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Journalism of Courage
Taking a jibe on social media is not new for politicians or diplomats. Joining the bandwagon is European Council’s President Donald Tusk, who recently threw shade at British Prime Minister Theresa May with a punny post on Instagram. Sharing a photo of him along with May from the recent Salzburg summit, Tusk wrote in the caption, “A piece of cake perhaps? Sorry no cherries”. The EUCO chief was seen offering the UK PM an array of Austrian delicacies at the summit, but his intention of taking the jibe was clear only later.
The jibe is a reference to a running joke in EU referring to the Brexit deal that Britain wants to “have its cake and eat it”. The EU Council members and other nations have often alleged that the UK has been “cherrypicking” because it wants to stay in parts of the single market it likes but not the parts it dislikes.
May appealed directly to fellow European Union leaders during the summit to drop “unacceptable” Brexit demands that, she said, could rip Britain apart and urged the bloc to respond in kind to her “serious and workable” plan. However, no heed was paid to her demands.
In fact, Tusk told reporters that European Union leaders believe May’s so-called Chequers plan for Brexit would undermine the bloc’s single market.
The sneer didn’t get unnoticed and has got everyone talking not just on Instagram but also across social media sites. It has garnered a mixed reaction from everyone – politicians to netizens.
Former Tory MP and adviser to ex-Brexit Secretary David Davis, Stewart Jackson, slammed Tusk for “appalling and cheap conduct”. While people opposing Brexit called it brilliant trolling. But many agreed that it was very disrespectful.
https://twitter.com/AnEnglishRevolt/status/1043371948242296832
https://twitter.com/GazzaPositively/status/1043254575485149185
https://twitter.com/nigelwboothroyd/status/1043029883876564993
However, it was not the only awkward moment for May during the summit. As EU leaders met for the ‘family photo’, a Reuters’ photo caught the coldness towards her, wherein the PM looked isolated from the rest.
Moreover, after the photo, they went back to the meeting room for the next session but Theresa May was not back for the discussion.
