The morning of 24 June came as a shock to many Britons, while some jubilated the victory of the Leave campaign, calling it 'Britain's independence', many shuddered in hopelessness and fear of what would come next. The pound and the market came crashing down, the banks in utter chaos- triggering paranoia in the City of London. While many Indian companies have reassured that their business relation with the UK remains the same as ever, it is interesting to note, that many South Asian populated areas in the UK such as Birmingham, Bradford, Milton Keynes, Luton have actually voted to leave the EU. The resignation of David Cameron has also raised many questions- especially the question of a fresh leadership to steer this huge ship with no radar at the moment- the contestants being ex London Mayor and current MP Boris Johnson and MP Michael Gove. It is evidential Boris may have an edge above the other among Indians- with his India connection- especially a barrister wife Marina, who is half Indian.
The 48% of voters who wished to Remain in the European Union are so mortified by the Leave result that a parliamentary petition calling for a second referendum has been reportedly set up.
Speaking to Asian Voice, Tania Mitra Ghosh said, “David Cameron is on his way out. Well played Boris (leave campaign leader). Political ambitions seem to have over taken everything else.”
Ranjana Datta said, “This has been an absolute political, social and economic earthquake. Now Scotland will again demand a referendum, then may be Wales will follow or perhaps Northern Ireland. We will crumble like a pack of cards. Unbelievable. Now thousands of pounds will be spent to get experts and put the house in order- which will cost us tax payers more and more money. I fear another recession is on its way.”
Vikram Balan, told the newspaper, “This is a pretty clear signal for all clearly unwelcome migrants to get out. This is becoming a closed inward looking country. Cameron's call for the Referendum has appeared to the concept of democracy. 52% have wanted this...Sad result though.”
Tikendra Dewan, a Retired Major in the Gurkha regiment said, “The UK has decided or at least England and Wales have decided to exit Europe. I feel it has been a pure emotional tidal wave led by the heart that won this referendum. Here I pause to salute the Scottish people who despite valid grounds for independence chose to remain United and once again chose to remain within the EU framework. What next if a second referendum for independence is called for? This also now begs the question on Northern Ireland’s position.
“The only pure winner in this whole campaign is Nigel Farage, a man who lost his seat in 2015 and hopes for entry through the back door by immediately pronouncing a need for a Brexit government. “The time has come for real, genuine, radical political reform” Nigel Farage said after losing his seat at Thanet South, 2015. Skip the pronunciation and his true ploy of real genuine radical political reform seems to have worked for him in this referendum. And only 2 to 3 hours after the results were announced when questioned by Susanna on the ITV Good Morning programme whether the £350m that goes to Europe will now go to the NHS, with a straight face his reply was NO and that it was a mistake made by the Leave party!!
“It is undeniable that Immigration swayed the poll. The Remain camp should have taken a more serious and robust response to this crisis. Jeremy Corbyn’s weak response to Andrew Marr’s question on immigration that there could be no limit imposed, reconfirmed his Labour followers’ fear. David Cameron too could not produce a confirmed answer to the problem. Agreeing to the EU’s imposition that UK would honour the open door policy only if backed by a welfare fund from the Central EU Funds to assist the numbers flowing in could perhaps have been a solution? The overwhelming turn up of voters confirm this fear and had even 4% from the 28% that did not bother to turn up voted to Remain it would have been a different story today.
“There were many Nostradamus on both sides, we must therefore remain united and stronger than ever before to fight the predicted doom. The strength of the UK lies in its democracy, generosity, unity and firm belief in victory and it is every citizen’s responsibility to fight for these beliefs.”
But then not all Asians are skeptical of Britain's future outside the EU as an anti-immigrant, a racist or xenophobic nation. Tanu Kurein told the newspaper, “This has nothing to do with migrants. It's about regulating free access to public funds and making a decision as a nation of how you'll run your country. Refuge and asylum was never the question. It'll be business as usual for non EU nationals. It also means that non EU nationals now have an equal chance to apply for jobs in the UK. Also just because UK is out of a free economic trade zone it doesn't mean that they'll stop doing business. Have you seen the number of BMW'S, Mercedes and Audi's on the road? You think Germany will want to lose that revenue? Once the dust settle it will be business as usual. Or possibly at a better level. Status quo is not always the best answer.”
Similarly Bharat Vaswani added, “I voted leave and I have no issue with migrants. I am one too. This changes the playing field and I think it will be better for the UK in the long run. UK has business, innovation and a strong currency. Also it's not that UK has split from Europe, it has chosen not to be a part of a unions. Now let's hope that divisive politicians like Nicola Sturgeon would not try and milk this to actually split the country.”
Ujjaini Ghosh said, “Singapore faced a similar dilemma on separating from Malaysia in 1965, needless to say it did well under a prolific leadership of Lee Kuan Yew . What matters is who will lead Britain now? What is the underlying philosophy or strategy to be adopted by Britain?”
Nishma Gosrani added, “The British people have voted to leave the EU and their view must be respected. What's important now is that we reunite the country, we stabilise the markets and the economy and we reassure our allies that Britain is not turning its back on the world.
“We need to respect the democratic outcome of this referendum. (In my view, the referendum should have never taken place).
“However, with change comes a period of uneasiness, followed by huge opportunities. Time to venture ahead into unexplored territories, find the opportunities, and secure a great future for GREAT Britain...”
