EDITORIAL

Britain’s decision to exit the European Union (EU) has sent shock waves throughout the world. The vote is not legally binding, but there is no doubt the British public felt strongly about the issue, with polls showing a 71.8 per cent turnout, the highest for a general electorate since 1992. The Brexit result was so acute that in its aftermath there has been a world-wide drop in stock markets, a drop of the British pound and euro, a downgrade of Britain’s credit rating and an uncertainty in the corporate sector regarding future business prospects. Now this dis-United Kingdom is abuzz with persons who regret voting “Leave”, with a purported petition to have a second EU referendum reaching over three million signatures at the weekend. Others seemed unsure about the situation; media outlets have reported that Google recorded a spike of searches on “What is the EU” after voting had finished. 

 

The ripple effects in the political arena are just as dramatic. British Prime Minister David Cameron, who had campaigned for “Remain”, tendered his resignation, while Scotland National Party’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it was “highly likely” the party would revisit the question of a second Scottish independence referendum (Scots overwhelmingly voted to stay in the EU). The Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn is facing an issue of no-confidence by members of his party, while Europe’s far right political movements – bolstered by the Brexit result – have promised to step up efforts to have their own countries removed from the EU. 

 

There are several interesting developments coming out of the poll. Democracy won, with some observing that this was a true test of the majority rule and a triumph of the will of the people. Even Mr. Cameron, while expressing disappointment at the outcome, noted the result must be respected. However, there are several talking points on how the campaigns were executed, and at how well delivered, emotional rhetoric based on fear – on both sides of the campaign – trumped rational thought. The campaign also exposed the disillusionment of the working class towards politics, and the undercurrent of hostility, fear and suspicion towards migrants coming through the EU into Britain, with a majority of “Leave” votes coming from older persons. Unfortunately, a whirlwind of generated anger has expressed itself negatively, with disturbing reports in recent days of hate crimes committed against Poles and Muslims.

 

While we in the Caribbean have started to focus on any financial, tourism and trade fallout, it is also worth noting the political ramifications. In the past, the EU has been used as a model for CARICOM to emulate, yet this poll revealed how some had no understanding of what the EU was or that Britain had opted to negotiate for special stipulations. Can our regional leaders say the public is adequately educated on the benefits of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), even as tensions have flared up regarding the free movement of CARICOM nationals? Even in individual states, the notion of how politics serves the daily needs of constituents must go beyond the four or five-year election turnout and seek to address concerns, and minimise discontent, misrepresentation and frustration. 

 

Some commenters have already expressed their opinion on Brexit’s impact on the region. What is needed now is a calm analysis of any potential benefits to be garnered, an agreement on best to proceed as a regional bloc, and the foresight to fine-tune the workings of our own grouping to bolster any shortcomings.