Wednesday 23 January 2013

ship of state or islands and bridges

The announcement by British prime-minister to subject the country’s continued membership in the European Union to a plebiscite, something once and future, is inviting a broad spectrum of comments and opinions. From opinion polls in France and Germany, anchors of the enterprise, there is a leaning towards some kind of glee when they can ceremoniously roll out the red carpet for Britain’s exeunt, warnings from EU leadership underscored with cries against the UK for wanting to dictate terms, and perhaps most salient, there are demands on the contingencies of it all.
Putting the matter of Britain, which many conclude as foregone, to a vote by the public is bound, perhaps hopelessly, with retaining the current government, and is deferred to a future date to ensure the reelection of the prime minister’s political party. Such an opportunity is unmistakably a mandate for many of the voters. Special arrangements can certainly be made (the EU should not be mistaken for the euro), and hopefully this proposal is not a political ploy and the choice should absolutely be in the hands of the citizens, but such promises and pandering seem only confounding and leverage for more concessions that will weaken the union, inviting others to grow finicky over their own dues.