumptuous for a provincial commentator to ask elected leaders of European Countries (many with similar problems) to get those seemingly impatient unelected Eurocrats to “shut their yap – we’re a bit busy right now”.
There might just be some benefit to come out of this vote for the UK to leave the EU.
An EU which we are still a member of right now.
An EU which, if reformed, we might want to continue to be a member.
An EU which improves the lives of all of its citizens, rather than just protecting the special interests of the wealthy few.
Just like our country should have done for our own citizens over the past 40 years.
There’s a clear message in the 48/52 vote.
Reform ‘The System’
