Some say this was far more significant than any development with the Donald or the Hillary. On Thursday evening, most citizens of Great Britain went to sleep seemingly believing they were still part of the European Union (EU) — a politico-economic structure to which they had belonged since 1973. On Friday, they awoke to a voting result stipulating the opposite. The people voted. With record turnout, 52% chose to exit the EU. “Brexit,” it’s been called. But what does it mean?
We’ve been told it means a lot of things…
- British Prime Minister David Cameron long articulated that “Britain is stronger, safer and better” as part of the EU. He resigned after the vote.
- Pres. Obama — saying now he will “respect their decision” — previously said Britain would “find themselves in the back of the queue” in regard to trade deals, if they exited.
- Donald Trump said it’s “a great thing.”
- United Kingdom Independence Party leader Nigel Farage said, “We’ve got our country back.”
- German’s Angela Merkel expressed “deep regret.”
- English singer and songwriter Ellie Goulding said, “I truly believe this is one of the most devastating things to happen during my lifetime.”
- English actress and model Elizabeth Hurley thought it was excellent, saying, “And suddenly the birds are singing.”
- And comedian Ricky Gervais tweeted, “Terrible day for Britain. Great day for Twitter though.”
The reactions have been nothing less than mixed.
Regardless of advocacy or opposition, part of me wonders if the people knew exactly what they were voting for. I sometimes think we listen more to the media, pundits, and politicians than actually exercise individual discernment. As my older, wise bro pointed out, in fact, in the wake of this significant vote, Google Trends listed the top searches in the UK about the EU as follows:
- What does it mean to leave the EU?
- What is the EU?
- Which countries are in the EU?
- What will happen now we’ve left the EU?
- How many countries are in the EU?
Did the citizens know what they were voting for? Or were they influenced more by the media and rhetoric as opposed to actually weighing the issues and discerning the outcome (… sigh… bet we never do that here…).
There will be an economic impact — although the specifics remain uncertain. At one point on Friday, the British currency hit a 30 year low. Note, too, that 3% of American earnings come from England; hence, America will also be affected. But as all good economists know, economic impact is assessed over time — not in any instant.
So at this point, as an obvious outsider, allow me to make a few observations, absent the media, rhetoric, or any strong opinion on this issue…
First, it will take many months and even years to fully comprehend the consequences of this referendum — positive or negative. No one has ever left the EU before.
Second, immigration seemed to be a significant driver of this vote; people have wrestled with the wisest way to handle open immigration — especially with the ongoing refugee crisis in Europe. How does each country find a balance in welcoming the huddled masses yearning to be free, but not allow the influx to alter the values and freedom that prompted their initial attractiveness to the country?
Next — and perhaps this is a little ambiguous — but I’m a little uncomfortable by all those — especially from so far away — who seem to maintain an “I-know-what’s-best-for-you” attitude. This is Great Britain’s vote. I figure they know better than me.
And lastly, as written in a succeeding LA Times editorial: “It does mean that politicians — and not just those on the banks of the Thames in Westminster — need to wake up. On both sides of the Atlantic, governments and politics are not working.”
Respectfully…
AR