OPINION:
The elite ruling-class across the world are throwing themselves pity parties and acting like spoiled schoolchildren after U.K. voters elected to withdraw from the European Union.
Prime Minister David Cameron resigned after the vote, refusing to lead his party and nation through what’s going to be two-years of negotiations with the EU. It was the ultimate hissy fit given that Mr. Cameron was the one who pushed for the referendum after he couldn’t heal the divisions within his own party on the issue.
Mr. Cameron kicked the can down the road — just like politicians do — only to be bowled over by the final vote. But, instead of manning up and leading the U.K. through what’s bound to be a messy few years, he’s decided to waive all personal responsibility and retire comfortably to private life. He won’t sign the official EU divorce papers, instead letting his successor handle it, whomever that may be.
Leaders in the EU are also throwing temper tantrums. They let their gut reactions get ahead of their heads and told the U.K. they’d have to leave the EU as soon as this week — even if the U.K. didn’t have a prime minister to conduct the negotiations. On Sunday, EU members agreed they would have to wait at least until a new prime minister is named before they can initiate the withdrawal process.
What a concession!
What the EU should be doing is looking to preserve itself amid this upheaval — and that means addressing and taking on some painful reforms.
The EU, at its heart, was only supposed to be a trade agreement between nations of goods and capital. It turned into one that governed people, borders and imposed regulations.
To preserve itself, the EU needs to get back to its simple, financial roots. Instead of taking the news indignantly, leaders within the EU should be looking to renegotiate with the fifth-largest economy in the world, Great Britain. Other countries may demand as much, and it’s well within their rights.
Lastly — and most importantly — the president of the United States needs to lead.
Not surprisingly, he too scolded the U.K. — much like a father would to an unruly child — saying that Britain will now “move to the back of the queue” on trade. Mr. Obama has long been a fan of global organizations and prefers to lead from behind.
But that’s hasn’t worked out too well for him, and he most certainly shouldn’t be doing it now. He should be looking to get the U.S. into the forefront of these negotiations, not only for our ally, but for ourselves as well.
The Wall Street Journal in its editorial page Monday, recommended that Mr. Obama immediately open U.S. negotiations with both the EU and U.K.
“A two track trade negotiation would help the British in their negotiation over new terms of the trade with the European Union by giving Britain the leverage of a U.S. alternative,” the Journal writes. “U.S.-British talks could also prod Brussels to move faster and rebuff the French protectionism that is infecting the EU-U.S. Talks.”
It’s time for the politicians — across the globe — to stop whining about the Brexit vote and start seizing on its many opportunities.
The people of Britain demanded action and accountability from establishment elites when they voted to leave the EU. It’s now time for those elites to start to start working for them.
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