The Brexit House

Late August, 2019. As talk of a prorogation of parliament overwhelms the news cycle, a cast of London guests are holidaying in an Edwardian family house at the seaside in Dover. Little do they know just how this parliamentary strife will affect their own lives over the coming days...

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 28 August 2023
Publisher: Troubador Publishing

As the political landscape of the United Kingdom was engulfed by discussions of a potential prorogation of parliament, a group of London-based guests found themselves enjoying a seaside vacation in an Edwardian family house in Dover. Little did they realize that the events unfolding in the halls of power would soon have a profound impact on their own lives.

Among the guests was Cecily Hayes, a left-wing liberal with a deep affection for the England she cherished. Determined to understand the essence of the nation she loved, Cecily embarked on a literary journey, traversing the works of John Foxe, Milton, Defoe, Wollstonecraft, and Blake. Her quest was to unravel the very fabric of what it meant to be English in the face of the impending Brexit.

Contrasting Cecily's perspective was her friend Diana, a staunch advocate for Brexit, who believed that it held the key to rescuing her England from cultural extinction. Diana saw Brexit as an opportunity to reclaim the nation's identity and preserve its heritage against the encroachment of globalization.

Adding to the mix was Cecily's German-Togolese husband, Florian, who was consumed by the false promises of neoliberalism in the Americas. Florian believed that the free market would bring prosperity and equality to all, but his idealism was often clouded by the realities of economic inequality and exploitation.

Among the guests was Cecily's nephew, a public-school educated young man who idolized Jacob Rees-Mogg, the prominent conservative politician. Cecily's nephew saw Brexit as a chance to restore the nation's sovereignty and return it to its traditional values.

Lastly, Cecily's brother-in-law, a financial adviser, and her wealthy sister, Victoria, were also present. Victoria harbored secret plans for the family house that, if Cecily only knew, would upend her entire world.

As the holiday unfolded, the tensions and struggles within the house mirrored the political turmoil in the country. The guests found themselves caught up in a web of confusion, delusion, fury, and betrayal, as the realities of Brexit began to unravel.

Cecily's literary journey took her through a tumultuous period in English history, from the Reformation to the Industrial Revolution. She discovered that the England of her heart had been shaped by a complex tapestry of historical events, cultural influences, and political ideologies. Through her readings, Cecily began to see Brexit not as a simple political decision but as a manifestation of deeper societal divisions and cultural tensions.

As the holiday drew to a close, Cecily and her fellow guests left the family house with a newfound appreciation for the complexities of the Brexit debate. They had witnessed firsthand the impact of political decisions on the lives of ordinary people and realized that the future of their beloved England was far from certain.

In conclusion, the story of Brexit England serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of political decisions on the lives of individuals and communities. It highlights the need for open dialogue, empathy, and understanding as we navigate the uncertain waters of a rapidly changing world. As Cecily Hayes embarked on her literary quest, she discovered that the England of her heart was not a fixed entity but a dynamic and evolving landscape shaped by a rich history and a diverse range of perspectives. The Brexit debate revealed the deep divisions within society and the urgent need for a collective effort to find common ground and build a brighter future for all.

Weight: 384g
Dimension: 129 x 198 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781803137421