This Brexit election is another symptom of a global order in decline

Europe is no longer a beacon of stability, but Britain will remain reliant on its shared values, Brexit or no Brexit

Arguably the most surreal event during the general election campaign is scheduled for the week before polling day. On 3 December, Nato leaders, including Donald Trump and Boris Johnson, will gather at a Buckingham Palace reception. The next day, the Nato chiefs will meet in a luxury – but thankfully non-Trump-owned – hotel outside Watford. It’s the event where the leaders will discuss big subjects including Syria, Afghanistan, Russia and military burden-sharing – and where none of these big subjects is likely to be solved.

In the not so distant past, a leader fighting an election might have seen an international summit they were hosting as a golden opportunity. The grandeur and importance of such a gathering would mean free publicity from the campaign gods, reminding voters that the incumbent is someone who bestrides the world stage, has the ear of powerful allies, and is at ease with the deepest responsibilities of office. As a prime minister milked the occasion, opponents could only grind their teeth in frustration.

Brexit should be seen as another symptom of this wider fragmentation rather than simply as an insular psychodrama for Britain

Related: John Bercow: Brexit is UK's biggest mistake since second world war

Martin Kettle is a Guardian columnist

The headline and standfirst on this article were amended on 12 November 2019 to better reflect the content of the piece.

Continue reading...