Ivan the Terrible.
Sir Ivan Rogers quit as Britain's ambassador
to Brussels last week. Apparently he's upset that the prime minister doesn't do what he
tells her. Sorry, but who's in charge here?
Sir Ivan had a big hand in David Cameron's EU
"renegotiation". A staunch Europhile, he reportedly blocked even
the tiny changes suggested by the last PM's team. So I suppose we Leavers should
be grateful: Sir Ivan unwittingly helped as win.
Unlike David Cameron, though, Sir Ivan didn't
resign after losing the referendum. Instead, he has used his perch as Britain's
champion in Brussels to talk
Britain down.
For all his faults, David Cameron knew that
his mandate ultimately came from the people. Officials, however, often have no
such awareness.
The FCO, in particular, seems to pursue its
own institutional agenda. That's deeply problematic – not just because it
doesn't reflect what voters want, but because it prevents effective
diplomacy.
British diplomats were blindsided by both
Brexit and Trump because they never thought either could happen. Their political
preferences clouded their strategic vision.
Officials need to buy into Brexit, whatever
their personal beliefs. Those who can't should follow Sir Ivan's belated
lead.
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