Let’s be honest, the majority of the country are rather confused over Brexit. What’s hard Brexit, what’s soft Brexit? How can there be two types? It all seems rather confusing and should be left down to those in charge. Yet many people fail to acknowledge the changes which will come about- good and bad however an individual views the situation.
On the 23rd of June 2016 UK citizens voted to leave the EU. 51.9% (17,410,742) voted with leave whereas 48.9% (15,141,241) voted with stay whilst the turnout being 72.2%. Evidently many people felt strongly about this decision as seen in the high turnout (for english voting) in comparison to the 2015 General Election where the turnout was 66.1%. London predominantly voted to stay or results were ‘50/50’ and many jokes were made of ‘why can’t London remain alone’. Due to this- a step down of Prime Minister David Cameron was seen and replaced by Theresa May.
However, due to the referendum not being legally binding and just a use of direct democracy- it was down to Westminster, to debate to actually leave and how to do so. Leaving us in this hard or soft Brexit state. All this commotion of which ones being chosen leaves many people many people in this state of confusion. In relation to this due to there being such a close call the results triggered a petition signed by 4.1 million people for a second referendum.
Theresa May has coiled this phrase ‘Brexit means Brexit’ conversely; Barack Obama after a meeting with May embarrassing stated “They’ve got no plan. They’ve just got no plan”. Therefore adding to this element of doubt and ambiguity ultimately after this obscure ambivalence of the state of affairs the Uk has found itself. In Mrs. May recent speech now announced the little need for ‘a running commentary’ of the strategy being used as there is no final plan. May’s current priorities include the country's personal over immigration furthermore removing Britain from the jurisdiction of the European court of justice allowing the UK able to make their own laws to what laws which best apply to them. Furthermore, there are aims to retain workers’ rights of UK citizens that work in the UK as due to Brexit many employees will lose their job leaving unemployment levels to rise by an estimated 6%. Nonetheless and ironically, there are aims building a strong trading relationship with the EU remaining “best friends” and rest of the world which seems rather impossible. With a decrease in value of the pound combined with this further ambiguity, there is this alarming bewilderment for the UK. Seemingly resulting in the only chance of successful survival being through this strengthening
relations with the US. Donald Trump commended the UK arguing “we were so smart for getting out”. Beneficially he is determined to work hard on UK-US trading deals due to Trump “in a sense being both emotionally and financially invested in it." as Michael Gove stated. Through this secure economic investment from a free trade deal a sense of optimism is lingering over the UK adhering this idea maybe Brexit was a good idea. In short term it can undeniably but said that Brexit seemed to doom our small nation. With the UK being in one of the largest deficits we have ever had experience to and the instant decline of the pound there was indisputable loss of confidence in our economic status. However this optimism of new trade deals without EU restriction, and hopefully further trade deals May hopes to have with them, our small nation has finally received a ray of light upon Brexit.
Overall, there could easily be a time of confusion foreshadowed over the future of the UK. Arguably, there could be a further development of this situation of austerity. Until Brexit is over (2 years as article 50 stated) the UK could face further cuts, tax rises etc. However, with people full well knowing this would be the situation and still voted leave, the government are forced to find a way to deal with the situation. Negotiations and agreements will be developed and unpicked till this 2 year time is up, and until then there is very little chance of full knowledgy. Nevertheless, despite this ambiguity there is a small chance this could be the best decision if negations are successfully made. In contrast the only confirmed information the UK have is the discomfort and mixed feelings between generations and citizens due to the this now faced situation.
By Holly Rayner
