Reichstag on the Thames

Comparisons between the Trump regime and Hitler’s Third Reich have become commonplace and invidious. While it is undeniable that there are similarities between their ideology and propaganda techniques (Lügenpresse = “Lying Press” = “Fake News”), it is rash to go further and declare an equivalence. The political philosopher Leo Strauss noticed and formulated the “Argumentum ad Hitlerum”, and described it as a cue that the argument has gone awry. Still, disturbing parallels remain disturbing. But it came as a surprise this morning that Boris Johnson, the current fanatically pro-Brexit British PM, has beaten Darth Realtor to the punch in the would-be autocrat contest.

Johnson has formally requested that the Queen suspend Parliament, which was scheduled to break the second week in September and re-convene on October 9. Johnson’s request was to extend the break until October 14, when the Queen will deliver the traditional “Queen’s Speech” laying out the government’s plans for the year. The Queen’s response to such requests is a formality — after all, she is head of state but not head of government — and it is expected she will comply, although Liberal Democratic MP Jo Swinson has requested that she break with tradition and refuse the request, which is a transparent attempt at an end-run around anti-Brexit factions in her party, Labor, and a significant amount of Tories as well.