Congratulations to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Nothern Ireland for voting to leave the European Union. It seems real because it has prompted Cameron to resign.
The EU began in 1957 as the European Economic Community, originally a free-trade zone for western Europe. And that’s a good thing. Unfortunately, over the decades (and especially after it became the European Union in 1993), the EU devolved into an intensively oppressive bureaucracy that imposes endless, krazy regulations on its member states and, for practical purposes, voids democracy in them.
Britain should gain a brighter economic future from the separation. The “Remain” campaign, of course, tried to claim the opposite. Britain does massive trade with the rest of the EU, and the “Remain” campaign tried to scare voters that the trade will be lost. Which is ridiculous; the EU itself needs its British trade, and the example of Switzerland (not to mention China or the U.S.) proves that independent countries can do massive trade with the EU.
But it’s not just the economics: Separating from the EU (if that is now put into practice) should mean that Britain has regained an important part of its sovereignty and its democracy.
On a personal note: This event is a pleasant surprise for me. Despite the “Leave” campaign’s leading in many British polls, I was sure that the British-EU elites would manipulate the election so that “Remain” had to win. (Manipulate the voters and/or the voting, the counting, etc.)
In other words, I was sure that British democracy was already dead. Today’s news reminds me, in a happy way, that I don’t know everything. Just to put sprinkles on the ice cream, it’s also a well-deserved slap in President Obama’s face.
UPDATE:
- This is very much a win for Nigel Farage.
- If you want to learn more, it’s not too late to watch Brexit: The Movie.
UP-UPDATE: Cyril’s comment inspired me to adorn the post thusly:
Unlike the other major traditional European powers, the UK had it’s overseas Commonwealth and it’s special ties to the US and Canada. It was always the Continent and the British Isles, with the Channel in between. And once the UK breaks free of the EU, I suspect that Scotland either won’t leave — or will not be allowed to leave. The Irish Republic already has special-status with Northern Ireland that partially-extend to the rest of the UK with regards to immigration, residency many tariffs and customs. Westminster has already-suggested that any temporary customs and border-controls could be established at the Irish Sea crossings rather than the land-border between the Republic and the North under existing treaties.
Just as we have NAFTA, there’s a new North Atlantic Alliance in our future; the US, Canada, the UK and maybe the Irish Republic and even Iceland. We and they already have extensive ties to Australia and New Zealand.
Just in the nick of time, too. Brussels is well on its way to creating a European superstate: there are plans to institute a singular European treasury (headquartered in Brussels, naturally), and an EU military. Britain has narrowly escaped losing its national sovereignty.
Which triggers another thought….With Britain gone, Germany looms larger (within the EU). Think Greece will like that much? or the Netherlands? or France?
Italy could be next Grillo and his Cinque Stelle Movement, grew through proposing that Italy leave the EU and to restore the Lira as its currency. Viva Italia!, Vive indipendenza!
I’ve been fairly-convinced that the ‘European Experiment’ as-they-called-it was doomed since when over 20-years ago when Yugoslavia exploded into much bloodshed and ugliness. All the European continental powers did was prevaricate and engage in solipsistic navel-gazing about “…how terrible it was.”
– The shelling of the historic port of Dubrovnik.
– The shameless reappearance of barbed-wire concentration camps on European soil.
– The unanswered humiliation of Dutch Forces at Srebrenica, and the subsequent mass-murders of the entire male population despite assurances of “protection”.
– The slow-motion destruction of Sarajevo.
I was/am conflicted about the outcome no matter which way it went, as I see arguments for both sides. But one good lesson? This is how mature, stable political entities / States deal with things. Not through terrorism and despotism. It’s what happens when over a couple of hundred years you let enlightened people take over from religious zealots and corrupt hereditary rulers. (See how that works, muslim nations?)
Every kingdom, every empire, ever nation-state in history had assumed it was permanent. It’s never worked out that way.
England struck a blow for freedom and representative government.
I will join those saying I was quite surprised that the vote went the way it did. Frankly, I thought England was done. Don’t worry, divorce is tough but life will get better! That gives me a little hope that the lovers of liberty and freedom over here may actually prevail in the upcoming election.
Love the fact that Obama “the great one in whom all the nations will bow down to” got hosed.
Hopefully those placed in-charge of pending negotiations will be hard-nosed and ruthless.
– British ex-pats’ continued-Rights in the EU vs. the 2-3 million EU citizens who live and work in the UK. (Psst, it’s called ‘hostages’.)
– The status of Scotland vs. being maltreated in renegotiating the UK’s relationship with the EU. And even the status of Gibraltar where they want to stay in the EU. The EU bosses can’t just throw the UK out, and expect to re-admit Scotland by the backdoor on the cheap. The same goes for Northern Ireland.
– Send UK negotiators with instructions that they only speak German at the conference table, just to remind the rest who’ now in-charge in the Continent. The Germans will be mortified — and very defensive.
“Psst, it’s called ‘hostages’”
This made me laugh. 🙂
It would be interesting to know why so many people voted to remain. Are they opposed to having a shot at accountable government?
Do you suppose that the ruling classes on both sides of the pond may be considering that they’ve overplayed their hand? Are they surprised that we unwashed masses have started to question their “wisdom”?
I don’t know, but these would be my top guesses:
1) The Remain campaign terrorized voters with a “Sky is falling!” campaign.
2) Many Britons dislike the idea of their nation being independent, sovereign, in control of its own borders. (Just like America’s Left.)
3) Many Britons live off the EU in some way – or aspire to.
Of course they may overlap. For example, if you live off the EU then you probably dislike British sovereignty and tried to scare your fellow voters into remaining.
I think it is a good idea for Brexit. One world govt is not a good notion. You lose your sovereignty.
This news made the day of this french dude !
Woot woot woot !
All Hail the Brave U.K. !!! 🙂
Keep Calm
and
F— Socialism !
Has anyone heard any media outlet discussing 1. The potential upsides for Britain upon leaving the EU (e.g. more local control, more control over their currency) or 2. The reasons why people voted to leave (the EU is an undemocratic bureaucratic tyrannical entity)?
Scotland voted to remain and will hold another referendum on independence and Brexit has provided a reason to vote ‘Yes’ and become part of the EU. (The Scottish FM Nicola Sturgeon is a douche, btw.) The movement to consolidate RoI and Northern Ireland has regained strength. Denmark, The Netherlands, Sweden, and Italy are all discussing an exit strategy while former French PM Sarkozy reiterated that Turkey “…has no place int eh EU.” Since the UK is/was the second-highest financial contributor to Brussels, things don’t look good for Germany and the Merkel government has repeatedly stated its support for the EU despite Germany bearing a very high cost, financially and socially. Heads are going to roll all across Europe without the employment of a single guillotine. Heck, Belgium itself can barely hold itself together and that was only recently. Re. Obama, he warned that the UK would find itself “…at the back of the queue…” in trade negotiations with the US if Brexit succeeded. He doubled-down today.
And China, meanwhile, has begun to throw London some business: http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2016-05/26/content_25484024.htm
It was only a $450m bond issue, but it was “a first” for China – and with highly symbolic timing. My guess (I emphasize guess) is that China was signalling to the UK’s “financial” segment that an Exit vote would turn out OK and that China quietly or covertly wanted it.
The unelected vampire squids in Brussels seek to profit from destroying all of European culture. They even took away Britain’s ability to feed itself from the sea. You could tell on the voting maps it was the 3rd world benefit seekers voting for remain.
Cyril – please enjoy the post’s latest update! 🙂
My guess re. China has to do with 1) Hong Kong and China’s momentous and very smart decision not to subsume the province into the mainland political structure and 2) is a similar move that Frankfurt is making in order to secure financial business from London firms that no longer have to deal with or through Brussels.
@ 15. Actually the European Unión is not the one world government. It is regional. Any government beyond national is not a good notion. The title of one world government belongs to the failed United Nations. I would like to see a movement for the U.S. to withdraw from the UN and give them an eviction notice. The premises can be converted into commercial property that will pay taxes to both New York City and State. We pay one forth of its annual budget and get sh*t on for our generosity.
The Scots might have 2nd-thoughts about secession from a post-Brexit UK and attempting to re-join the EU. The first Scottish Referendum was based on Scotland continuing to enjoy the UK’s special relationship to the EU, and access to the Pound-Sterling. Less interference from Westminster AND less supervision from Brussels.
Now they risk having Brussels’ full, undivided-intervention like Greece or Latvia….and the Euro at $40/bbl oil.
You’re welcome, dear V !
I was browsing the french left toilet newspapers over the week end and LMAO … they are so pissed at what the Brexit might inspire elsewhere (e.g., Sweden, etc)
I’m loving it. 😀
More later.
I’m just glad the British, at least, have the balls to say no to more subjection to the commie-infested EU “parliament”. Good for them. While we french seemingly still need to get raped some more before we get a clue.
P.S.
France’s economy is going down the drain now. Total unrest in Paris. Even the anti riot cops are begging for this to stop by now. Or I suspect they ll end up getting really pissed and start using real bullets. Oh the irony, a socialist government shooting at angry commies, that’d be “creme de la creme” lol 🙂
P.P.S.
My folks over there are ok, that’s all I care about.
P.P.P.S.
I had been calling this total mess for years before leaving in 2009.
@21 : I just did !
In liberty!
Cyril
Please note the vote for leave was carried by England and Wales. Wales voted several percentage points higher to exit. Feisty, beautiful and far more brave than washed out Scotland. Cymru am byth!