Since the early 1900's we have slowly but inexorably been forced off centre stage by the rise of new and more powerful actors. We do have a bit part to play, both as a salutary lesson in what not to do (e.g. Suez, Iraq, Brexit) and also as an example of ceding power to the USA as the new emergent dominant world force of the 20th Century, without both sides having to resort to conflict.
We can play our now more modest role with confidence, but only if we stop pretending that we are still the leading actor on the stage. We have much to offer, but cardboard cutouts of gunboat diplomacy (e.g. aircraft carriers with no aircraft off China) or jingoistic posturing in our relationship with the EU will not permit us more than an occasional bathetic walk-on as the tedious, irritating neighbour the main actors must all live with, but mostly ignore.
We have an enormous amount of talent in the UK - most of it stifled by a succession of inept governments. If we can appoint some truly inspirational and transformative leaders, we can assuredly strut our diminished but vital corner of the stage, knowing that other more significant players hold us in the highest esteem.
If Britain is to renew its expectation of having any significant influence on world affairs it can only do so in the context of its relationship with either Europe or the USA. On its own it is too small, economically weak and badly governed to regain its past influence. As for the USA, its present status as a fairly rapidly failing democracy (though not yet as a failing state) makes it an increasingly untrustworthy and unreliable partner. Europe, being on Britain's doorstep, wealthy and democratic, is the sole logical choice for any meaningful partnership. For example Britain's puny efforts at negotiating trade agreements with Australia clearly demonstrates the limits of British influence .
Britain can (and will) remain a leader in terms of cultural productivity. Despite Tory efforts to stifle The Arts. Read 'Love and Let Die: Bond, the Beatles and the British Psyche' by John Higgs.
You are quite right about the Murdoch act. The man who owned the paper that hacked poor Molly Dowler’s phone, continues to preside over organisations with dubious journalistic standards.
This is a typical piece of writing by someone who conflates being British and English. They are NOT the sane. The English voted for BREXIT but many parts of the UK did Not!!
Note poetic comments about England. Is it little wonder some of my country (people) don't relate to being British when so many of the English do not - and also want the (thought) of freedom that was sold (by liars) regarding Brexit.
The sooner we realise we are wasting money billions) on nuclear weapons and aircraft carriers without aircraft to pretend we are important whem we are sliding into a group of countries which includes France/Spain/Portugal/Rome etc as once colonisers and ravages of other countries, the better.
We are a third country to the EU and soon will become on a par with third world countries.
Since the early 1900's we have slowly but inexorably been forced off centre stage by the rise of new and more powerful actors. We do have a bit part to play, both as a salutary lesson in what not to do (e.g. Suez, Iraq, Brexit) and also as an example of ceding power to the USA as the new emergent dominant world force of the 20th Century, without both sides having to resort to conflict.
We can play our now more modest role with confidence, but only if we stop pretending that we are still the leading actor on the stage. We have much to offer, but cardboard cutouts of gunboat diplomacy (e.g. aircraft carriers with no aircraft off China) or jingoistic posturing in our relationship with the EU will not permit us more than an occasional bathetic walk-on as the tedious, irritating neighbour the main actors must all live with, but mostly ignore.
We have an enormous amount of talent in the UK - most of it stifled by a succession of inept governments. If we can appoint some truly inspirational and transformative leaders, we can assuredly strut our diminished but vital corner of the stage, knowing that other more significant players hold us in the highest esteem.
If Britain is to renew its expectation of having any significant influence on world affairs it can only do so in the context of its relationship with either Europe or the USA. On its own it is too small, economically weak and badly governed to regain its past influence. As for the USA, its present status as a fairly rapidly failing democracy (though not yet as a failing state) makes it an increasingly untrustworthy and unreliable partner. Europe, being on Britain's doorstep, wealthy and democratic, is the sole logical choice for any meaningful partnership. For example Britain's puny efforts at negotiating trade agreements with Australia clearly demonstrates the limits of British influence .
Britain can (and will) remain a leader in terms of cultural productivity. Despite Tory efforts to stifle The Arts. Read 'Love and Let Die: Bond, the Beatles and the British Psyche' by John Higgs.
I agree with you Oliver!
You are quite right about the Murdoch act. The man who owned the paper that hacked poor Molly Dowler’s phone, continues to preside over organisations with dubious journalistic standards.
❤️
This is a typical piece of writing by someone who conflates being British and English. They are NOT the sane. The English voted for BREXIT but many parts of the UK did Not!!
Note poetic comments about England. Is it little wonder some of my country (people) don't relate to being British when so many of the English do not - and also want the (thought) of freedom that was sold (by liars) regarding Brexit.
The sooner we realise we are wasting money billions) on nuclear weapons and aircraft carriers without aircraft to pretend we are important whem we are sliding into a group of countries which includes France/Spain/Portugal/Rome etc as once colonisers and ravages of other countries, the better.
We are a third country to the EU and soon will become on a par with third world countries.