Was Brexit an Astonishing Moment of Stupidity and Uncertainty for the UK?
Was it an astonishing moment of hope or did the UK leave the EU for an uncertain future? The answer, of course, is a mix of both - and that's the crux of the matter. It is undoubtedly an uncertain future, but the point is, when staying in the EU seemed to offer a more certain path, it was filled with its own set of uncertainties and limitations.
Arguments Against the Remain Campaign
This article aims to challenge the notion that remaining in the EU was a certain and desirable future. My main concern with the remain campaign is the idea that staying was a sure-fire way to prevent drastic changes. This claim is fundamentally flawed and misleading.
As a 26-year-old, I have seen the rapid and substantial expansion of the EU in the past few decades. The depth and breadth of its powers have grown exponentially, extending into numerous competencies with its exclusive rights to judicial and legislative control. Reflecting on the mid-1990s, even a detailed summary of the EU in 2020 would seem like a fantastical prophesy.
The EU's Erosion of National Sovereignty
Going from taking money from bank accounts to seizing property, the idea of an "EU defence force," financial transaction taxes, and even engaging in trade wars, the EU has amassed an arsenal of powers that could very plausibly lead to an uncertain future. The drive for further centralized power continues, evidenced by recent moves to borrow funds for the Commission and mandate fiscal austerity in member states.
Uncertainty in Remaining
When the remainers promised a stable and predictable future within the EU, it was far from certain. Many in the UK were not satisfied with the degree of integration and felt constrained by EU regulations. The future in the EU, in my opinion, was anything but certain, and being asked to confirm that future again in 2016 did not alleviate my concerns.
Leaving the EU is an uncertain future, no matter how you look at it. Whether it is seen as a hopeful future depends on your perspective. However, remaining in the EU was also uncertain, but it was not one that filled me with hope. The current internal and external scrutiny of the UK's financial stability and governance would have been a challenge even if we had stayed in the EU, as seen in the discussions about the bailout fund and budgetary framework.
The Reality of Leaving the EU
Leaving the EU was not a moment of clarity; it marked the beginning of a protracted period of uncertainty, devaluation, and plummeting investment. The decision to leave was a moment of frustration and confusion, rather than wisdom. In reality, the promise that lefters made about an easy and rosy future simply did not hold up. Almost every promise that was made has since collapsed, and many were obvious lies.
Challenges After Leaving the EU
The process of leaving the EU has been a long and arduous one, dragging on for four years and likely to continue for many more. The economic and social upheavals caused by Brexit have had a significant impact on the UK, and the road to recovery is far from smooth.
The promises of a brighter future were not just empty rhetoric; they also failed to address the underlying tensions and challenges that Brexit aimed to resolve. In many ways, the promise of a certain future was just as misleading and problematic as remaining in the EU.
Ultimately, the decision to leave the EU was for an uncertain future, and optimism about this new future should be well-considered. The road ahead is fraught with uncertainty, and the future of the UK in the global economy is far from certain whether we remain in the EU or not.
Key Takeaways:
The remain campaign overpromised and underdelivered. The EU's power growth has made staying in the EU an uncertain future. The departure from the EU has brought about significant economic and social challenges. Leavers and remainers both failed to provide clear and credible promises.