“We have considerable scope to see things as we prefer to see them” writes Tim Harford, a sensitive liberal internationalist, and then goes on to comment on Brexit with “The EU would benefit from a deal, but the UK needs one desperately.” “Beware the ostriches pursuing a pact” April 1.
That is an argument, in different wordings that I read repeatedly in the Financial Times. It much reminds me of the anti-Trumpists; they have too much vested emotional interest in things turning out bad. They can’t wait for that impeachment that will allow them a definite “we told you so”… and what sufferings is produced on that route is of secondary order.
I of course am not at all pleased with the concept of Brexit (or a Trump presidency) but, as a Venezuelan, I have seen how a puritan opposition can only make things worse.
Do not allow technocratic thugs to take over Brexit negotiations. If there is one message a sensitive British liberal internationalist should at least continuously be asking EU’s sensitive liberal internationalists is: After Brexit, do you want to become a better EU, or is that really indifferent to you?
That Sir because, as I have told you before, I believe Britain will be able to manage any major sacrifices that might result from Brexit, much better than EU any minor sacrifices without Britain.
Harford writes: when “cringing [scared] behind the nearest piece of furniture, trouble lies ahead. Indeed that ostrich effect will simply allow technocratic thugs to take over Brexit negotiations… and Sir that is truly scary… where it not for them there would be no Brexit to begin with.
PS. “terrifying parts of Doctor Who”. Out in the real world it is important to be sure about what really should terrify you. For instance, bank regulators think of what is perceived as risky as something terrifying, ignoring that the really scary parts always turn up among what has been perceived as very safe. As a result they got their risk weighted capital requirements for banks all wrong… and they have still not been able to reconcile their fears… and we’re all paying for it. That is really terrifying, for real.
PS. Do Financial Times journalists need their editor’s permission to ask banks regulators these questions?
@PerKurowski