The Real Reason Why Great Britain Joined EU in the First Place

Disclaimer: Just joking, you wally!

A still from Yes Minister. (Photo Courtesy: YouTube Screenshot)

Brexit is no longer speculation, but a reality. 51.89 percent of the British population decided they no longer wanted to be a part of the EU.

While Pro-Remain and Pro-Leave factions of Britain continue to debate pros and cons of Brexit, 80’s satirical British sitcom, Yes Minister, with its very British humour has an insight or two on why the UK joined the EU in the first place:

“TO DIVIDE AND RULE!”

In an episode of the TV series the characters of Rt Hon Jim Hacker MP and his Permanent Secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby, whose politics are usually at loggerheads are seen discussing Britain’s sly “diplomatic” intentions.

Britain has had the same foreign policy objective for at least the last 500 years-to create a disunited Europe-Dutch against the Germans, Germans against the French, French and Italians against the Germans, French against the Germans and Italians. We tried to break it up from the outside but it wouldn’t work. Now that we’re inside we can make a pig’s breakfast of the whole thing.

Sir Humphrey Appleby tells Jim Hacker

“Surely we’re committed towards the European ideal. If not, why are we pressing for an increase in membership?” Jim Hacker asks, in Britain’s defence.

With a sly smile, Appleby lets him onto the secrets of diplomacy:

The more members it has, the more arguments it can stir up, the more futile and impotent it becomes-we call it diplomacy, Minister.