Leaving EU was a disastrous decision for Britain. Just look at the following consequences.
- The referendum was unnecessary. Cameron thought that he could win it with great ease, and his confidence was so great that he even waived the principle of Cabinet’s collective responsibility. This decision has set a precedent that will haunt Britain for years.
- The referendum continued to carry the stamp of UKIP and served its agenda. At each stage of the campaign the UKIP dictated its language and issues.
- The Leave coalition said that it was hostile to EU migration but not to that from outside it. Racial sentiments cannot be so neatly compartmentalised and have now begun to target non-EU migrants as well, leaving behind a toxic legacy.
- The referendum campaign was suffused with the language of ‘our’ country, ‘our’ way of life, and displayed a narrow minded English nationalism not to be found elsewhere in the U.K. This nationalism is not going to go away and one shudders to think what pernicious forms it will take.
- Britain’s reputation is in tatters. During its 40 odd years membership of the EU it kept asking for special exemptions, modifications of treaties, etc. and yet it was never satisfied. Indeed it could never be a good partner. Worse, it even infected other EU countries with its mind set and threatened to break up the EU by encouraging them to go their own way.
- Finally, even if Britain decided to leave EU, it could have done so with some regret as all good divorces do. Instead there is unrepentant and unqualified triumphalism, a perverse pleasure at kicking the EU in its teeth and teaching ‘foreigners’ a few lessons. This shows how little good will there was for the EU, and how it was always treated as just a common market and an instrument of foreign policy.
- Lord Bhikhu Parekh
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Last week’s referendum result is very disappointing. I very much supported the remain campaign’s message on the economy and I do worry about what may now happen. The economic consequences could be very serious and – if we don’t now take the necessary steps to help the economy – could take a long time to recover from. We are entering a period of uncertainty and it is essential that, whoever now takes these matters forward, must do all they can to retain the foreign firms and investment that play such a vital role in our economy. In particular I feel that this will have a very harmful impact on our trade relationship with India, which invested heavily in the UK because of our place in the single market.
The other element that I’m extremely upset about is the resignation of David Cameron. He has been an outstanding leader and Prime Minister and a real friend to the British Indian community. Very few – if any – politicians have done more to engage with the British Indian community than him. I believe both my Party and my country will be weaker without him.
- Lord Dolar Popat
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Britain will have a strong, secure and prosperous future outside of the EU. We will be able to establish trade deals with countries across the world, including India, and introduce a fair and balanced immigration system that welcomes the brightest and the best from around the world. There are fantastic opportunities for our country to take and in the weeks ahead it is important that the country comes together, respects the Referendum result and looks forward with hope and optimism for the future.
- Rt Hon Priti Patel, MP
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We are now beginning the long and drawn out process of leaving the European Union, turning our backs on Europe and saying that we want to look inwards not outwards. We are diminished as a nation.
But we have been given an opportunity to reset our relationships across the globe, and so from this disaster there may be a small glimmer of hope. We are now free to seek out new free-trade agreements wherever we wish. This is not without its challenges. British diplomats haven't negotiated trade deals for over 40 years, but if we think strategically we can gain something.
- Rt Hon Virendra Sharma
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Initially I was in favour of Brexit. I am sure like most other people who voted for Brexit felt that once we are out things will instantaneously change and go back to how it was before we were part of the EU. Then I read an article about Norway which stated three things.
1. They have to pay a very substantial levy to trade with EU,
2. They have to abide by all the rules set by the EU and
3. They are not able to stop people coming from other countries of the EU. On this basis their feeling was that whilst they are out of the EU the only difference was they didn't have a voice in the EU.
That made me realise that things will not revert to what they were but we will go through a period of uncertainty and probably great difficulty, and therefore it is best to stay in at this stage.
- Baroness Shreela Flather
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Brexit is just a decision thus far to,leave the EU.,but the process of withdrawal,will,take at least two,to three years and it will be only 2020"before we know the changes in the UK's relations with EU.there is time for calm thinking and making sure that we get the best deal.during our negotiations. While the Referendum decision is one I don't agree with, the task now is to make the best arrangement for British citizens.
Lord Meghnad Desai
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(Please see page 2, 3 and 8 for Rt Hon Keith Vaz, Lord Navnit Dholakia and Lord Karan Bilimoria's opinion on Brexit)
