After Brexit, Britain Struggles With Chilcot Report

FEATURING JULIEN MERCILLE – Before the United Kingdom could recover from the political shock of the yes vote to leave the European Union, another massive controversy has hit. The 2.6 million word report into Britain’s role in the Iraq War was finally released. Written by John Chilcot, the report is a damning indictment of former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s role in joining the US in the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

In between Brexit and the Chilcot report, a number of other things have happened. Labor Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, widely considered one of the most progressive and popular political leaders in the country, has faced a serious attempt to oust him out of power after being accused of anti Semitism. And, Nigel Farage, leader of the ultra right-wing UK Independence Party, who led the Leave campaign, has resigned. And of course, lest we forget, Prime Minister David Cameron announced his resignation immediately after the Brexit vote, saying he would step down in October.

Julien Mercille, lecturer at University College Dublin, Ireland, and the author of a number of books including The Political Economy and Media Coverage of the European Economic Crisis: The Case of Ireland; Europe’s Treasure Ireland: Deepening Neoliberalism, Austerity, and Crisis; and Cruel Harvest: US Intervention in the Afghan Drug Trade.