Excellent piece, Sikander.

The abusive relationship happens, we could say, out of loneliness and that any relationship is preferable to none at all.

"Fly-over-country" was abandoned by Democrats because they focused their resources on easier prospects of large cities and coasts. Republicans, quite naturally, filled the void in rural and small towns in middle America. Republicans offered little over than their presence. Democrats have been paying a huge price for this oversight and the nation a destructive divide.

There were similarities in the north of Britain, where folk felt abandoned, first by Thatcher and later by their traditional Labour Party. This was described in Fiona Hill's excellent book "There Is Nothing for You Here."

It was the north of England where Brexit got the most votes.

As for Britain's most likely new PM, Liz Trust faces a country in disarray and offers few real solutions.

Many thanks. Best.