Should we be more optimistic? Britain has fallen back in love with moderation, while its neighbours are flirting with the far right. Some hope the world might follow where we lead.
‘Suddenly Britain looks like the sensible one’
Steady: After years of laughing at the UK, many other wealthy nations (their leaders above) may be descending into political turmoil. Glossary
basketcase - A country or organisation that is in severe financial or economic difficulties, especially one that is unable to pay its debts.
Geert Wilders - A Dutch politician who has led the right-wing to far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) since he founded it in 2006.
Democrats - Members of the Democratic party, the left-leaning US political party. Joe Biden and Barack Obama are both Democrats.
Marine le Pen - The leader of the National Rally who has sought to moderate its image and normalise its place in French politics.
National Assembly - The lower house of the French Parliament, the equivalent of the House of Commons.
Populist - The term comes from the People's Party, which operated in the USA in the 1890s. Now, it is often used to refer to any movement that makes a distinction between the "people" and the corrupt "establishment".
Complacency - Feeling of satisfaction with your own work that stops you from trying harder.