The ball buster that is Brexit

It's come to my attention that the recent posts have been very sports orientated. With the excitement of the Super Bowl and some reminiscing about the great underdog stories, I think it's fair to say that we can leave the sporting world for now, even though the temptation to go on about the Winter Olympics and the thrill of curling is a strong one. Besides, something real bad happened at Wembley on Saturday sooooooooooooo sport sucks.

But now what? What could I possibly drone on about that peaks the interest of both the audience and I? Hmmmm... do you think I could go on about the latest political climate in Britain? Seems like the easy way out, to be honest, but there's been so much going on that I think it would be the right thing to do. We haven't done a political rant in ages- think the last one solely devoted to the crazy world of politics was Donald and his decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, which I called a 'ballsy' move. Shall we get started then?

Don't think I forgot about you

If, like me, the ups and downs of the sporting landscape took your attention away from political shenanigans, it would be fitting to have a quick run through of what you may have missed. Indeed, nothing much has changed, as the issue of Brexit looms over the fate of the nation, much like a rain cloud in a February skyline. Fear still runs high of whether or not Britain shall emerge from this self inflicted damage as a nation with prospect, or one of exile and ruin. Good thing the current government are united and all have the same goal in mind.

Sorry, I couldn't say that with a straight face. I'm afraid to say that the party in power aren't really seeing eye to eye with one another at the moment, as rumours circulate of a coup by the Brexiteers, primarily Boris Johnson and Michael Gove, who have already backstabbed one Prime Minister in recent memory. They are not afraid to do it again, especially to one so... well, poor. Theresa May isn't a figure of strength, and compared to the Conservative leaders that have come before her, those shoes are awfully big to fill.

For example, the milk snatching, Argentina bashing, miner crushing Margaret Thatcher

The last thing we need right now is a coup, since that would just cause more strife and just make the country look weaker. With Britain's prominence in the world fading faster than any hope of a team catching up to Manchester City in the Premier League, a party throwing its leader under the bus in the middle of the most crucial negotiations in recent memory will just solidify our declining place in the world. Indeed, a weakened power base for the Tories will just add more firepower to the Labour guns, and Chairman Corbyn might just be imagining his face emblazoned across the streets of London as he secures his place in 10 Downing Street.

While I think about it, there's a trend in the Conservative Party for underlings to grab power as their leaders fall. Let me give one example, since it actually feels relevant to the current situation (well, in my opinion it does). Winston Churchill retired from politics in 1955, bringing his second stint as PM to an end amidst a bout of ill health. Anthony Eden, who had served as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs during both of Churchill's time in power, rose to the top job, after constantly hinting that Winston should retire sooner than planned. It would be unfair to say that Eden took advantage of the failing health of Britain's war-time leader, but he positioned himself as the prime candidate to succeed Mr Churchill.

No pressure then

It was the determination of Anthony Eden to step out of the shadow of his predecessor that got him into some serious trouble. Basically, 1956 saw Gamal Abdel Nasser become President of Egypt after a revolution in 1952 and some serious political crack down. As part of his Pan-Arab ideology (a unified Arab nation that stretched across North Africa and the Middle East), he nationalised the Suez Canal in July 1956, sticking it to the imperial juggernauts of Britain and France, who relied on the canal for trade. Eden was put under pressure to take action, and my goodness he did!

Our friend Anthony then engaged in discussions with France and Israel, with the purpose of them being to remove Nasser from power and open the canal up. On 29 October 1956, Israel attacked Egypt, with Britain and France beginning Operation Musketeer (the invasion of the Suez Canal) two days later. What happened next was humiliating for the three nations, as US President Dwight Eisenhower told them to knock it off as it might annoy the Soviets, especially as the Americans had to deal with the Hungarian revolution at the same time. Economic sanctions were threatened, and a ceasefire was called just over a week after hostilities began. Britain was in big trouble, and not too many people were happy about it.

Bit of a cock up, really

Not only was the new status quo established, i.e. empires meant nothing and the world was now run by the Americans and the Soviets, but Eden faced opposition at home. Protests broke out, and the fact that Eden had tried to keep the invasion as secret as possible ruined his reputation further. He left for Jamaica in November 1956 in order to recapture his health, yet this just allowed Chancellor of the Exchequer Harold Macmillan to begin his quest for power. With his support diminished, Anthony Eden resigned on 9 January 1957, as his health slipped further into decline. A humiliating end to the man determined to step out of Churchills' shadow.

Political history is full of dealings and manoeuvres, and this is just one example (but is one of my favourites as I love going on about the Cold War and the Middle East). The relevancy of Eden and the farce of Suez can be related to the current Brexit situation, as Britain's global power declines due to the continued rise of the USA, the arbitrary Russians and a Chinese economy that can turn the world on its head in mere moments. Brexit may have been (for some) a way to send Britain on the path towards recapturing the 'glory days', but it appears to have done more harm than good.

God dammit Boris

What makes the story of the Suez Crisis more relevant is how Eden lashed out in panic. In his mind, this would define him as a great leader, as he would stop the rot of the British Empire and show his American allies that they were up to the task of being an influential world power. Yet his efforts fell flat, and he ended up out of office. Theresa needs to keep this in mind, and know not to do anything stupid or rash, especially with coup rumours circulating. Although Britain's global power is shrinking, it is by no means a reason to act irrationally.

It's easy enough to criticise the thought process behind Brexit, and those who voted in favour of leaving the European Union can be blamed for the loss of open borders and fears over a decline in trade prospects. But, in all honesty, most people should have known that the exit process would be difficult, and the EU would make it a ball-ache for us pesky Brits and our ability to liberate Europe. Once again, history has shown some sort of European hostility towards Britain, with French President Charles de Gaulle vetoing the UK's application into the European Economic Community during the 1960s. Talk about a dick move.

Yeh, let's forget the four or five years you stayed in the UK to escape Nazi persecution

I don't want to dwell on Brexit too much, and I shall draw focus back to the topic at hand. It does appear that the days of May are numbered, but let us not cast her out into the cold just yet. Bear in mind that being Prime Minister, or indeed holding the leading role in any government, is no easy job. Every single decision will come under fire, no matter how sensible it may be. One false move will unleash the hungry politicians who crave power. Hell, even when you proudly declare to your mates down the pub that you can do a better job, then I invite you to do so. Give it a go! Surely your ability to know that Harry Kane would score against Arsenal in the North London derby means that you have the foresight to lead the nation through the Brexit negotiations.

Not the only long nosed Brit screwing me over right now

The current government are still capable of getting a good deal out of Brexit, even with the odds stacked against them due to EU grudges and their inability to government. Time is precious though, as the walls begin to close around May and her cabinet, with Jeremy Corbyn ready to lead the People's Republic of Great Britain into a new socialist age. If the wheels of change do send May out of the door, and a Brexit favouring PM steps up to the plate, then I hope they have a good plan in mind. It would be the perfect time for one of Baldrick's cunning plans.

I'd vote for him

Yet the year is still young, and I'm sure there are many surprises awaiting the nation. A World Cup is on the horizon, and perhaps some sporting glory can revitalise the nation and save the Conservative Party from ruin. All we know at this moment in time is that the longer the Brexit negotiations go on for, the more cries for a change at the top. Once again, time is precious, and not a moment must be wasted.

Ben G 😁 xo

P.S. A while back, I wrote a post about my participation in the London 2 Brighton Challenge, a 100 km walk that would see me traverse the spanning British countryside. All the shit that has gone down in the last few months have made me totally forget about fundraising, so I need some help! Just click on this here link and give some monies to the animals of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. Anything will do- I would be eternally grateful.

Help the poor boy with the brightly coloured watch