The UK and US’ Turbulent Times: A Race to the Bottom
And the prize for most insane nation goes to?
One of the perennial topics of debate between my American and British friends is which of our countries is in more trouble.
In 2016, we were all too complacent. Most of my British friends and colleagues thought the UK could not be daft enough to vote to leave the EU. Most of my American friends were horrified by Donald Trump and repeatedly assured me that American voters were smart enough to see through him.
I started worrying in spring 2016. A British Minister visiting Tbilisi told me that the Brexit referendum was going to be a very close call. In May, Trump secured enough delegates to secure his nomination as the Republican candidate, though this did not become official until the party convention in July.
Still, my American friends assured me it was inconceivable that Trump could win the presidency, especially when up against such a qualified candidate as Hillary Clinton.
So, it was we British who first seemed to be heading into serious trouble, when the Leave Campaign won the Brexit referendum. However, the US quickly overtook us in the madness stakes, a few months later, when the inconceivable happened, and Donald Trump won the election.
We still hoped things would not get too bad.
The new Prime Minister, Theresa May, seemed a conscientious sort, who might try to deliver Brexit in sensible fashion. Donald Trump appointed some decent officials to his Administration, such as General Mattis as his Secretary of Defense. We hoped both leaders would rise to the responsibilities of their office.
