Everyone, apart from Putin and Trump, is reeling from the comments the American Vice-President chose to make to the assembled European leaders. Much of what he said was right wing hubris designed to rile.
I suggest there are three areas where serious attention is merited.
The unheard. Over the past five years I have been studying the decline of British manufacturing and I know this decline is mirrored elsewhere. I have seen that by and large attempts at rebuilding employment have failed. These industrial towns were proud, prosperous places; they have been forgotten and it is hardly surprising that those living there are angry. They need to be heard.
Immigration. War and climate change are displacing millions of people and hardly surprisingly some head for safer and more prosperous places. This cannot be ignored, but the answer is not fences and cruelty.
Defence. America is fed up with defending Europe. Perhaps they are justified in saying Europe must step up to the mark.
All of this will hurt, but I suggest it can’t be ignored.
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