I literally cannot see an outcome which doesn't result in the rise of the far right, some civil unrest, and some uncomfortable times ahead politically. I think we are infor a very bumpy ride, no matter what happens.
Yes. Been the writing on the wall since the ref result.
There is no way out of it.
It has many echoes of football hooliganism and that's where it should largely get filed. Even out of all those protesting the other day only a few will take further than group intimidation and mindless violence though thankfully.
The rise of the far right isn't a direct Brexit related thing anyway. This 'cultural war' exists far beyond Brexit.
I've just read a research paper on hooliganism and it's interesting that it says that Thatcher used football hooliganism as a justification tool to promote her general tough law and order policy. It was used as a way to justify harsh treatment on certain communities.
I found a fascinating phase from a report from 1986:
The" deterrence approach" promulgated by members of the "control culture" seems to be nothing more than a short term, cosmetic solution to a problem rooted in the sociocultural context and political reality of British society.
Note, reference to culture primarily rather than economic.
It stresses says its not purely economic, though it is part of the issue. Its more about this sense of being controlled, and there being a backlash against it. It also says that the more harsh the treatment the greater the backlash was. And it stresses the importance of identity in that.
I note here that football hooliganism was not simply wiped out by force. It was often displaced by more middle class people going to football matches.
And in terms of Brexit you have this idea of being invaded or displaced. And actually I think gentrification and 'social cleansing' rather than immigration is a larger immediate force on a lot of white communities. But this is sense is fed hugely by political correctness too. It is a dual effect not a singular one.
That's a battle that Corbyn isn't the right person for regardless of his economic policy. He embodies this idea of 'liberal facism'.
And its also why the rhetoric of Boris Johnson works, but he can't solve those problems because of his feelings on economic control.
Politicians being so caught up in their own bubble of reality which is disconnected from everyday experience does not help.
It was said about the Arab Spring that it was about dignity not democracy. And that's very relevant. And none of the political parties are really understanding the nature of the problem properly.
Hence why the likes of Aaron Banks and Nigel Farage get traction despite being elite and rich.
I'd argue it can only be solved by someone with a strong regional accent who has not been to Oxford or Cambridge.