Greenock Telegraph 18th June 2021

The U.K. is used to getting nil points in the Eurovision Song Contest. Gone are the days of my youth when Lulu, Sandie Shaw and Bucks Fizz were the most popular contestants and foreign package holidays in Italy and Spain were the aspiration of countless families. Cannelloni and Paella were experienced in late night restaurants in the balmy continental heat. We were truly immersing ourselves in being European, but now that has gone. We have turned our back on Europe in the search for Britishness. In the vain attempt of re-establishing an empire that the sun set on a long time ago. Opportunities for export and import have gone, student exchange and travel restricted. And make no mistake the U.K.s diminished status in Europe is also reflected in a shrinking role in the world’s stage. This week the U.K. lost its seat on the International Court of Justice for the first time since 1946.  And while the G7 summit was hosted in Cornwall it increasingly looks like G6 plus one. Isolationism isn’t a good look and it’s the one the U.K. is increasingly clinging to. Some effects of Brexit will be more obvious than others and over time we can get used to most things, but we should be told the truth about where we stand. Asking the citizens of the UK to believe in the fictitious imaginings of Boris Johnson’s rambling mind and put their faith in his delusions is a step too far. Blurring fact and fiction has become a feature of the current UK government, hot on the heels of Matt Hancock acting unlawfully, Michael Gove has been found guilty by the High Court of breaking the law. So when they tell you everything is going to plan and there is nothing to worry about, be careful, and while you are making your mind up, my heart won’t be going boom bang a bang, and I won’t be anyone’s puppet on a string.