EU is a shark cage, but the sharks are on the outside

By George ILIEV
Brexit Metaphor No 102. 

Brexiteers are right: the EU is a cage that keeps countries inside it and unable to roam the world's oceans. But why do countries stay inside the cage? Couldn't all of them stage a referendum and leave the EU?

They could, except that they would end up swimming in an ocean full of sharks: USA, China, Russia, India. The EU cage allows the member states inside it to engage with the sharks outside without being eaten. 

Shark cage (Source: Wikipedia)

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Notes:
1. Timeline: This article is part of a series of original #BrexitMetaphors published daily. A total of 102 have been posted so far and another 59 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.
3. Invitation: If you'd like to contribute to the debate, please leave a comment below or re-tweet the blogpost link.
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5. Thank you for being here!

Britain is a purring puma that thinks it's a roaring lion

By George ILIEV
Brexit Metaphor No 58

Some cats roar; others purr. Only the biggest 4 feline species can roar: lions, tigers, leopards and jaguars. The smaller felines can only purr. This is tough luck for the puma, which is a big cat but can only purr.

Britain is a puma that thinks it's a lion: some Brits still believe that the UK is a global power. So if it wanted to roar, would a roar be heard? 

Unfortunately, the spots for roaring felines have mostly been taken on the world stage by the USA, the EU, China and possibly one day India. This means all other countries are purring felines... which may mew at most if discontent. But the roaring lions may not even hear these mews: "Mew me if you can?".

Puma / Cougar (Source: Wikipedia)

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Notes:
1. Timeline: This article is part of a daily #BrexitMetaphors series, with 103 more Brexit Metaphors to follow until Br: lexit 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, you are welcome to leave a comment below.