More unity, less division post-Brexit

IN his recent State of the Union address, EC President, Jean-Claude Juncker, warned that the EU is facing an “existential threat” as major splits emerge between eastern and western EU countries following Brexit. He pointedly condemned the murder of a Polish man in Harlow, Essex, as an example of what could happen if Europe doesn’t unite.

Declaring that the next 12 months would be crucial, he claimed that the EU “doesn’t have enough union… leaving scope for galloping populism.” More worryingly, he also alluded to plans for a European travel information system, which could mean British travellers end up paying about £10 to visit the continent post-Brexit. 

Hmm! Juncker speaks of splits and fragmentation but doesn’t realise he (plus Mrs Merkel) bears most responsibility for it. He epitomises so much what is wrong with the EU. Unelected, no mandate for these ideas, no understanding of the electorate. Take his claim that the EU’s in a battle with “galloping populism.” A battle with reality, more like. 

Only he could have been vindictive enough to mention the tragic murder in Essex. Have there been no violent incidents in the EU? Strange how he fails to mention sectarian assaults on immigrants in EU countries which haven’t voted to leave.

People like Juncker are on the wrong side of reality. Never mind, we can all wait to see what Dave thinks of him… in his soon-to-be-rushed-out memoirs. (The same Dave, you’ll recall, who said he wanted to spend more time with his family… if he could remember which pub he left them in.)

Seriously, shouldn’t Juncker have been put out to grass long ago? He was always a loose cannon but is now seriously out of step, and certainly not the man to initiate the changes the EU badly needs.  

Whether you’re an ardent Remainiac or Brexiteer, it’s hard not to find his rantings bizarre. Rather reminds me of a sad Canute-type figure who just can’t contemplate that maybe the EU is fragmenting and he has no control over it. Time to lie down in a dark room, dear…   

Nora Johnson’s thrillers ‘No Way Back,’ ‘Landscape of Lies,’ ‘Retribution,’ ‘Soul Stealer,’ ‘The De Clerambault Code’ (www.nora-johnson.com) available from Amazon in paperback/eBook (€0.89; £0.79) and iBookstore. All profits to Costa del Sol Cudeca cancer charity.