The verdict is in, Britain is out!Now comes the hard and scary part: renegotiating a relationship with the European Union and or its individual members; and a real fear of rejection.
The analysts are hard at work, explaining the result. They cite factors such as geography, age, education. They say it was country versus town. They blame immigration, race and hatred, and all permutations of these factors. The real culprit here seems to have been apathy: 28% didn’t vote. The ‘stayers’ thought they would win as per the prediction of the polls, so many stayed at home, figuring that the decision was already made; while these said polls galvanised the ‘leavers’ into action. Some people claim they didn’t understand and want a redo. Let’s assume that there is another referendum. Wouldn’t the European Union have a right to conducts its own poll on whether to re-admit Britain?
Britain is made up of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Ireland and Scotland voted to stay while Wales and England voted to go. The country is divided and that Biblical warning comes to mind: a country divided cannot stand. Prime Minister Cameron has already indicated that he cannot stand.
Scotland and possibly Ireland want their own referendum, but that, of necessity will be a two-way referendum: to gain independence and to re-join the Union. After all, the European Union is a union of independent countries who have agreed to yield portions of their sovereignty in order to become stronger. So if Scotland (and Ireland) fail to gain their independence, it is difficult to see how they can enter the Union while still a part of Britain. To add to the misery of Britain, the future of Gibraltar is once again uncertain.
On closer look, Britain was half-heartedly in the Union. It took no part in the common currency and refused to harmonise many of its laws. Some pundits explain the keeping of sterling by saying Britain’s money must have a visage of the monarch. Well. It does now, but it is predicted to settle eventually at the same rate as the Euro. Also, there was no referendum on whether to join in the first place.
The most telling aspect of Brexit, however, is the ease of the break-up. It was on a simple majority, 51.9 to leave and 48.1 to stay. That is a very narrow margin indeed.By contrast, Nevis’ secession vote requires a 67% yes vote all around. It’s too bad that the British, who gave us a Constitution and weighted secession equation, neglected to protect itself.
London Bridge is falling down. Britain is no longer Great!
