Sovereignty Is King.

In 1642 a campaign began between two sides of an argument: Where sovereignty lays. Is it the king or the parliament? In 2016 a referendum was held which lay a similar question. Is sovereignty in London or Brussels?

The king paid a capital price for his stubbornness. When the head left the trunk, Parliament was sovereign. In 1992 that same parliament ceded part of its sovereignty. Now arises the question whether that same parliament will see it returned in. 

There is a very imperishable quality in the English character that explains why this contentious point of sovereignty nettles the British where it merely tickles the French. Perhaps the British prize their sovereignty the greatest because of the Europeans they have had it the longest. And perhaps the Europeans have, by nature and history, a more acquiescent and flexible nature to power structures. Consider, Germany wasn't a country until 1871. Italy the same year. The Benelux countries where part of first the Holy Roman Empire, then the Austro-Hungarian. France was amputated by England until 1558 and had had been invaded in both world wars. England, was invaded last in the ubiquitously known 1066. Alors, is it possible the English don't like to be ruled over by any but the English and the Europeans don't take it so much to heart? However, notice, I say English. There is the Scottish question.

Is it a surprise Scotland has voted by 62% by district unanimously for the EU? No, for this reason. Invaded countries don't mind the supranational over them. Independent countries abhor it. Scotland wasn't a properly its own country until around 1338 and then lost that independence formally in the Act of Union in 1707. Scotland is pro-EU because it has known union already. The same is true for Northern Ireland. 

Thus, England. Proud Albion! Independent since 1066, the first taste of elective sovereignty in 1649. Germany last unified in 1990. Is it a small wonder the English prize their independence so? 

But this referendum wasn't just about sovereignty. Immigration. Putting aside the fact Europe is connected by land mass and so travel between states there is easier and more accepted. And putting aside the theory of island nations being more xenophobic, as exemplified by the Japanese, what is it in the English that adores the national and dislikes the foreign? From the Tory rural to the Romford geezer. Why do the English flinch for foreignness? I don't pretend a comprehensive answer here. Perhaps foreignness presents a threat to long held cherished independence? Perhaps the absence of the foreign in much of England's history compared to the fluidity of European borders and orders, makes the English fearful. Fearful of new orders, new systems to which Europe has old hat with. The English cherish their old ways, and who knows perhaps this stubbornness has its advantage. 

Now, you may say a word or two concerning the Nordic countries. Were they not also largely independent? Well, yes but Norway is not part of the EU and Sweden and Denmark still retain their currency. Finland, part of the EU and the Euro, was part of Russia until 1917. So, those that have been the longest independent value their independence more than those whose concept of independence, unification and sovereignty are more recent in history. Is it thus any great wonder that the head of the supranational organisation of the EU is headed in Brussels, the capital of a country independent only since 1830?

The UK's giant leap into the unknown was a risk the generally risk adverse English retreat from. When the choice touches the jugular of their ancient rights, an Englishman thinks the risk worth it. 

In 1649 Oliver Cromwell created a new concept, perhaps pregnant in many minds at the time. In 2016 Britain is reminded of this. And yet even though all the rational arguments clearly demonstrate remaining in the EU, and given that few of those who chose leave had much in the way of cogent argument, Britain has voted leave and did so because their gut told them to. A gut constructed by a history where sovereignty is king.