Brexit Metaphor No 23
Britain was unhappy with some aspects of the functioning of the European Union. But rather than working from inside the EU to champion reform, the UK instead held a referendum in 2016 and opted to leave the EU. Unfortunately, in the process of preparing for Brexit, Britain has discovered this would mean shooting itself in the foot in many ways: economic, political, social, cultural, educational, etc. Many politicians and ordinary people alike are realising that the referendum and the Leave decision were clearly an overreaction: a case of "burning down your house to get rid of the mouse."
"Sometimes the solution is worse than the problem," sang the Pet Shop Boys in their song Twentieth Century. The cure is worse than the disease. Is there a meta-solution to this meta-problem? "Let's stay together," concluded the song. Or in Britain's case, keep chasing the mouse but don't burn down the house!
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| Mouse in the house (Source: Wikipedia) |
Notes:
1. Timeline: This article is part of a #BrexitMetaphors daily series, with 138 more Brexit Metaphors to follow until Brexit day, March 29, 2019.
2. Disclosure: The author has a master's degree in European Integration.
3. Invitation: If you'd like to contribute to the debate, please leave a message below.
1. Timeline: This article is part of a #BrexitMetaphors daily series, with 138 more Brexit Metaphors to follow until Brexit day, March 29, 2019.
2. Disclosure: The author has a master's degree in European Integration.
3. Invitation: If you'd like to contribute to the debate, please leave a message below.
The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.
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