Nick Cohen, a columnist for the Observer writes that the first duty of the leaders and citizens of a democracy is to defend its elections from subversion. Yet a country that boasts of giving the world free parliaments feels no obligation even to look at allegations that Russia subverted British democracy. The government and opposition are compromised and want the scandal closed down. As does an embarrassed rightwing press and a shamefully negligent BBC.
“Suggest we send a note of support to the ambassador,” wrote Andy Wigmore, press officer for Nigel Farage’s Leave.EU just before the Brexit referendum. Documents seen by the Observer suggest that Arron Banks, who gave the campaign the largest political donation in British history, agreed.
Whether a note was sent or not, Leave.EU supported the Kremlin line that it was not interfering in British politics. Pause to think about the scene described by Carole Cadwalladr in today’s Observer. The demagogues behind a lavishly funded campaign, whose claim to be patriots was accepted by 52% of the electorate, appeared to be scrambling to provide cover for a hostile foreign power.
Why? – Read more here
