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Next few days will be rather trying. The Brexit government will claim an extraordinary achievement, rather than a sloppy act of vandalism. The Brexit headbangers will claim to object on deeply-held moral principle, rather than cynicism or incomprehension.
Johnson on one hand. Farage on the other. Twin poles of self-serving reactionary British political idiocy. ERG lot presumably splitting between one and the other. The gut shrinks with shame at the notion that they are in any way pertinent to the country's future.
But honestly, I am massively relieved. Having a deal, even one with parameters as poverty-stricken as this one, is a good thing.
It'll save countless jobs. The idea of what would happen to, for instance, the farming sector in this country without one is barely worth thinking about
There'd have been little benefit to Johnson's opponents from no-deal. We act like it would have proved his incompetence. But that is already clear to see for anyone who wishes to see it.
Instead it would have created acrimony and distrust between Britain and Europe, and then worsened the material life of the country.
Johnson would have used jingoistic anti-European rhetoric to cover his own culpability. The last few days have shown how eagerly the right-wing tabloid press would have stoked that up.
There'd have been no platform for continued UK-EU communication. This really is the best of two shit options.
Plus: Johnson will be the author of it. He is now culpable for the shriveling up of Britain's economic and political stature which will follow.
The deal is something to work with. It's the foundation block from which the previous relationship with the EU will be slowly and painstakingly constructed.
Shit situation. Shit government. Shit few weeks ahead. But ultimately this is a much better option for critics of Brexit than the alternative.
