Despite Brexit, England could still end up winners
While Brexit has made much of the world shakes its head at the UK, their sporting teams might just be able to bring back some of the glory if they play it right, writes UK correspondent Stephen Drill.
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I’m not sure if I will be able to stay in the UK after this weekend.
It might all become too much.
There’s a chance that the miserable, moaning Brits will be able to claim not just the cricket World Cup, but the rugby World Cup title too.
That would be twice in a year.
There are people actually smiling over here this week.
As the leaves turn to shades of orange, red and brown and the winter coats are pulled out of the cupboard, usually a pall of grumbling gloom descends.
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Not this week however, as some fanatics consider paying £50,000 ($A93,000) for a ticket to the World Cup final in Japan, which is due to be played Saturday night 8pm AEDT.
Prince Harry managed to snag a seat, with Buckingham Palace so excited they sent out a press release to announce his attendance.
That England beat Australia on the way to the final in both the cricket and rugby World Cups adds insult to the injury.
A second World Cup, if it played out to script overnight, would be a Christmas present for the British.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson received his Christmas gift early in the form of a general election on December 12.
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Labour finally voted for the poll this week, after three times rejecting the option of giving voters a say.
The change of heart is curious, with all polls pointing towards a Conservative victory across the board.
However, logic doesn’t seem to be in oversupply in the Labour Party, who want to close private schools, nationalise industry and take a slice of major companies in what even they call a “radical” campaign, without realising the irony.
There’s also a huge battleground over the National Health Service, the publicly funded free service, in the campaign.
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Labour argues the NHS will be opened up to the United States after Brexit under a free trade deal.
The Conservatives are promising that won’t happen, with British people looking at the NHS with the same fondness as a kind grandmother that always bakes a chocolate cake every time they visit.
However, ignorance is bliss. It is the only system they know and it simply does not work.
A doctor’s appointment can take two weeks so emergency departments are overrun with minor ailments wasting precious resources that could be used for more serious cases.
It’s one area that should reform but there is no political will to do so.
The election has come about because parliament refused to pass Mr Johnson’s Brexit deal.
At dinner parties across the country people are trying not to talk about Brexit, but inevitably half an hour later it comes up with passionate views on either side.
The fervent support for or against is almost like the crowd will be for the England and South Africa final.
The match starts at 9am on Saturday in the UK, with pubs putting on more kegs due to the expected demand.
I might have to go down to my local to cheer on the South Africans.
Stephen Drill is a UK correspondent for News Corp.
Originally published as Despite Brexit, England could still end up winners
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