NEWS COMMENTARY
The term Brexit appears to have been
originated in the year 2012 although the heated discussion over the
hypothetical or potential departure of the United Kingdom from the European
Union arose not until 2015.
The European Union’s foundation was based
upon the economic tragedy of war-torn Europe five years after the
termination of the Second World War, in 1950. The leading nations were Germany
and France, later in 1957; with addition of few more countries European
Economic Community was formed. United Kingdom was appended in 1973 expansion of
EU, which now has 28 countries. Brexit is a merger of Britain and Exit.
As promised by Prime Minister David
Cameroon, even though he personally is against it, in the last year’s general
election that he would re-open the discussion of Brexit from EU through a
referendum, UK nationals are voting on 23 June for either Remain or Leave.
British, Irish and Commonwealth citizens of above 18 years who are resident of
UK can vote for the referendum. US president Barack Obama, France, Germany and
most of other EU members are in favor of Britain staying in the EU. Member
countries believe that if UK stays, it would be easier for them in trade and
working human resources across countries. The multinational business companies,
with few exceptions, who want to move their products easily, would also want UK
to stay. We can only surmise, Russian president Vladmir Putin would rather want
Britain out, however in last week comment at St. Petersberg he superficially
disliked Cameroon's decision to go to the referendum questioning if he really
wanted it.
The issue of Britain leaving the EU began
as many think tanks opined that the UK’s economy is being foot-slogged when it
has to look back for other countries as well, pay heavy amount as membership
free for little in return, and face many charges after EU monitoring policy in
business and industries. The UKIP, United Kingdom Independence Party is in
strong favor of Brexit, which is also supposed to control the free movement of
people across from around its borders.
The EU works in four organizational
designs: European Commission, the European parliament, European council and the
court of justice. In total European budget of 2015, UK is the top third country
to contribute with 12.57%, after Germany and France in order.
In my personal opinion, UK should remain in the European union, after all, in this gradual globalization of the world in which continents have become closer, Britons should not alienate themselves by voting in favor of Brexit. The general expenditure capacity of average English is way high now than it will be tomorrow if it were divorced from the rest of the countries. For example Spain eagerly wants that Bitain will be in EU, because, clearly, their one-third of total tourism engrossing was contributed by British citizens only in the year gone. If it goes off from the 28 countries club, then obviously the currency value of pound will weaken. A person in Britain saves £450 a year owing to the lower living price as a result of EU.
That said, if Brexit is a reality, then
less Britons will be tourists and British tourists would spend less than
generally they do now. The tickets and mobile charging prices are also way
lower than expected, all due to EU. Further, EU maintains that all the goods
should meet a certain European standards in order to be imported and consumed.
While today also, UK remains a bit aloof
as seen when you don’t get to enter any of its Kingdom while you easily enjoy
other countries, in a Shenzhen visa however. The use of pound sterling is also
in the excess inside the countries while 19 countries of the Eurozone have
official currency as Euro. UK also encountered a lot of criticism for not
responding well to refugee issues of Middle East, unlike other nations
including Germany. Are not these sufficient to alienate themselves from the
rest of the world?
Mind that even if the UK wants its
consumer market operational, it has to contribute to EU annual budget in order
to render access to single market even if it would be estranged. Moreover, the
major UK universities get millions of dollars in research activities from EU,
and many research enthusiasts and talented scientists elsewhere in the Europe
come to the UK’s universities with the help of EU grant. This has allowed
top-notch research output from these universities.
These days a group can do big things,
similarly, if UK remains in the EU it can play vital role in taking big
decision, particularly in defense and security issues. It can also fight back
effectively to shared threats of itself and neighborhood nations. Besides the
membership of NATO and UN Security Council,
it should remain in this Union as well to keep its legacy of major geopolitical
prowess.
Not only UK and its citizens, for the global peace and progress when further unity and collaboration has been thought more than necessary now, Britain should not advocate through poll to its freestanding identity, which might be but a racist intimation.
References: various contemporary news on BBC, The guardians, The
Atlantic, Economist, Hindustan Times, The Indian Express, The Telegraph, and NY
Times
© Adhikary Rabindra 2016
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