by Rab Bruce’s Spider

Projection of power seems to be something of an obsession with some Unionists, particularly MPs and journalists. In recent weeks, we have heard how the two new aircraft carriers will allow the UK to project its power anywhere in the world, while there have been claims that a new Royal Yacht would act as a symbol of Britain’s power wherever it docked.

Now, to be fair, these statements are probably true. Whether those symbols would be appreciated by the people seeing them is another matter. It is widely acknowledged in military circles that aircraft carriers are offensive, not defensive, weapons of war, so the chances are that the intention is to project the UK’s power onto nations we wish to bomb or intimidate. Gunboat diplomacy seems to be very dear to the hearts of the UK Establishment.

This obsession with appearing powerful is clearly a hangover from the days of Empire which far too many people seem unable, and indeed unwilling, to shake off.

The thing is that individuals who go around trying to prove how tough they are often tend to be bullies, or attempting to overcome their own feelings of inadequacy, or both. It’s hard to dismiss the thought that this analogy can be extended to the UK. Worse, the realities of the Brexit negotiations have revealed the paucity of Britain’s actual influence, which may explain why so many British Nationalists are seeking solace in expensive and unnecessary prestige objects. The Emperor may have no clothes, but at least he can sail around in a big ship and try to intimidate people into doing what he wants.