"Boris Johnson is using the act of leaving the EU as a vehicle for his goal — showing the impotence of his adversaries." And that of Parliament. In effect, he is declaring himself autocrat and defying anyone in Britain to prove him wrong. Even though Parliament is fighting back, he could build support for brushing away democracy.

The UK's democracy has grave problems. As in most countries, plutocrats have too much power and subvert the state to their interests. However, the remedy must be more democracy, not less.