Dear France,
I just wanted to let you know at this difficult time that I’m here for you.
I’m no gloating Englishman sneering from the other side of the Channel. I genuinely love you and your magnificent country. I even worked for one of your esteemed banks for five years back in the nineties and have just come back from another great holiday in your amazing country — a place I have visited for over 40 years, a place where my great grandfather lies to rest after fighting for liberty. I consider myself a Francophile, a friend.
But all friends need to be honest with each other, to tell each other home truths when it’s needed, to confront those awkward moments without fear of the reaction.
You let me know the folly of my ways nine years ago during Brexit. You let me know that we were going down a path of self-harm and now it’s time for me to return the favor.
