We don’t often “do sport” here at Liberal Democrat Voice – perhaps a reflection of the Editorial Team’s interests – but it would seem strange not to mark last night’s extraordinary events in Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium where an English team put up one of its most memorable performances to win 3-2 against Mexico.
From an English Nationalist (a.k.a. Reform) perspective, it’s obviously a mixed blessing. England win – good – but with a team mostly consisting of people whose families would be on the next available plane out if they could gain power at the next election.
I’d argue though that England’s performance reflects the benefits of a liberal society. For example, it would be hard to argue that Harry Kane hasn’t benefited from freedom of movement, having sharpened his game in the German Bundesliga, or Jude Bellingham with Real Madrid. Admittedly, it’s not real freedom of movement, because they need a work visa following Brexit, but there has always been greater freedom of movement for talent.
Migration over decades has evidently broadened and deepened England’s footballing talent pool – it is noticeable how many members of the England squad are eligible to play for other countries through parents and grandparents. And they choose to play for England, which perhaps demonstrates a level of commitment to shame the racists.
But setting the politics aside, watching as people came together to get behind their team is a reminder of the unifying nature of sport in a world where there are too many people trying to divide us. Hopefully, a few people, especially a few politicians, might have their world view challenged as a result.
Elsewhere, there was another victory for Great Britain over the weekend, this one in Austria.
The Annual Congress of the ALDE (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe) Party took place in Vienna, and with Baroness Sal Brinton term-limited, Baroness Julie Smith was nominated to fill a Vice-Presidential slot to replace her. These days, it isn’t a given that a British candidate will be successful given the growth in member parties and a post-Brexit loss of influence, but Team FIRC (Federal International Relations Committee), led by David Chalmers, got the job done.
Congratulations to Julie, and to the delegation, on a notable achievement!
* Mark Valladares is the Monday Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice.
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3 Comments
GREAT ENGLAND WIN! BOO! on Trump INTERFERING in FIFA rules wanting to overturn the refs red card given to a USA team player. Anger all round at the pathetic FIFA boss agreeing to it.
Another of my rants. ITV media being sold to SKY, OWNED BY USA QUALCAST. A slow creep takeover of UK media by the USA.
It is often remarked that political obsessives, which would include most of us I suppose, are out of touch with the day to day concerns of general public. It follows that an interest in the national game and perhaps the appointment of a LDV sports correspondent is a welcome development in our strategy. As Mark’s comments illustrate, sport provides a lens through which people can reflect on important issues such as immigration and national identity. Personally, I’d like to know whether Declan Rice and Harry Kane, perhaps two of the players less likely to be deported by Reform, have actually applied for the Irish passports that I understand they are entitled to ?