THAT vulgar Trumpian chant of “drain the swamp” has been ringing around in my head for the past few days, like an annoying chorus from some Eurovision song of the 1970s.

It wormed its way into my consciousness last week when I read that Liam Fox, the “nil points” International Trade Secretary, has called for a “clear out” from Downing Street of any advisors who aren’t fully on board with his vainglorious Brexiteer dreams.

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Ever the opportunist, Fox has spotted a chance to wipe the slate clean after Theresa May has evacuated No 10 and surround the next leader with yes-men and Empire mark II delusionists. Free from those who don’t agree with – or who might even query – daft decisions, Fox et al can then plough on with their kind of Brexit, regardless of the consequences and with little or no informed questioning until it’s far too late. I doubt the clear lack of democratic accountability will keep Fox awake at night.

It is revealing comments like this that make me think of Trump and his promise to “drain the swamp” when he was first elected back at the start of this era of uncertainty. He said he would rid American politics of corruption, he would clean up Washington and free the ordinary American people from elite politicians who didn’t understand their needs. Two and a half years into his presidency, that slogan has come back to bite him, big time.

The presidential fast-food fetishist has now accumulated more scandals and corruption allegations than hot burgers and diet cokes. His diehard supporters might be able to swallow this dramatic double standard, but it’s doubtful that Trump will fully escape his four-year legacy at the 2020 election, after the big “outsider” has been exposed as just another Washington insider.

Many would argue, of course, that Liam Fox is the “Atlantic Bridge” from the White House to No 10 – the President’s puppet on a string. Like Farage, Fox is borrowing tricks straight from The Donald’s populist playbook. He’s happily signing up to this new political wave that is all style over substance. Fox has even claimed he really, really understands why Tory voters have turned to the Brexit Party at the EU elections and away from the Conservatives, who have made a complete dog’s breakfast of Brexit.

The National: Donald Trump's presidency has left his claims of 'draining the swamp' exposedDonald Trump's presidency has left his claims of 'draining the swamp' exposed

Who needs experts? Who needs reality? Indeed, who needs a plan? As long as these hardline Leavers can “drain the swamp” of dissent and counter-argument, of factual analysis and evidence-based research, then no one can get in the way of their Brexit fantasy. As long as they can draw in support with meaningless soundbites and razzamataz, with a

one-hit wonder Brexit tune and a non-existent manifesto, then who cares about truth or consequence?

This kind of “plan” can only have a short-term effect. Little wonder Fox wants to get rid of all the doubters who have drawn attention to his abysmal record on new trade deals post Brexit. He knows his window of opportunity is closing, especially given his own appointed trade chief’s recent admission that Brexit trade deals will be worse than EU deals. And then just around the corner lies the great coming capitulation to the USA over food standards, when Fox will bow to his American masters on chlorinated chicken and pesticide veggies; all served up soon to a hyper-market near you.

Luckily, time is running out for Dr Fox, as it is for his puppeteer, Trump. As every new day of his presidency dawns, Trump sinks deeper into his own swamp of scandal. The system he described as rigged, that he promised to fix, is even more jam-packed with the uber-wealthy and well-connected, an old boys’ network and a glass ceiling that no one can break through, at least without a mega bank balance. His big promises are being exposed daily as nothing more than dust in the wind and enough voters will surely smell a rat.

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There’s a lesson here for Fox, the Brexit Party and all the hardline Brexiteers. They can bandy about snappy soundbites as much as they like in the hope that they can finally get their Brexit dream over the line. But sooner rather than later, the grim reality of an economically collapsed and isolated UK, or perhaps just an isolated England, will hit home. As Boris himself once boasted, “Brexit will be a Titanic success”.

The Brexit Party may be toasting their success at this week’s EU elections, but if Brexit goes ahead and people across the country finally realise what’s hit them, there will be little remnants of popular sympathy or support for Farage or Fox or Johnson. Instead, the search will be on for someone to take the fall, and at that point the swamp won’t be for draining, but for flinging people in.

It won’t be so much a case of “drain the swamp” but “lock em up”!

The only real question for Scotland is: “Are the lifeboats ready for launching”?