The U.K. is set to dismember itself from the EU after a referendum which saw 51.9 percent of the public vote to leave.
The aftermath has been turbulent. The pound fell to its lowest point since 1985, and the global economy is tilting after US$ 3 trillion was wiped off world stock markets – the largest two-day decline ever. The PM, David Cameron, resigned on Friday abruptly, ending his six-year reign and kick-starting a Conservative party leadership contest. Furthermore, Labour is in the midst of a vote of no-confidence in Jeremy Corbyn, the opposition leader.
The future of Britain remains unsure for now. The Conservatives will begin selecting a two-person short-list for PM, which will be presented to party members to make a final decision. It’s thought that Boris Johnson, former London mayor, is the most likely successor. No matter who takes the lead of Britain, the presidents of the European council have called for Britain to leave quickly in order to avoid prolonged uncertainty.
Along with new uncertainty about Britain’s future position in the world comes concern about Scotland’s uneasiness with the Brexit vote. Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland and leader of the Scottish National Party, has stated that, “the UK that Scotland voted to remain within in 2014 doesn’t exist anymore.” Scottish Secretary, David Mundell, said that Scotland would hold another independence referendum if the people wanted it, but cautioned that such talk isn’t helpful so soon after the EU vote. Sturgeon has gone on to state that she wishes to protect Scotland from, “deeply damaging and painful consequences” but she did not, “in any circumstances” want to see Scotland leave Britain.
In order to leave the EU, the PM must invoke ‘Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty.’ Article 50 sets in motion a two-year legal process of formal withdrawal, granting the U.K. time to negotiate the terms of its exit.
Until the U.K. leaves, the status quo will be maintained. The impact of Brexit will primarily be determined by how terms are negotiated and subsequent laws the U.K. may enact within its new found “freedom”. Due to fears over further EU-exits, there is growing concern that the EU will negotiate exceptionally hard, hoping to make an example of those who would leave.
In the wake of Brexit, division among citizens remain as stark as ever. In the lead up to the referendum, tensions were high. Racism and bigotry have been rife; so has misinformation and deception. But, perhaps worst of all, the country has opted to begin tearing itself apart by failing to hold rational discourse and opting towards party allegiance and ad hominem criticism between citizens. All of this came to a point when Labour MP Jo Cox died after being shot and stabbed in Birstall. The man charged with Cox’s murder has since given his name in court as, “death to traitors, freedom for Britain” and that just about says it all. The quieter, well-mannered, and mature of Britain have found plenty of space for productive conversation.
Life isn’t always about making the right decision; more often, it’s about making the decision right. While some are feeling crushed, and others rejoice, all that we know is that we are all yet to see whether this is the right decision. Whether leaving is a good move depends on the outcome, regardless of what people think is or isn’t (was or wasn’t) likely to happen. Irrespective of whether leaving is optimal, leaving can be done optimally. However, it will require immense work on the part of everybody. The winners have had a weekend to celebrate and now they must continue to be engaged and willing to work. Equally, those who lost have had time to nurse their wounds. This is not the time to go to the pub and wait for it to all blow over, it is a time to show every ounce of support you’d ask for if you won.
Only one thing is certain: Britain will not get through this by tearing itself apart. Division, hatred, and disengagement are the enemies of progress. So, before Brits look towards manoeuvring through these times as responsibly as possible, they must remember that exercising democracy is a time high emotion and immense passion. The U.K. needs time to heal, recover, and process. Whether one feels patriotic or largely indifferent, the U.K. is still one nation. The U.K. is a community and will likely persist as such, so it ought to act as such. Brexit has been an example of the improper use of the tools of democracy. Democracy is best exercised collectively, with rationality and dispassion where possible. This is the public duty.