Good lord, @bathsaint .
First, GDP is not the best measure of an economy’s health. GDP per head, and we might be employing a useful metric, both for describing our present situation and what the future might hold for individuals.
I’ve a lot of criticisms for both the present government and Theresa May, who I genuinely believe has no business running a fucking popsicle stand, let alone an advanced economy and a protracted set of negotiations. History will not forgive her for calling Article 50 without having both contingencies covered.
That all said, her speech on Friday was perhaps the greatest moment of clarity from this government, even if it does constitute a climb-down from her more bullish Lancaster House and Florence speeches.
As I predicted, even people that voted Remain are getting fucking frustrated with the diktats from the EU. Never mind about whether the EU agrees with May. They’ll not agree with Corbyn’s plan either, even though business leaders, the political commentariat and the general public generally accept that the plan for a new customs union will solve most of the problems, especially the one in Ireland.
Which brings me to my final point. As you may know, I lived three years in County Down. Ireland has both a special place in my heart and is something I feel I have a better sense of than most of my English compatriots. I feel privileged to have lived there in a time when the province was rebuilding itself, getting to know itself, actually feeling something in the way of prosperity and normality.
The UK does not want a hard border. The Irish don’t want a hard border. That the EU would imperil nigh on 20 years of peace and potentially re-ignite the Troubles, for their own poltiical project, tells you everything you need to know about them as serious players.
Our weakness for the last forty years has being tied to the aspirations of a dogmatic political set, that don’t even sit up and take notice when the far right starts populatin’ Parliaments in France, Germany and Austria - and is prepared to put the security of one of its member states on the fucking line to get what it wants.
The EU is fucking shameful and fucking indefensible.
