Post-industrial and post-colonial Britain is a hollow poplar, not a sturdy oak

By George ILIEV
Brexit Metaphor No 151 

Britain's global dominance grew like a poplar tree: the rise of Britain was quick and reached high. From the defeat of Napoleon to around World War 1, Britain was the undisputed global power for a century. The memory lives on.

Many Brits, however, confuse the metaphor of the poplar with the more popular British symbol: the English oak. An oak can live for over a thousand years; a poplar barely lasts a hundred. What makes things worse for the poplar is that it usually develops a hollow core and this brings about its demise (though cuttings may emerge and re-grow into young trees from the stump.)

Britain owes to industrialisation and colonisation its transformation into a global power in the 19th century. In the 21st century, however, these two phenomena are both gone from Britain. Brexiteers still think that, because Britain is standing tall in the world taiga, it must be a formidable player. Yet, once you realise that the core of the poplar is hollow, you come to accept that the UK has a more limited role to play in global politics and trade.

In this respect, Britain can learn from small countries like Bulgaria and Denmark. Bulgaria saw the zenith of its power in Europe in the 10th century, while the Vikings conquered Europe in the Middle Ages but have not been heard from since. How popular would it be if Britain joined the poplar club?

Poplar tree (Source: Wikipedia)

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Notes:
1. Timeline: This article is part of a series of original #BrexitMetaphors published daily. A total of 151 have been posted so far and another 10 Brexit Metaphors will be published every day until the planned Brexit date of March 29, 2019.
2. Disclosure: The author has a master's degree in European Integration. He also thinks he knows a bit about business, economics, entrepreneurship, China, history, geography, nature, science and Rubik Cubes.
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