To Brexit or not to Brexit, that was the question. Of course the question has been answered and the rest of world doesn’t like it. Britain is leaving the European Union.
Yes, a referendum which Prime Minister David Cameron called to shore up his own position in the British Conservative Party back in 2013 has backfired spectacularly-costing him his job and sending jitters around the world. Britain, riding on the back of fear of open borders and immigrants taking jobs and promoting terrorism and a feeling the European Parliament is impinging on the British sovereign right to govern herself, voted narrowly to cut ties with the continent.
The “Remain” campaign seemed on course for a victory as the polls closed but the only vote that counts is the one on election day-and an upset ensued.
From a distance here in Australia I hadn’t taken a lot of notice. We are too far away from Europe to be looking at the minutiae of everyday politics in the United Kingdom but we are certainly taking some notice now.
The recriminations started soon after the earthquake subsided. The Prime Minister, his reputation and credibility in tatters, resigned the morning after the vote. Londoners, much more cosmopolitan and progressive than the rest of the country voted overwhelmingly to stay and thus many denizens of that great metropolis, feeling emasculated, have signed a petition calling for London to secede from the United Kingdom(!).
Many people from the Remain camp, almost predictably, have poured scorn on those who voted to leave calling them racist and lamenting that uneducated people have the right to vote. So much for an inclusive democracy. Britain hasn’t been so divided since King Charles I lost his head thanks to Oliver Cromwell!
It seems to be a habit in the modern world that the defeated party in such scenarios resort to insult and petty put down after the event. Is having a different opinion really an indication of stupidity or racism on the part of your opponent? Is being worried about open borders and the threat of terrorism really an invitation to be called horrid names?
Any campaign which so bitterly divides a nation leads to lies and misdirection being thrown into the public domain and I daresay both sides of the debate were guilty of such things. But plenty of intelligent people voted for and supported Brexit so it wasn’t just the ignorant unwashed who decided they didn’t want their future decided in Brussels.
I can understand the fears of those who voted to leave. I even agree with some of their argument about the European Union and it’s flaws. It’s beyond the scope of this blog to discuss the reasons for or against remaining in the European Union but I must say I probably would have voted to maintain the status quo. I think there is strength in unity in these troubled times and surely problems can be worked out from the inside rather than by erecting walls and barriers.
I think, despite prophecies of doom and gloom from the defeated and the insulted, that Britain will survive and probably prosper despite bidding farewell to union with the EU. Time will tell of course but it will be ironic if the greatest danger comes from within. Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain and it seems only a matter of time before a push to break away from the UK is resumed. Northern Ireland also voted to remain and although the likelihood of them abandoning Britain and throwing their lot in with Eire is low, there must be some discomfort in Ulster at the result.
Most of all I wish the people of the United Kingdom of Great Britain all the best. For a thousand years they have bent history to their will and they are doing it again. Once again they are showing the world that they can’t be ignored. For better or worse they have made their choice.
I wish them luck.
Strange Notations From a Laborious Life 