Well, it looks more and more likely every day. The Brits have begun stock-piling supplies, advising business, checking out about airline flights. People in 1939 must have had a similar feeling, when the talk first began of food rationing and they started handing out gas masks.
Today the hook on which everyone has got hung is the British border in Ireland. If it wasn’t for that, British politicians tell us, Theresa May’s deal would waltz through parliament. If things continue as they are, the border will be the catalyst for a humungous clusterfuck. Ironically, the border will also be the shining line which could deliver a centuries-old dream: Irish independence.
There are some republicans I know who wonder aloud why people and governments took the long way round. When the Brexit referendum was held, they voted Leave. Not because they thought this would lead to economic prosperity. On the contrary, they knew it would lead to economic chaos. That would be followed by public indignation when they realized that a ruck among Cameron’s Tory cabinet had resulted in the north being dragged out of the EU on the coat-tails of John Bull. And it looks as though they were right.
If a hard Brexit is half as damaging as people are predicting, there is no doubt that a lot of people who would have been happy to stay in place and enjoy the benefits flowing from the link with Britain will now be aware that they’ve drawn the short straw – or, worse still, had it drawn for them. The tensions in the UK, our TGC, Scotland and maybe even Wales as well will creak and groan. It’s hard to imagine any other outcome than a Scottish referendum and an Irish referendum.
Who will win in each? Well, supposing you were living in a shack with no running water and wind whistling through gaps in the wall. Straight across the road there was a normal brick house with plumbing, central heating, a steady income and food on the table. And supposing you were asked “Would you like to move into the house opposite or stay here in the shack?”, what answer do you think you’d give?
The toff-boys in Cameron’s Tory cabinet didn’t realize the avalanche they were creating by insisting that the Great British people must be free to inflict grave wounds on themselves and anyone living within striking distance of them.
Well, guys, here it comes. Freedom. A bit ugly viewed close up though, wouldn’t you say?
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