Brexit-Through the looking glass

“David Cameron to quit after UK votes to leave EU.” “Nigel Farage resigns as Ukip leader: “I have done my bit. Now I want my life back” and “Since the national declaration of the Brexit victory on the 24th of June, the UK has fallen apart.” -these are just a few examples of the headlines over the last few months.

“Nigel Farage tells MEPs: Most of you have never done a proper job.”

On the 24^th of June, the National declaration of the referendum result was announced. Leave won the majority of votes by 52% in England and Wales. Scotland wanted to Remain by the clear votes of every council in majorities.

As a result of the Brexit, realisation of the effects of the leave began to dawn on voters and anxiety began to spiral; the results and the future of the UK is beginning to look disruptive and bleak.  Mixed comments from the Pro-Brexit voters appeared, one claimed to the BBC “I didn’t think my vote was going to matter too much because I thought we were just going to remain.” Thus, the creation of Regrexit was formed, around the same time the pound tumbled, markets crashed and Nigel Farages claim on the ‘Vote leave’ Poster to spend millions of pounds supposedly going into the EU on the NHS, was retracted. 

Expats of the UK, who may not have had the opportunity to vote, face concerns for their future within Europe. Issues that follow for the 1.2 million Expats living within the 27 E.U countries, involve the freedom of movement, right to work, pensions, passports, health care. Participants within the EU programme, Erasmus+ which opens opportunities for UK participants to study, work, volunteer, teach and train in Europe, also became concerned for the future of their time abroad. David Cameron was quick to respond wanting to “assure” Expats and addressed the Brits living in Europe “that there will be no immediate changes in your circumstances.”

In a briefing published by (The National Council for Voluntary Organisations) NCVO, it states that the UK government has not invoked ‘Article 50’, the trigger for formal leave negotiations. Until that point, there is no formal change in the UK’s membership of the EU. In the next few months or so, before the article is invoked, predictions can be made with uncertainty. One thing that is for certain within the UK is the ‘Real dividing lines across society, age, geographic, class, education- disparities in income and education and attitudes to immigrations. “When commenting on finance and funding for organisations, Elizabeth Chamberlain, NCVO predicts that ‘There will be a direct impact on organisations who work on equality and diversity, and those benefices come from minority communities.” Voluntary organisations who will have a direct impact, will need to start preparing for adjustments. 

Predictions of Article 50 not being triggered in 2017 have been made. Any sooner could be slightly ambitious, as there needs to be a parliamentary vote and for it to be successful, it needs to have a majority. There are only 130 pro-brexit MPs in the U.K versus 420 pro-Europe MPs, something miraculous will have to happen from the powers of Theresa May. Also, what could potentially delay the trigger, are the up and coming elections in France and Germany. As Philip Kirk Patrick, joint head of Charity Bates Wells Braithwaite, rightly states “why would we wish to negotiate with European partners if we don’ t know who we will be negotiating with?”

2016 is just the beginning of disruption for the UK, but for Greece it has spread over the last few years or so, putting the lives of families at risk, shutting down businesses, leaving building desolate and healthcare ever more deprived. The EIU predicts the effect of Brexit on the UK during the “highly disruptive period in the country’s history” and by 2020 the economy would be 6%, or £106bn smaller. The value of the great British pound will drop by 14-15% against the dollar in the course of this year. In correlation, Greece faces its toughest austerity measures yet, with €5.4bn of budget cuts backed by the government of Alexis Tsipras. Towards the end of the year there will be a massive build up; those that are angered, predict Grexit and wish for the Drachma’s revival. 

Writers comment: My first instinct in the morning of the referendum results, was to view my social media accounts. My live feeds were filled with overwhelming emotions. Being in Greece, I felt like I was on the outside, looking in at the Brexit result. Enraged viewer videos were linked from the BBC, friends and family were worried about my security, as well as their own. Some people were so overwhelmed by the topic, that they wished to never see the word ‘Brexit’ again. For my own sense of security, I took to researching into the effects on my current Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs exchange and for other Erasmus projects, in the UK. Brexit news was spread all over Greek television, with a possibility of it bringing a sense of déjà vu to its viewers, but instead of the events of resignation of leaders, disappearances and economic risk happening in a few years, it has happened over just a few day and the cataclysmic effect is at a much higher intensity. 

Georgina Cooper

Erasmus New Entrepreneur from UK in collaboration with “Dione” local development centre in Ancient Olympia, Greece

cropgeorgina@yahoo.co.uk

Image: LittleBig Cards