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Well… that was interesting. The polls, the bookies and the media were all wrong. Britain held its nerve, voting to leave the European Union by a clear margin of 2 percentage points. I am shocked and surprised, pleasantly and unpleasantly.
On the vital matters of sovereignty and immigration, I think the right decision has been made. The European Union was stifling Britain’s independent spirit, obstructing the British Parliament and overriding British courts. It couldn’t carry on. A civilised vote to leave is surely the most dignified way of bringing the relationship to a close.
Having said that, I must admit to being rather numb this morning (24th July). It feels like Britain has lost something. It feels like we, the British people, have lost something – a freedom, a set of liberties and privileges, many of which I have personally enjoyed.
Early last year, I spent some time working as a language teacher in the Basque Country in Northern Spain. In order to make my labour legal in that country, I had to visit the local council offices in Bilbao and apply for legal status. This process, which in non-EU countries would have taken many weeks, if not months to complete, was seen to in a single afternoon. I filled out a couple of forms and I was away – a Spanish taxpayer with the full and permanent right of abode.
This luxury is not something to sniff at. It really is (was) the most dazzling privilege. One can only imagine how much money the wretched refuse of the Muslim world would offer for such a right.
Bilbao, Spain
This morning, with Britain now committed irrevocably to disentangling itself from the European organism, I can’t help but wonder what kind of deal will replace the generous and advantageous contract we have just torn up. Will European states take revenge on us? Will they band together and punish the plucky, rebellious Brits with draconian measures and pointless, bureaucratic restrictions? It is certainly possible.
I am sad about this. I never wanted Britain to fall out with Europe. Though I fully understand and accept that Europe, the historic and cultural concept, is distinct from the European Union, the two are nevertheless so entwined at present as to be inseparable. In rejecting one, we necessarily reject – or at least offend – the other. What a shame. The Islamists must be euphoric.
Whether the right thing to do or not, Brexit will inevitably cause major disruption to the lives of ordinary British people. Many of us will come to miss the words ‘European Union’ at the top of our passports. Those words, though never triggering any kind of pride or patriotic emotion, guaranteed us the freedom to wander unobstructed across a magnificent continent. It gave us the right to live in Rome, Berlin, Stockholm, Madrid and Warsaw; to work in Krakow, Copenhagen, Helsinki and Tallinn. We will miss that freedom horribly until it is assured us once again.
EU governments have reacted to the referendum with shock and disappointment
On a brighter note, the benefits of us leaving the EU are not inconsiderable. We will soon have the right to decide exactly how many European migrants make it past our borders each year, as well as how many are allowed to settle permanently. No longer will an endless stream of labour gush through a doorless doorway, suppressing native wages and over-saturating the market for skilled labour.
As well as this, law-making will finally be returned to a sovereign British judiciary. No longer will we need to ask for EU permission to pass judgements on foreign criminals, terror suspects and ‘asylum’ seekers.
EU regulations, passed entirely in EU courts, will no longer apply, leaving us free to decide our own standards of quality, health and safety, as well as (crucially) the shape of our bananas and cucumbers.
Finally, and most importantly of all, our elected government will once again be the supreme authority over the British Isles. No longer will we need to waste calories and column inches whinging about ‘unelected bureaucrats in Brussels’ or ‘faceless EU dictators’. Now, if an unjust rule comes to prevail over this kingdom, we will be able to change it quickly and democratically. British rule, to oversimplify the matter, has returned to the British. We have our country back.
Boris Johnson has promised a ‘glorious’ future for Britain following Brexit
Five minutes ago, David Cameron addressed the nation from outside No.10 Downing Street. With rare emotion, the Prime Minister announced that he will be standing down sometime in the next three months.
As to who will replace him, almost everyone has the same person in mind; namely, Boris Alexander De Pfeffel Johnson – the yellow (not blonde) haired former Mayor of London and standout figure of the victorious leave campaign.
If this does come true – if Boris, perhaps joined by Michael Gove, rises to the executive of the British state on the back of Brexit – then that is another reason to temper one’s joy at the result of last night’s vote. Boris Johnson is an idiot, more of a clown than a politician. I would rather be ruled by almost anyone else.
Will Brexit be worth it in the end? Only time will tell for sure. I am honestly surprised by how lacklustre my enthusiasm for the result has been. I thought I would be tap-dancing with restless euphoria, possessed with native pride. But I’m not dancing. I’m not even smiling. The issue seems more nuanced in retrospect than it did in prospect.
If you derive from one of the nations still attached to the European Union, I would ask you to do whatever you can to prevent a grudge emerging between your country and Britain. We do not wish to divide the West. We are not, by leaving the EU, denying our European-ness. We are still one civilisation, one culture. Perhaps it would have been better to stay and reform the links that bound us together, but we’ve made our choice. Please don’t make it any harder for us than it already is.
D, LDN
Defend the Modern World 
You could have changed things from the inside balancing the “power” of Germany. Brexit is both a sign of a certain “arrogante” (Britons think they are special…), and weakeness cause they “lost” the battle to sold their view on EU reforms. Everybody in Europe loves and respects Britain, and, in a certain way, your decision is a crude disapointment causing a deep sense of loss for everybody. Brits are now happy as that child left alone to do what he pleased, but at the end of the day, you’ve started a path to be less important and meaningful. In economics thing will do well cause you have resources, capabilities and size. Politicaly you will be some kind of Switzerland or Canada. Nobody will care about your thoughts. Meanwhile your Brexit from the EU has the potencial to create a Brexit from UK if the Scotish want it… Se shall miss you Brits.
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It’s very likely that the Scots will call another referendum on independence. I think many SNP members were hoping for a Brexit all along. Some of them probably voted for it.
Britain will remain more influential than nations like Switzerland because of our military and our ties with America. We will lose some influence, but we’ll still have a strong voice on the international stage. I’m more concerned about the unity of Europe and the West.
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Thank you for your well tempered response to the historic vote that the people of Britain made last week. Initially in the lead up to the referendum my thoughts were with leave. I even had a one word answer as to why the sky would not collapse if Britain left the EU: Switzerland.
From the other side of the world with a non-Euro passport I was able to indulge in flip-flopping on this issue. However, after talking with many friends in the UK and Europe (British, Europeans and many Australians without EU privileges), I was convinced through sound points that ongoing reform of the EU offered better prospects for the British and for the whole of Europe, if not the world. Your example of working in Spain, is far from unique and it is clear in retrospect that is why so many young people voted to stay within EU. It is a great shame that opportunities for everyone – though the young in particular – in education, research and of course work have been diminished, not just for the British, but for all Europeans. In terms of reform of EU, they have one less partner in this mammoth task. It is still the biggest challenge to the continent of Europe to work through the growing pains of this phase of Project EU, and Britain is still in Europe.
Having said that, it is with great relief that despite the unexpected result that there is a mature approach from the majority of the political class to respect the will of the people. I was disappointed to watch David Cameron effectively resign. He offered good stewardship for Britain, I guess it was his Achilles Heal, and he chose humility to fall on his sword – he called it wrong. I tend to agree that Boris with his unkempt hair and cavalier attitude is not the best choice for Britain, and I worry that if he takes the reigns of the Prime Minister-ship then there will be more defections and resignations creating more uncertainty.
As far as the majority of British voters go: you can be sure that the British remain proud of their culture, proud enough to extricate themselves from Europe at least to assert their distinct culture. The self loathing that has infected other western nations was no where to be seen: even from the remain campaigners and that is a good thing. We should never under-estimate the power of populism. The famous quote from Churchill is now more apt than ever: “Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others.”
Of course, I can not end without referring to a similar populism arising in America. Mr Trump. He is a pure-populist candidate. As non-Americans we can cheer him on for the sake of change in America – however we do not have to live in America. At this point in the US race, I think he has made his point as a change agent. His character though to lead is a major concern. Interesting times.
Keep calm and carry on.
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Thank you.
Yes, the liberties we had to travel and work in Europe were very precious. The leavers have assured the British public that such rights will continue following a renegotiation, but this is unlikely. The French and Germans are apoplectic. They didn’t expect us to actually go through with Brexit. Nor did I. Nothing is certain at the moment.
“I was disappointed to watch David Cameron effectively resign. He offered good stewardship for Britain”
Though I disagree with David Cameron on many things, he is hugely preferable to a fraud like Boris Johnson. I fear Johnson now has the momentum behind him to ride all the way to No.10.
I think a Trump presidency would be less disruptive to America than Brexit will be to Britain. Trump can only change so much. His hands will be tied on many important issues. On those issues he is able to change, he is in the right.
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I believe Britain is too important a trade partner for most nations to be treated like an outcast. They may be angry at the beginning, but they will soon come on board again. Probably Britain will be last in the queue when new deals are made and it will have no say in the process, but hey, China is already lurking at the door. I’m sure you will be fine in the end. What worries me more is the inner divisions in Britain. What about that Londinpendence? It looks like London is totally estranged from the motherland and I think that is a pity
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Yes, London voted decisively for remain. I knew it would. There is also a stark generational divide. The young voted to remain, the old to leave. That’s potentially very destructive to social harmony, especially in a rapidly aging country such as ours. Young people are losing trust in the worldview promoted by the old. This worldview includes concepts like Christianity and ethnic homogeneity. If the generations split into rival camps, we might see a radicalisation of the young.
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DTMW, i think your intuition is likely correct that the EU bureaucracy, as well as the “remain” voters in the UK, will retaliate by becoming ever more tyrannical.
While our POTUS here has pulled back on his threats to put GB on the bottom of his foreign trade list, i believe he’s being dishonest about that merely to not seem so ugly, publicly. I’m sure certain leaders will need to keep a facade of #lovewins going on, after all.
I’m going to guess that there will either be a re-vote or that the politicians and lawyers of the UK will somehow wiggle out of the Brexit.
But i can understand the frustration of the “leave” voters. Reformations to the EU operations were not likely. The voters would have, at minimum, been satisfied with some reforms instead of a Brexit. But since that wasn’t gelling, i guess they felt the
“leave” vote was their best retaliation… a sentiment totally lost on the “remain” people, because they instead took it as a complete racist move on the part of the winners of this vote.
What a clusterf*ck. I’m so sorry for everyone there… and everywhere, actually. No one seems to be getting along, and in such an explosive way, lately.
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“I’m going to guess that there will either be a re-vote or that the politicians and lawyers of the UK will somehow wiggle out of the Brexit.”
You’re probably right. David Cameron said during the remain campaign that he would begin exit negotiations immediately following a vote to leave. At the time of writing he has done no such thing. I don’t fully believe we’re going to leave. The strange thing is, I’m not sure if I mind if we don’t.
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Bravo Britain and boo Scotland (historic enemy and often in collusion with the French to harm England). No surprises here. Let the wee country go find it’s mammy in the bosom of the EU. They already have their own pound and parliament. Let’s see how well that famous parsimoniousness works with the Euro as soon as Brussels starts asking for funds.
And of course the elephant in the room is IMMIGRATION, IMMIGRATION, IMMIGRATION—MUSLIM immigration! The words no mealy mouthed politician can utter. This referendum states the obvious and sends a clear message to those who would be happy to turn all of Britain into another Calais in order not to “appear racist”. In fact, maybe Calais can go back to being English as it was for hundreds of years.
The EU has played with fire and now their hands are burned. Boot Merkel, Europe. This is all her fault in so many ways. I applaud the voters of Britain who have the clarity of vision to see the incremental, and creeping control that Brussels has begun to assert and to nip it—if not in the bud—at least at the root and start the real conversation.
You are not leaving “Europe”, but the odious EU—a no brainer. Britain is and will always be the exception. Perhaps it’s geographic, perhaps it’s history and perhaps the unique culture and language that changed the world. Of course there are some unsavory aspects to British history, but why digress? The same holds true for every nation on Earth. Colonial guilt will get you nowhere. Anything that makes London and Cameron nervous can only be a good thing. Don’t worry Britain. Things will only get better.
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It’s certainly a relief to have our immigration policy back under control. I just wonder whether it will make much of a difference to immigration from the Muslim world. We have always had control over non-EU migration. We chose not to properly regulate it. Will that change now? I’m not sure.
I agree that Merkel deserves a great deal of the blame for Brexit. Her mismanagement of the ‘refugee’ debacle likely tipped the scales in favour of leave.
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“Don’t worry Britain. Things will only get better.”
I hope you’re right. We’re all very anxious at the moment.
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Brexit was essentially a protest vote against the ongoing Islamization of Europe, aided and abetted by the European elite, intent on creating an Eurabia out of Europe.
It was a protest vote against the suggestion that Turkey should be a part of EU (by David Cameron & others).
It was a protest vote against Angela Merkel and her mad decision to throw the gates of Europe to millions of Middle Eastern Muslims.
It was a protest vote against this artificially created ‘migrant’ or ‘refugee’ or ‘people seeking a better life’ (The names keep changing all the time) crisis and the EU elites inept (or malignant?)handling of the said ‘crisis’.
It’s is a vote against the mainstream leftist thought and mindset of the political elite and media.
It’s also a vote which says to the elite: Europe SHOULD retain its Judeo-Christian roots and its Secular Humanist values.
An European Union is a beautiful idea in theory. But an Islam-promoting EU is a bad idea! You say that Islam a point the party of an united Europe.
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“An European Union is a beautiful idea in theory. But an Islam-promoting EU is a bad idea!” – I agree. That’s the crux of the matter. The EU itself isn’t necessarily the problem. It’s the current leadership.
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Islam spoilt the notion of an United Europe.
With Islam out of the equation Brexit would have been defeated by a landslide! Fear of the ongoing Islamization of Europe (supported by the EU elite) was the strong undercurrent that carried the Brexit boat to victory.
No wonder that anti-Islam parties across Europe (falsely called far-right by the media) welcomed Brexit.
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I agree. Islam is to blame. Just one more reason to oppose it.
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Merkel will not be Chancellor forever. If Europe elected a new set of leaders opposed to Islam, the EU elite would have to adapt to reflect those opinions.
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http://www.breitbart.com/milo/2016/06/20/watch-milo-britain-leave-eu-stop-muslim-immigration/
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I don’t believe Brexit will have much influence on immigration from the Muslim world. David Cameron refused to take in Merkel’s proposed quota of ‘refugees’ and nothing was done about it. The EU is a toothless bully.
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http://www.faithfreedom.org/the-future-is-bright-beyond-brexit/
“The majority vote amongst the British to leave the EU shows the world there IS an alternative to the current version of globalisation – one where the West has to forever ‘adapt’ and apologise for its own rich culture and heritage in the face of the third world ‘noble savages’ whom we are expected to bow down to, house, clothe feed and accept the destruction of OUR OWN homelands for.”
“The unexpected Brexit result has shown that the majority of the UK voting public will no longer put up with the single most dangerous aspect of the current world order – the obsession within the EU and the Left with political correctness at any cost. Frau Merkel’s obsession with open borders, which has flooded the EU with 3rd world incomers, most of whom are not fleeing war but are rather opportunistic economic migrants, has literally cost the EU its 2nd wealthiest member state. The repercussions to the rest of the EU of this migrant tide in terms of the safety of women and minorities is stark – but the long term economic impact will be much worse as most migrants are Muslim and Muslims have a rich history in the West of failing to work and rather bleeding the welfare state dry (when they are not busy plotting terror against us).”
longer be silenced by being called nasty names like ‘racist’ each time we complain of unlimited migration destroying our communities. Brexit is the first TRULY popular vote of modern times – Trump’s presidency will be next in November – then watch the world’s elites shudder as their plan to destroy the morale and strength of the people through unfettered Muslim immigration is no longer being accepted.”
“We have it in our power to reclaim our sovereignty not just from the EU but also from the yoke of political correctness and from the global elites currently busy replacing the greatest civilisation ever – the Judeo-Christian one with the worst ever – the Muslim one. There is nothing racist in stating this”
“The US MUST vote in Trump, and the EU peoples which want to exit the EU must demand their votes soon – before it is too late and our populations are finally replaced, and the West turns to ruin like Pakistan or Afghanistan have since Muslim conquest.”
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Political correctness can survive without the EU. I agree about Trump.
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