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992    3 May 2004  

"What is it with you Brits and Europe?"

That's the question posed by Australian Mike Davis.  "History is usually a very tough task master," he continues, in his latest missive from Down Under.  "When a nation's hour (or three centuries...) is up, it is usually consigned to the scrap heap.  Yet here we have the European Union begging for leadership and the clearly obvious candidate is at sixes and sevens about doing the job. The British have a marvellous historical record for government and administration on a grand scale. The Anglo-Saxon/Celt combination of personal characteristics appears to be perfectly suited to dealing with persons outside that group. 

I suspect that Britain is really depressed because a full generation of
self-hating Brits, in influential positions, have badgered the national consciousness into submission because of the real and imagined faults in Britain's past. The British Empire was run by men and women, not angels and archangels.  Mistakes are to be weighed against the successes.  When this is done honestly, I consider that Britain gets a Distinction, First Class from the University of History. 

There are three serious reasons why the British people should leap at Europe, and the leadership that will fall upon her. 

First: the troubles of the 21st Century will call for relentless observation of the outside world and the troubles brewing there.  There will be no place for wishful thinking, isolationism or a Quaker foreign policy.  Britain, both in her leaders and in the 'man on the Clapham omnibus', has an unequalled record in not looking away from horrible developments as they brew abroad.

The mighty economic power of the European Union will be called upon to deal with matters of great seriousness. This will occasionally lead to military settlements of problems. The use of military power is unavoidable sometimes. Europe cannot continue to always leave these unpleasantries to the USA. In these circumstances, Britain has an unbeaten European record for seeing the battle, both military and political, through to the successful end.  

Secondly: the Anglo-Saxon/Celt is really committed to individual freedom. Not only in the easy times but also in the bad times. No other major nation in Europe can say this. A British-led Europe will not look to Fuehrers or to Duces or Caudillos or Petains to 'save' them during the great crises that will arise in the years ahead.  In a crisis, the British people do not lose their heads or panic or fall into delusions of race or class or religion.

The real 'cool Brittania' has been on show since 1588. It is not something new or invented by Alistair Campbell. Holding onto this belief in, and practice of, individual freedom (the greatest of all achievements of the Reformation),is the sine qua non of continued economic prosperity, social egalitarianism and further development of Western Civilization. Only Britain can be relied upon 100% to stand firm on this question.

Thirdly: Europe and the USA are not Venus and Mars. They are, rather, the two men on the road to Emmaus. They argue, they are puzzled, they misunderstand, but they are joined together inexorably. The balance and prosperity of the world relies on these two entities.  Passing affairs like Iraq and the presidency of Mr. Bush cannot be allowed to disrupt the real nature of the Euro-American 'co-habitation'.  Britain and America have the unbreakable relationship of father and son, for that is the historical fact.  As well, the countries of the European Union provided the millions of teeming poor 'yearning to be free' that filled up America. The idea of a disconnect between Europe and the USA fails the test of rationality.  Only Britain will always keep a clear head about the real nature of this priceless relationship.  Only Britain can lead Europe.

If an Australian republican in Sydney can see these good things about Britain, why can't you Brits see them?  When the day comes, for Heaven's sake, vote to go forward to Europe, Euro and all.  Failure to do so will cause a dreadful future for a European Union with all sorts of utterly unsuitable types thinking that they have a future.  Given Britain's past, I'll wager a shilling that, as usual, the Brits get it right. 

  • Cecil Rhodes wrote that 'to be born British is to have won first prize in the lottery of life'.  Let me update this: 'To be born into a British-led Europe is to win the first prize in the lottery of history'. 

Mike Davis 

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993  3 May 2004  

There will be
No Referendum

"Let the people have the final say".  And as the so-called "Referendum issue" continues to reverberate, let me restate my position.

"Let the people have the final say".  That's what the man said, in the Commons last week.  And that's all the man said.  He did not promise a "referendum".   He is keeping open the possibility of calling a General Election, on Britain's place in Europe. And for good measure, he used precisely the same words in his letter to loyal Labour Party members like myself - which I give you in full, word for word.

I am, of course, biased.  I said the same thing, right here on this website, in January 2002.   I still expect a combined "Referendum Election" in Spring 2005.  Tony Blair will lead the Party in that Election, win it, and then seek the first Presidency of Europe, handing over the UK to Gordon Brown.

What do you think?  Drop me a line

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