Wait is the UK really leaving the EU? What does this mean ??
It’s expected to take 2 years - first, through the enactment of something called Article 50, the EU must be formally informed of the United Kingdom’s exit. However, the after-effects are already beginning to show.
Welcome to Hannah’s basic guide to how the UK just fucked right up!
First of all, what does being in the EU mean? It means that everyone in the EU can live, travel and work freely, without needing a visa, and get access to free healthcare (usually upon showing an EU health insurance card if you’re British) whilst in EU countries. It means we export and import together in one big market, with set taxes, tariffs, etc that mean it’s more of a large economic exchange than it is pure trading (making it cheaper, more efficient and more continentally beneficial). It means certain human rights are decreed to be absolute everywhere, including on working, living, discriminatory acts, etc. As a member of the EU, you are protected as a European citizen above the citizenship of one country - essentially, it’s meant to stop another World War kicking off (as the EU being separate states led to the first two).
So what does leaving it mean - generally speaking? It means that (once Article 50 is implemented), although travelling and importing/exporting of goods may not necessarily change, the economy will be largely affected (in fact, it already has been, with the Pound Sterling dropping to the lowest its been in worth in nearly 30 years) as it won’t be trading in the same free market as it was before. More taxation, tariffs, less return etc on imports and exports - again, affecting the economy. That affects the healthcare system we have, currently already crippled by too many patients and not enough doctors (ref the junior doctor’s strike) who are already being forced into more work than they can handle. Also, these healthcare workers, alongside many others in the workplace, are no lunger subject to the human rights implemented by the EU - regarding working hours, minimum pay, anti-discriminatory rights against minority and religious groups, etc.
It means we have to keep paying the EU and trading with them, but negotiating with each of the 27 countries individually; it means we don’t get a say in anything they rule about, be that international affairs or trade; it also means, fatally, that the EU could put up these trade taxes etc as a warning to other states considering leaving. Do not forget that the EU was made to avoid wartime and conflict, after the horrors of the First and Second World Wars. Spain has stated that they want to reclaim Gibraltar once Article 50 has been implemented. Already, a Brexit is undermining peace.
Because the Brexit campaign has been so linked with xenophobia, the far-right (Nigel Farage made a poster eerily similar to Nazi propaganda), racism and intolerance against ethnic minorities, the UK is now largely divided. This division, and the uncertainty it’s caused, has caused the Pound Sterling’s worth to plummet to lower than its been in… Nearly 30 years. This happened as soon there was a Brexit lead… And then crashed within hours.
It’s also of note that the 18-30 demographic largely voted to remain - and the 60+ demographic voted stay. This disregards the future of our country. Our democracy as we know it. Our futures, as the future generation of the UK. Those in the 60+ demographic are expected to have a life expectancy of 16 years. My demographic, 18+, is expected to have 69.
So, what does it mean for the UK? Aside from the risk of another recession, potential right-wing ascension to 10 Downing Street and political and economical uncertainty? Well…
Scotland is voting for independence - to be out of the UK, so it can maintain its ties with the EU, as it largely voted to remain
Northern Ireland (a part of the UK) shares borders with the Republic of Ireland (an EU state) and is now in discussion of how to manage this border. It would potentially mean cutting off the Republic from Britain to ‘protect’ the greater landmass from the EU, or some kind of border control placed within Ireland…
… Consequently, leading to people in both Irelands discussing the possibility of border merging, essentially meaning that Northern Ireland separates from the UK (… or rather, England and Wales at this point) and integrates into Northern Ireland; an EU state) because it largely voted to remain
In more recent news, there is a petition for London to be granted independent status from the UK/England, as it voted in the clear majority for remaining in the EU. The petition currently has over 20,000 signatures and would have the London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, given more power over the city and allow for the EU and London to remain partners
This would all essentially result in the rural parts of England, and Wales, being all that is left of ‘the United Kingdom’.
Similarly, fields in healthcare, scientific research and education will be largely affected. Boris Johnson, one of the Brexiteers who claimed the NHS would be reinvested in (£350 million per week, though this figure has been debunked by EVERYONE), is running for PM, despite being inconsistent in his views regarding the EU across his career and having a reputation for racism, Islamaphobia and being a general fool.
- There is a petition that can be signed, calling for a 2nd referendum.- There is the petition for London to be granted independent status - so it could run itself similar to how New York runs itself under its own rules, potentially stabilising the economy as London would remain a financial hub and in partner with the EU- Do not vote for the right, Johnson or Farage. Within one hour of the vote, Farage admitted that the 350mil figure was a ‘mistake’ - these are not the type of people we want in power- Call for a prayer circle and hope for the best
I hope that helps, lovely.
