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When almost nothing works: A German technical term from the energy industry describes the British crisis year 2022.
“Take back control” was the Brexit slogan. Nevertheless, the “dark doldrums” made it from the EU internal market to the English-speaking world. The slightly cryptic sound is more likely to be associated with a depressive mood. But in this sense it fits quite well with the current general weather situation in the kingdom.
Because to claim that the past year was under a lucky star strains even British understatement. There was so much coming and going in Downing Street that it was best not to roll up the red carpet at all.
Three Premiers in three months
In just 45 days, Liz Truss managed to crash Britain’s economy before she quietly had to retire. The departure of Boris Johnson, on the other hand, was more spectacular. For a few hours, there was almost a fear that he would barricade himself in government buildings in the Ivory Coast, like the former African ruler Laurent Gbagbo once did.
In the end it worked without the use of UN blue helmets. Although Johnson left the political scene slightly battered, unlike many of his fellow citizens, he is not directly affected by poverty. In the past three months alone, he is said to have earned well over a million francs with funny speeches.
Everyday life in Britain is less fun at the moment: stay at home, avoid sports and walks. The health authorities warned a few days ago. This was after the nurses and border officials as well as the ambulance drivers stopped working.
But even at home, the mood doesn’t really want to rise. Anyone who didn’t order their Christmas parcels in the summer didn’t find any presents under the Christmas tree, because the postal workers also went on strike in December.
The Missing Queen
For the first time in this annus horribilis, the British had to do without even the comforting words of the Queen. The Queen’s “Better times are coming” speeches have been part of the British Christmas ritual for decades like turkey and gingerbread.
And the son still hasn’t really found time to fill the vacuum left by his mother. When the newly crowned king isn’t fussing over a fountain pen, he’s trying to keep his dysfunctional family together.
The real victims of the “dark doldrums”
The accusation from California that the son and daughter-in-law had been thrown at the predators would call the child and adult protection authorities into action in many countries. In the UK, however, public sympathy for Harry and Meghan was limited after the release of their Netflix documentary of the same name.
Especially by those who literally live in “dark doldrums”. Those Brits who have to choose between heating and eating these days and who don’t collect 100 million francs for their tale of woe.