Soon another year will be over. Few at the start of the year would have predicted that the British public would be voting for the UK to leave the EU in the referendum held back in June and even fewer would have reckoned on Donald Trump being elected as the next US President when that vote took place back in November.

I thought long and hard about the issues that were involved before reaching my decisions and for the first time in my life the voting public came up with not one but two verdicts on votes that happen to be more than major and that I happened to agree with. And in neither case, along with most others who give these matters much thought, did I see it coming. Now the dust is beginning to settle, although it is still very early days, I have no reason to change my views and feel even more strongly the right verdicts were reached.

My main two post-Brexit thoughts are regret that the government seems to have been dragging its feet regarding its Brexit plans, in particular triggering “Article 50”, along with a whole plethora of people who should know better who seem intent on derailing the process. The other is that British politics seems to be in a boring phase. Lots has happened of course: Theresa May has taken over from David Cameron as Conservative leader, there has been an unsuccessful coup to oust Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader with the party in disarray, the Lib Dems have gained new heart with its recent by-election victory and the SNP just keep on snarling.

Trump’s victory ought to give Brexiter’s heart. Under Obama and likely under Clinton, Britain’s post-Brexit relationship with the US was not looking promising, but now under Trump it does. I have to confess, unlike some US pundits, like Trump and Judge Jeanine, and UK ones like Nigel Farage, I did not quite see the connection between Brexit and a Trump victory, and now it seems as clear as day. It is not about small minded, xenophobes, racist etc. people having their time to rejoice for a season, but rather them putting two fingers up at an establishment that is dominated by an inept, politically correct, liberal elite that has taken it upon itself to pursue a globalist agenda and expect the plebs to fall in line. There is a lot more to it of course and several common factors, but we wait expectantly to see how it all pans out now the respective peoples of the UK and the US have had their say and upset the status quo.

As for Trump, he cannot be kept out of the news. One recent item being him saving some American jobs from going overseas. The China incident was not expected and is indicative of a significant change in foreign policy. In this case, he spoke to the newly elected Taiwan leader and thus upset the mighty Chinese, for prior to that the US did not dare do this despite having significant dealings with both. The US China relationship is an interesting one and methinks there is a blog to come on this subject. As there is regarding Trump’s team. I have already broached the subject and will elaborate. Overall though, rather than feeling disappointment, I am a lot happier with Trump’s team than Obama’s and I hope to say why soon.

There is a lot to come I have no doubt concerning these two amazing developments, which I expect to comment on. The significance of the Brexit and US Presidential votes is not only did this interest those who do not normally vote (probably because they considered their votes mattered this time) but those who do take an interest in such matters were deeply divided. Concerning my own circle, more disagreed than agreed with me. I regret it did cause us to fall out sometimes and I hope we can make up and unite on the many things we have in common. As an activist doing grass roots community stuff, like helping the homeless and, as a preacher that wants to lead people to Christ, my views must not be a distraction from my calling.