Ultima Britannia. Issue 5 (2nd November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Appignanesi, Richard
• Is Part Of: Third text. Volume 32:Issue 5/6(2018)
• Page Start: 565
• Page End: 581
• Publication Date: 2018-11-02
• Subjects: Richard Appignanesi -- Franco Berardi -- Yanis Varoufakis -- DiEm25 -- Brexit -- Lexit -- Jeremy Corbyn -- Labour Party -- Enoch Powell -- Tom Nairn -- the 1972 'Great Debate' -- 1975 referendum -- the British left -- Donald Trump -- Québec -- separatism; Art and society -- Periodicals; Art -- Developing countries -- 20th century -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- Intellectual life -- Periodicals; 700.91724
• DOI: 10.1080/09528822.2018.1548832
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0952-8822

Abstract

Abstract: This article proceeds from an introductory polemical exchange on the viability of the European project between the DiEM25 activists Franco Berardi and Yanis Varoufakis. It proceeds to an overview of Brexit from its roots in England's history of civil strife to the 2016 referendum and the secession from the EU. There are inquiries into populism, Jeremy Corbyn and Labour's left-wing 2017 Manifesto, the feasibility of Lexit – the so-called 'left exit' from Europe – and Enoch Powell's right-wing 'Rexit' resistance to the Common Market in the 1970s. A reconstruction of the 'Great Debate' of 1971 (and the referendum of 1975) follows which united the entire spectrum of the left – from the CPGB to militant Marxist groups and the Labour left – in opposition to Europe and gave first expression to Lexit. 'Nexit' is briefly considered – an eventual collapse of Brexit and (another possible referendum) return to Europe. The article ends with the populist phenomenon of Donald Trump's presidency and his support for Brexit in reversal of former US geopolitical policy which had always encouraged Britain's participation in Europe.