Friday, 24 June 2016

Brexit: What Next?


Warning: If you are on the Leave side, you won't like this one bit. :)

24th June 2016. Take note of the date. It could be one of the most important days in British history.

It was a fair, democratic vote but that won't change the fact that in the midst of the decision by the UK to leave the European Union, there's now a country deeply divided who WILL have at least two years of economic uncertainty and instability.

I'm 17 and therefore, I couldn't vote in this referendum. But like a very good proportion of 16-18 year olds, I would have voted to remain. This was for various reasons, some more common than others.

Going into school, all I saw was disappointment. So far, I only know of two people in my whole year who would have voted to leave if they had the chance. It didn't seem fair that the opportunity to have a say in a decision (which would affect the younger generation the most) wasn't given to people who are old enough to drive, join the army and have sex.

Either way, it's done now. Apparently it's Independence Day. (Nigel Farage's words...) But it could trigger the break up of the United Kingdom as we know it. Scotland and Northern Ireland were two of three regions which voted to remain in the EU (the other being my home city, London) and talks of independence referendums have heartened up.

And I wouldn't be surprised if it happens, in a way, I want to happen. People are crying out that this is a victory for democracy. So if they really meant that, let the Scots and the Northern Irish leave if they want to.

To rub salt in the wound, David Cameron will stand down in October. Now I support Labour but I don't think anyone can legitimately say there's a better candidate for the job. The universally hated Michael Gove and the British version of Donald Trump (guess who) are the front runners and it's likely the public won't get a say in who will be in charge for 3 and half years until 2020.

And I haven't got to the economic bit yet!

To sum it up:

  • Pound fell dramatically but it has risen back again, it probably will go back to it's pre-Brexit level in the next couple of days
  • FTSE fell to it's lowest point ever and I feel that will take a bit more time for that to recover
  • Economic uncertainty and instability will be common now for the next two years
  • It will be very tough to negotiate trade deals. It takes 7-10 years to sort those out and guess what? China and India are officially some of the hardest countries to do business with. So much for easy trade alternatives.
  • Funding for certain industries (agriculture, fishing etc.) and institutions will be gone (e.g. universities)

I'm glad so many young people have stood up for what they've believed in. We have a voice and it's a shame more of us couldn't be able to share it. The uncertainty over the next few years is not something to be excited about. Instead of trying to improve the EU, we're running away from it, screwing everyone else over in the process and we're not gonna do too well either.

If you think the EU is not democratic enough, then fight to change that. It's not an authoritarian state. If you think immigrants take all the jobs, they are mostly taking the jobs you're either not qualified for or you are too lazy to do, so don't moan about it. I personally think migration numbers won't change. Only a change of border control would change that, not membership of the European Union.





I won't add anything more to that. These videos sum up millions of people's frustration and worry for their country.
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