Making sure no one is Leffe behind
11:38am Friday, 23rd November 2007
Attention in Brussels is currently focused on the political ramifications of a division in culture and tradition that has seen one of Belgium’s most prominent politicians call the country an accident of history.
It seems that Belgians from Flanders and Belgians from Wallonia are increasingly finding it troublesome living with each other - signified by the continued collapse of talks to form a new coalition government. Indeed, a couple of weeks ago Francophone politicians walked out of a parliamentary vote to split the electoral district of Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde, bringing about the end of the negotiations.
The issue has divided the parties since the election in June, mainly because it could leave French speakers unable to vote for Francophone parties and the walkout came as Belgium notched up its 150th day without a government.
Although the Belgian example is particularly stark, it is worth contrasting with the debate on Britishness that seems to be on the political backburner at the moment. Such fundamental, explicit outcomes of the tensions related to identity may be unlikely in Britain, but it would be great to hear if anyone else reading this has any thoughts along a similar or contrasting vein. For instance, what could this mean for the UK in light of greater focus on the West Lothian question and devolution? Will we have to be more careful, more sensitive approaching this debate?
As this may become prevalent in the run-up to our next election it will certainly be worth keeping an eye on events in Brussels, which for once don’t focus on the supranational entities resident in the city.
It seems that Belgians from Flanders and Belgians from Wallonia are increasingly finding it troublesome living with each other - signified by the continued collapse of talks to form a new coalition government. Indeed, a couple of weeks ago Francophone politicians walked out of a parliamentary vote to split the electoral district of Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde, bringing about the end of the negotiations.
The issue has divided the parties since the election in June, mainly because it could leave French speakers unable to vote for Francophone parties and the walkout came as Belgium notched up its 150th day without a government.
Although the Belgian example is particularly stark, it is worth contrasting with the debate on Britishness that seems to be on the political backburner at the moment. Such fundamental, explicit outcomes of the tensions related to identity may be unlikely in Britain, but it would be great to hear if anyone else reading this has any thoughts along a similar or contrasting vein. For instance, what could this mean for the UK in light of greater focus on the West Lothian question and devolution? Will we have to be more careful, more sensitive approaching this debate?
As this may become prevalent in the run-up to our next election it will certainly be worth keeping an eye on events in Brussels, which for once don’t focus on the supranational entities resident in the city.
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