I have always hated the anglophobia that regularly expresses itself in French society. The English are both a great people and a great nation.
Twice, during the two world wars, they helped to save our country. I love their culture, their language, and their political system made of reasonable bipartisanship and alternation, which should inspire us as we seek a 6th Republic.
Along with the Latins, the Germans, the Slavs, and the Finno-Ugrians, they have shaped European history since the dawn of humanity.
It goes without saying that if I had been of voting age in 1972, I would have enthusiastically said yes to Great Britain (with Ireland) entering the Common Market.
However, it must be admitted: the English have never played the European game. Margaret Thatcher’s “I want my money back” is the symbol of this desire to slow European construction by acting from within. Competent and active English European officials have played an important role in slowing integration policies in this regard.
Why? Probably because – as General De Gaulle often reminded us – the English are drawn towards the open seas and the United States for cultural and historical reasons.
In any case, you can’t make a donkey drink if it isn’t thirsty.
Thus, Brexit might not be the disaster it was announced to be, but rather a responsible political stance. As far as I’m concerned, it doesn’t bother me.
As a Radical Leftist, I am a federalist, and I prefer a Europe without England that progresses in its integration to a confederation without any project with our English friends.
This would be an opportunity to revitalize the concept of concentric circles in Europe, with a core Europe (the countries of the Treaty of Rome plus a few others like Spain and Portugal…) that could evolve without hindrance towards federalism.
In summary, I really like the English, but not necessarily in Europe!
by Patrick Mottard, president of PRG 06
