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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Comment
Martin Kettle

What would Britain look like today if we’d chosen to follow the roads not taken?

Illustration by Sébastien Thibault/The Guardian
Illustration by Sébastien Thibault/The Guardian Illustration: Sebastien Thibault/The Guardian

What might have happened if Britain had … But where do you go with that thought? Especially in such grim times as these. If only we had voted against Brexit, perhaps. Or been better prepared for Covid. Gripped the climate crisis more ruthlessly. The list of missed moments and might-have-beens in our recent past is dauntingly long.

But always remember this. Might-have-beens are not always more benign options. Missed opportunities can look very different from the Guardian reader-pleasing list above. If only Britain had … Not joined the EU in the first place. Not imposed a Covid lockdown at all. Sent the Windrush generation back. Kept on digging the coal to fire the power stations.

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