Since the Brexit referendum vote in the summer of 2016 the conservative and right-wing press in the United Kingdom has been at the forefront of those reviving the country’s global ambitions. In recent months these grand plans and dreams of Empire 2.0 have repeatedly turned to Ireland and the revanchist belief that the island nation can be enticed or intimidated into some sort of anti-EU alliance with the UK. Much of this theory is based upon a bizarre reading of Irish and British history, a mythologised past where Britain acted as a benevolent – and even paternalistic – partner with its neighbour. Thus eight centuries of invasion, occupation, annexation and colonisation become the natural, and excusable, consequences of Greater England’s need for lebensraum in north-western Europe.
The screengrabs below from articles published over the last twenty-four hours by the Daily Telegraph, the newspaper of the British establishment, go a long way to illustrate this frame of mind; and the madness gripping the body politic in Britain. It may be a small minority of ministers, politicians and journalists who believe that the threat of renewed conflict in the UK-administered north-east of Ireland, and the socio-economic consequences of Brexit, might eventually lead to the greater part of the island seeking political union with the United Kingdom. But they aren’t exactly shy about indulging that hope.
AN SIONNACH FIONN 
I think this Brexit Fantasy from recently retired Morning Ireland journalist & anchor Cathal Mac Coille tells us all that we need to know! ‘Fog in the channel – Continent cut off’ – https://twitter.com/CMacCoille/status/898071909627199489
LikeLike
I also love the expression of incredulity on Michel Barnier’s face under the headline “Britain is fighting to save Ireland from an EU imposed hard border!” Priceless!
LikeLike
“Yes, ruling by fooling, is a great British art with great Irish fools to practice on”.Let’s hope the irish have wised up since Connolly’s day!!
LikeLike
Those who wield propaganda often fall victim to it themselves. These delusional headlines are proof of that.
LikeLike
I think that’s my late uncle Kevin in the blue car. He was a Garda Special Branch man: used to wax lyrical about all the overtime the Provos got him: who else could afford a nice car like that in the border area before Sean Quinn came along?
LikeLike
LOL!
LikeLike
Rather the opposite, I suspect.
Brexit-supporters are Little Englanders. Many of them would like to add the Irish in Britain to the excluded and would be happy to get rid of Northern Ireland too.
LikeLike
Now try imagining a headline that reads “The UK is becoming less hospitable for Northern Ireland – it’s time it joined Ireland.” Not &^%$#@ likely. However, Fleet Street is always happy to do the Empire’s bidding.
LikeLike
The English have been delusional for a long time – now it’s terminal. Good riddance.
LikeLike