Quiet Riot What is Britain's place in the world?
Feb 14, 2025
In this conversation, Michael Peel, FT science editor and author, shares his insights on Britain’s identity crisis post-Brexit. He argues that nostalgia fuels the UK's dysfunctional politics and emphasizes the need for political clarity. Peel critiques the empty promises of the Brexit campaign and discusses how Britain's past has overshadowed its present potential. He also highlights the missed opportunities in managing natural resources like North Sea oil, drawing a stark contrast with Norway's wealth fund success.
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Rookie Reporter
- Michael Peel's first job at the Financial Times involved covering Michael Portillo's loss in the 1997 election.
- This seemingly minor assignment gave Peel an early career lesson about political expectations.
Brexit's Irrationality
- Britain's Brexit decision was economically irrational, prioritizing sovereignty over financial stability.
- This reflects a wider trend in politics to avoid discussing trade-offs and downsides.
Brexit's Corrosive Campaigning
- Brexit's campaign was corrosive because it avoided acknowledging downsides.
- This dishonesty reflects a broader political trend of infantilizing voters by not discussing trade-offs.
