The EU Referendum result has brought along an incredible amount of uncertainties in the UK. The Brexit camp winning EU referendum by a margin of 4% has changed the fate of the country- though the effects have been something pundits have not expected at all. To everybody's shock, racism is on the rise, wheeling the country back by at least 50 years, economic apocalypse- financial markets in doldrums (may whatever Boris Johnson writes in his Telegraph column), pounds hitting 31 years low and pessimism looming in housing markets, a power vacuum in Whitehall- half of the leaders resigned from respective roles- including 'Brexit champion' Nigel Farage, others demanding clarity out of the mess and Jeremy Corbyn- who refuses to step down with dignity as the Labour party head.
On top of this, the government is facing a lawsuit, by a prominent law firm, which is taking pre-emptive legal action following the EU referendum result, to try to ensure article 50 is not triggered without an act of parliament, the Guardian has reported. Acting on behalf of an anonymous group of clients, solicitors at Mishcon de Reya have reportedly been in contact with government lawyers to seek assurances over the process, and plan to pursue it through the courts if they are not satisfied.
The leadership campaign in Whitehall has gained momentum. Theresa May, an all time favourite of the party as a tough negotiator, has let her guard down and spoken about personal life- children, her husband Philip John May and has given us the first glimpse of her softer side as a woman. She has already warned the government to replace the Trident in the wake of Brexit. Her over-commitment to immigration control- including her threat to deport EU citizens, have displeased Britons while Chancellor Angela Merkell of Germany has started discussion on offering dual citizenship to British youth.
The Tory leadership contest has finally boiled to two women- Andrea Leadsom, backed by Boris Johnson and Theresa May. Of course Michael Gove is there- but his chances of winning are getting bleak, as Johnson supporters are now likely to follow Leadsom. As we went to press, a poll suggested that May is leading the race though Leadsom is expected to win more support than Gove.
In City AM of Tuesday, Rajesh Agrawal, Sadiq Khan's new Deputy Mayor for Business wrote, “London is and will always be open for business...Sadiq and I are clear that, as the driving force of the UK’s economy, London must have a seat at the decision-making table for the process of negotiation with the EU.
“Within that discussion, first and foremost, we will seek to protect our access to the Single Market and passporting, which have long been central to London’s appeal as a base for financial and professional services. Sadiq will be pressing the new Prime Minister, whoever he or she may be, and the EU to reach agreement on this key principle as soon as possible.
“While we go about that process, writing as a businessman to other businesspeople, I ask for your support and confidence. Working together, we can keep London open for business, and keep it leading in the world. This is no time for knee-jerk decisions, and I know that our international businesses, and their leaders, will share in my aim of keeping the ship steady as we enter choppy economic waters...”
In the same issue, Priti Patel, The Minister for Employment and Alpesh Patel, Chief Executive of Praefinium Partners, a UK based global asset manager said, “Our vision is to make doing business in Britain easier than in any other country, creating more growth and more jobs. All sides of the debate know this is a worthy goal. And if you want to see this at work in its early stages, look at the positive comments in the Indian press about the prospects for a future trade deal with Britain outside the EU. India is one of the largest investors in Britain, and deepening our ties will hugely benefit both of our economies.
We need a calm, stable, open and balanced economy in which all sections of society share in our prosperity. To achieve this, both politicians and business must move forward with a common vision to make the most of the opportunities that are opening up for Britain outside the EU.”
While UK after Brexit is attracting Swiss right wing support to fight immigration, the Labour party has planned a debate over EU immigrant future on Wednesday. Jeremy Corbyn has pleaded with his Mps to come together to fight odds, but its the Labour deputy leader Tom Watson held talks with trade union chiefs in an attempt to end the impasse over Jeremy Corbyn's position, but a solution is yet to be found.
While Boris continues to condemn the government for failing to highlight positives of Brexit, the Queen has called for “quiet thinking and contemplation” in her first public address since the EU Referendum. These are definite trying times for the UK, but it may not take long for the UK to look like a relative safe haven as summer approaches finally.
