Brexit and Donald Trump’s commonality
Brexit and Donald Trump's commonality
Cancel Trump’s State Visit: A British Perspective
In the wake of Donald Trump’s election as President of the United States, comparisons were drawn between his victory and the UK’s decision to leave the European Union, with him even calling himself “Mr Brexit” during his campaign. While there are certainly shared themes of populism and anti-establishment sentiment, it is important to recognize the unique complexities of each situation. However, a successful British petition has emerged that showcases the significant affinities between the two events.
Launched on January 29th, the petition urges the British government to cancel President Trump’s planned summer state visit to the UK. State visits are considered an honor, granted to very few leaders and involve a stay with the monarch. The petition argues that the visit would be an embarrassment to Queen Elizabeth II. Surpassing 1.4 million signatories and still climbing, this petition has far exceeded the required 100,000 signatures necessary to prompt a debate on the issue in Parliament. Despite the growing opposition, the British government has stood firm in its decision to proceed with the visit.
The enthusiasm for the petition against Trump’s state visit is not uniform across the country. The Economist has analyzed the geographical distribution of petition signatories in relation to support for the “Remain” campaign in the EU referendum. The findings reveal a striking correlation between the two sets of figures. Proportions of signatories are highest in cosmopolitan cities such as Brighton, Bristol, and Cambridge, all of which have large populations of university-educated, white-collar residents who were predominantly in favor of remaining in the EU. Conversely, signatories are markedly lower in older, post-industrial areas that strongly supported Brexit, such as Wolverhampton, Redcar, and Doncaster.
These correlations provide valuable insights into the current political landscape. Firstly, the opposition to Trump seen in the United States may be mirrored in other countries as well. Secondly, the demographic makeup of Trump’s support and support for Brexit reveals shared characteristics between the two movements, particularly in their “pull up the drawbridge” mentality. Thirdly, the divide seen in the Brexit referendum was not a one-off event; there remains a clear distinction in the political behavior between cosmopolitan and nativist regions. Lastly, there is a considerable number of British individuals, many of whom reside in or near the capital, who may be inclined to protest and cause disruption when President Trump visits London. It is safe to say that he should not expect a warm welcome.
In conclusion, while caution should be exercised in drawing direct parallels between Trump’s victory and Brexit, there are undoubtedly shared themes and sentiments that have resonated with the British public. The overwhelming support for the petition to cancel Trump’s state visit reflects the differences in opinion across the country and highlights the ongoing political divide between cosmopolitan areas and post-industrial regions. Trump’s visit to London will likely be met with protests and resistance, and it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the concerns raised by the petition and the wider public sentiment.