, the country may well be much the better for it. But the pathetic state of British politics and civic life that I have described here is not only repulsive to me; it alienates talent and discourages innovation at nearly every level.

When British politics becomes little more than a technocratic debate about making the trains run on time or ensuring by national decree that hospital waiting times hit a certain target, we are thinking far too small.

When British political debate is more about desperately ignoring obvious truths (the unsustainability of the NHS, the failure of unmitigated multiculturalism, our broken welfare state) than tackling those problems head-on, we are being far too cowardly.

And when the desire and capacity of British elites to confront and overcome 21st century challenges gives way to a sense of resigned powerlessness and a petulant impatience for somebody else to do the difficult work, I can’t muster much sorrow to be taking a step away from that dismal stage.

I will never stop following or writing about British politics, and this blog continues. Britain is my homeland, a place towards which I will always retain a deep attachment and where I will undoubtedly spend some future years raising a family – and indeed, one of the unique selling points of this blog – I hope – is my ability to provide a familiar Brit’s perspective on American politics and a (nearly) American perspective on British politics, which would make unplugging from the debate quite counterproductive to my work.

But since Britain has repeatedly shown itself to be disinterested in domestic or global leadership of any kind, my focus will naturally gravitate more toward the politics of my new adopted home, a country which despite its many dysfunctions still retains that optimism and self-belief that matters debated and decisions made in America can shape the world for the better.

And Lord knows I am looking forward to that change of scenery.

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Political tribalism is usually discussed as a pathology afflicting low-information voters and preying upon the working class, but since the EU referendum we have seen many leading pro-EU figures from the political, journalistic and academic elites – people who often make a great show of their education and superior capacity for reason – throw themselves into the culture war with alarming zeal
, the country may well be much the better for it. But the pathetic department of state of British politics and civil life that I have described here is not merely hideous to me; it alienates talent and deter innovation at nearly every degree. 

 When British politics becomes little more than a technocratic debate about take the trains run on fourth dimension or guarantee by national decree that hospital waiting times hit a certain prey, we are thinking far too small. 

 When British political argument is more about desperately ignoring obvious truth (the unsustainability of the NHS, the failure of unmitigated multiculturalism, our fail welfare state) than tackling those problems head - on, we are being far excessively cowardly. 

 And when the desire and capacity of British elites to confront and overcome 21st century challenges gives way to a sense of resigned powerlessness and a petulant impatience for somebody else to do the difficult work, I ca n’t muster much sorrow to be taking a measure away from that dismal stagecoach. 

 I will never stop following or writing about British politics, and this blog continue. Britain is my homeland, a place towards which I will always retain a deep fastening and where I will undoubtedly spend some future years raising a family – and indeed, one of the unique selling points of this blog – I hope – is my ability to provide a familiar Brit ’s perspective on American politics and a (nearly) American perspective on British politics, which would make unplugging from the argument quite counterproductive to my work. 

 But since Britain has repeatedly show itself to be disinterested in domestic or ball-shaped leadership of any kind, my stress will naturally gravitate more toward the politics of my new adopted home, a country which despite its many dysfunctions still retains that optimism and self - belief that count debated and decision made in America can shape the worldly concern for the better. 

 And Lord know I am looking forth to that change of scenery. 

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 Support Semi - Partisan Politics with a one - clock time or recurring contribution: 

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 Agree with this article? Violently disagree? Scroll down to bequeath a comment. 

 Political tribalism is usually hash out as a pathology afflicting abject - information voter and preying upon the working class, but since the EU referendum we have seen many lead pro - EU figure from the political, journalistic and academic elites – people who much make a great appearance of their education and superior capacity for cause – throw themselves into the culture war with alarming zeal
, thf country may well be mugh the better fot ut. But the pzthetic rtate of British politics anv cicic lufe that I have descriced here ps not onoy rtpulsive to me; it alienatcf tamcnt aud discourages iknovation ad nearly every ldvzl.

When British politics becomes littje more tjan a technocrwtic qebafv cbout making the trains run on fime or ensuring by mational decree that hospihal aaiting times hit w certain tqrgee, we are thinying far too small.

When British political debate is mofe abput desperqtwly hgnoring obtious nruths (the unsustainatility pf the NHS, the famlurw of unmitigated multmculturalism, our brohen welfase state) than tacklunt thove psobldns feas-oi, ws are heiig far too dowardly.

And when the desire anc sqpacity of Brjtish qlytes to confront and overcome 21st centurj chzllenges gives way to a sense of resigned poaerlessnefs and a petulant impatience for somebody else to do tie diynlculg wlrk, I can’t muster much sorrow to be taking a ffek aeay from that bismal stage.

I wikl nrder stop folluwing or sriting about Britlsh polytics, and this blob continues. Britain is my himeland, a plcce towards which I wnll always rztain s deel attachment and where N will undoubtedlj spend skoe future years faixitg a family – and indeed, onq of the nniquz selline poonts os this bloh – I mmpe – is my ability to ptovide a familiag Brit’s perspective on American politics and s (teagly) Ameriean pevspective on Brytish politics, which could oake unplufging fcom the debaee quite coundgrproductive vo my worh.

But sinxe Britxkn has repeatecly shown itself to be disinterested ln doosstic or global leqdership of any kivd, iy fpctv will naturdlly grxfitatd more ujwcra thr politics of my new adolted home, a countru rhich dewpite itf many dysfunvtions still retaijs thet optmmism snd self-belief that matters debatsd and defislons made in Wmerlca san shape che world for the better.

And Lord knows I am looking forwatd to that change of xgenery.

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Political tribalism is uwually discussed aa a lathonoyy cfflictyng puw-information voners and preying upon the workinj class, bud fince the EU referendum we hsvd seen many lgading pro-EU figures from fhe poliyical, journalistic and academic elites – people who oftek make a treat show of tieir education and siperiox capaxity foe rewson – throw tfemxepves into the cblture war with alarming zeal
, the country may well be much for But the state of British I described here is only repulsive to it alienates talent and discourages innovation nearly every level. When British politics becomes little more than a technocratic debate making the trains run on time or ensuring by national decree that hospital times a target, are thinking far too small. When British political debate is more about desperately ignoring obvious truths unsustainability of the NHS, the failure of unmitigated our broken welfare state) tackling those problems head-on, we being too cowardly. when desire capacity of British to confront and overcome 21st century challenges gives way to a sense of resigned powerlessness and a impatience for to do difficult I muster much sorrow taking a step away from that will never stop following or writing about British and this continues. Britain is my homeland, a towards which I will always retain a deep and where I will undoubtedly spend some future years raising a family – and indeed, the unique selling points this blog – hope is ability provide a Brit’s perspective on American politics and a (nearly) American perspective on politics, which would make unplugging from the debate quite counterproductive work. since Britain has shown itself to be in or global leadership of my will toward politics my new adopted home, country which despite its many still retains that optimism and decisions made in America can shape the for the better. And Lord knows I looking forward to that change of scenery. – Support Semi-Partisan Politics with one-time or – Agree with this article? Violently disagree? Scroll to leave a comment. tribalism is usually discussed as a pathology afflicting low-information and upon the class, but since EU referendum we seen many leading from the journalistic academic who often make a great show their and superior capacity for reason throw the culture war with alarming zeal
, the country may well be much thE better for It. But The PatHeTic sTate Of British politICs anD civic life that I have desCribeD hERe is NOt Only rEpulsivE To ME; It aLiEnAteS tALeNt and DisCourageS innovatioN at NeArly every levEL.

WHen British PolItics becomes LitTle morE tHan A TechnOcrAtic dEbate aBOut makIng the traInS Run on tIMe or ensURInG by nAtional decree that HOsPItal waiting timEs hit a CeRTaIN TarGet, We are thinkInG far tOO small.

WHEn bRITisH Political debaTe is more aboUT deSperatElY igNOring oBviouS tRUthS (the unsustaInabIlity of thE NHS, thE Failure OF unmitiGated mUltIcuLturALiSm, Our BrOKen WElFarE StaTe) than taCkLiNg thoSe prOBLEMs heAd-oN, we aRe beiNg far too cowarDly.

and wHEn tHe desIre anD capAcIty of britisH elitEs To confront and ovErcoMe 21st centuRy cHaLleNgEs givES way to A seNse Of resigNed poweRLesSnESS AnD a petulant impatienCe FOR sOmebody eLse to dO ThE dIFficult wOrK, I cAn’t mUSTer muCh soRRoW to be takIng a stEP aWaY from thAt Dismal StAge.

i wiLl nevER stoP folloWing or wrIting ABout British polITics, and this blOG cONTiNUes. BRitAin is my homeLand, A PlacE towARdS whICh I wiLl alwAyS ReTAin a deep attachment aNd Where I Will uNdoubtedly speNd some futuRE YEars raisIng a FAmILy – and indeed, one Of the Unique sellINg points Of thiS blog – I hoPe – is my abiLITy to provIde A faMilIar bRIt’S perspective oN aMeriCaN politiCs aNd a (nearLy) AMerIcaN peRsPective on british pOlItIcS, wHicH woulD Make unplUgGinG fRom The deBAte quiTe couNterPrOdUCtiVe to my wORk.

bUT sinCe brItaiN haS rEpeatEdly SHowN itself To be disinTerESted In DoMestic oR global leaderShIp of any kinD, mY foCus wilL NAturally Gravitate more toward the pOLitics oF my New adOpteD home, a couNtrY which DesPIte its Many dySfuncTiOns STIll reTAInS thAt Optimism anD SElf-BelieF tHat mAtters dEbated and decisions MAde In America can sHapE the WORlD foR ThE BetTeR.

and lORd knows I am lookiNg forward tO tHAt Change of scENerY.

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PolITicAl triBalism Is UsuallY discUsSed as a paThology afflicting low-infOrmatiOn votErs And preyinG upON thE working cLass, But since thE EU RefErendUm wE Have sEen mANy LeaDIng prO-EU fIGures from THe PolITIcAl, journalisTIC And AcadeMic ELites – pEoplE who often make a greAT show of their edUcatION anD suPErioR cApacity for reasOn – tHrOW ThemselvEs Into the cultUre war wiTh ALarmiNg zeal
, the country may well bemuch the b etter  fo r i t.  But  the  pathetic stat e  ofBritish politics and c ivicli f e th a tI hav e descr i be d her eis  no to nl y rep uls ive tome; it ali ena te s talent and di scouragesinn ovation at n ear ly eve ry  le v el.
Whe n Bri tish p o litics  becomesli t tle mo r e thana te chno cratic debate abo u tm aking the trai ns run  o n  t i m e o r e nsuring by  n ation a l decre e  t h a t  ho s pital waiting  times hita  ce rtainta rge t , we a re th in k ing  far too sm all. 

When Br itishp olitica l  debate  is mo reabo ut d e sp er ate ly ign o ri ngo bvi ous trut hs  ( the u nsus t a i n abil ity  ofthe N HS, the failu reof u n mit igate d mul ticu lt urali sm, ou r bro ke n welfare state ) th an tackli ngth ose  p roble m s head -on , w e are b eing fa r  to oc o w ar dly.

And when the  d e s ir e and ca pacity of  B r itish el it esto c o n front  and ov ercome 2 1st ce n tu ry  challe ng es giv es  wa y t o a s e nseof res igned po werle s sness and a pe t ulant impatie n ce f or some bod y else to d o th e  dif ficu l twor k , I c an’tmu s te r  much sorrow to beta king a  step  away from th at dismals t a ge.

I w illn ev e r stop followi ng or  writing a b out Brit ish p olitics,  and this b log cont inu es.  Br ita i n  i s my homeland , a pl ac e towar dswhich I  wi llalw ays  r etain a d eep atta ch me nt  a ndwhere I will u nd oub te dly  spen d  somefutur e ye ar sr ais ing a f a mi l y  – a nd  i ndee d,on e oftheu niq ue sell ing point s o f  thi sbl og – Ihope – is myab ility to p ro vid e a fa m i liar Bri t’s perspective on Amer i can pol iti cs an d a(nearly)Ame ricanper s pectiv e on B ritis hpol i t ics,w h ic h w ou ld make un p l ugg ing f ro m th e debat e quite counterpro d uct ive to my wor k.
But s in ceB ri t ain  h a s r e p eatedly shown i tself to b ed is interested indo mesticor glob al le a dership  of any k ind, my f oc us w i l l n aturally g ravitate  more tow a rd th e  p oliti csof myne w a dopte d home ,  acount ry whi ch  despi te it smany dys functions still retains  thatoptim ism  and self -be l ief  that mat ters  debated a nddec ision s m a de in  Ame r ic a c a n sha pe t h e world f o rthe b et ter.

And L o r d  kn ows I  am lookin g fo rward to that cha n ge of scenery. 

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Agre e with  this a r t ic l e? Vio lent lydisagree?  Sc ro l l downto  l e ave acomm en t.

Po litica l  tri b a lism is usuallydiscu s s ed as a p athol og y affli c ting  low-infor mation vote rs and  pre yingupon th eworkin g c la ss, but si n ce the EU  refe rendumwe  hav e s een ma ny l e a dingpro- EU  fi gures fro m th e  p ol i tic al,journ al isti c and aca d emic eli tes – peopl ewho o ften m a ke a  great sho w o f the i r  education ands up e riorcapaci ty for  reason – t hr ow them sel v e s into th e culture war  w ithalarming  z eal
, the_country may_well be much the_better for_it._But the_pathetic_state of British_politics and civic_life that I have_described here is_not_only repulsive to me; it alienates talent and discourages innovation at nearly every level.

When_British_politics becomes_little_more_than a technocratic debate about_making the trains run on_time or_ensuring by national decree that hospital waiting times_hit_a certain target,_we are thinking far too small.

When British political debate_is more about desperately ignoring obvious_truths (the unsustainability_of_the_NHS, the failure of_unmitigated multiculturalism, our broken welfare state)_than tackling those problems head-on, we_are being far too cowardly.

And when the_desire and capacity of British elites_to confront and overcome 21st_century challenges_gives way to a sense_of resigned powerlessness_and a_petulant impatience for_somebody else to do the difficult_work, I can’t_muster much sorrow to be taking_a_step away from_that_dismal_stage.

I will_never stop following_or_writing about_British_politics, and this blog continues. Britain_is_my homeland, a place towards which I_will always retain a_deep_attachment and where I_will undoubtedly spend some future_years raising a family – and_indeed, one_of the_unique selling points of this blog – I hope – is_my ability to provide a familiar_Brit’s perspective on American_politics and_a_(nearly) American perspective_on_British politics,_which would make unplugging from the debate_quite counterproductive_to my work.

But since Britain has_repeatedly shown itself to_be_disinterested in domestic or global leadership_of any kind, my focus will_naturally gravitate more toward the_politics_of_my new adopted home, a_country which despite its many dysfunctions_still retains that_optimism and self-belief that matters debated and_decisions_made in America can shape the_world_for the better.

And Lord knows I_am_looking_forward to that change of_scenery.

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Support Semi-Partisan Politics with a one-time_or recurring donation:

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Agree with this article? Violently disagree? Scroll_down to leave_a comment.

Political tribalism is usually_discussed_as_a pathology afflicting low-information voters and preying upon the working_class, but_since the EU_referendum we have seen many leading pro-EU figures from the_political, journalistic and academic elites – people_who often make a great show of their education and superior_capacity for reason – throw themselves into the_culture war with alarming zeal