Does leaving the EU also mean leaving the Single Market?

On the 23rd of June 2016, the British electorate were asked a question: “Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?”

That question has now been answered. The important debate now is what will Britain look like going forward.

The first big debate that must take place is wether or not the UK maintains its free trade arrangements with European nations who subscribe to what is called the "Single Market" - a free trade area where companies can move goods, capital and labour across borders without tariffs or customs charges.

We are now being told, however, that this has already been decided, by implication of the referendum on the 23rd of June. That somehow we all missed the small print somewhere on the back of the ballot paper that a vote to Leave the European Union - a political institution - was automatically a vote to also leave each of it’s satellite institutions.

Of course, this is nonsense. If it’s not on the ballot paper, you cannot argue that it is the will of the people.

But we are told that “out means out”, that you cannot subscribe to the EU’s satellite institutions if you are not a full member. This is also incorrect. Both Switzerland and Norway have access to the Single Market, neither of which are members of the EU.

The debate on Britain’s membership of the Single Market, the European Court of Justice, the Customs Union, and so on, must be debated properly in Parliament, and opinions from all sides must be heard and respected. These issues were not addressed in the referendum.

It is, in my opinion, extremely presumptuous to say, based solely on interpretations of the subtext of the ballot paper, that these issues should not be contested or challenged, and that to do so is to "defy the will of the people." I believe that such a proposition will only encourage the alarmingly fanatical spirit of intolerance which has already polluted the political debate in the country at large, and so further damage our increasingly fragile democracy.

I have come to accept that Britain is going to leave the EU. Brexit is the most important political issue facing Britain in my lifetime. I suspect that history will remember this event as one of the biggest political mistakes in recent years, but once the cow has been milked there is no squirting the cream back up her udder, so here we are to see things through.

I therefore am proud to remain a pro-European. My ideal would be, firstly, that the EU will be forced to recognise that it has to change in order to survive; no one wants a United States of Europe, a modern Tower of Babel, other than the political elite. European citizens do want some boundaries to be respected, in the same way that everyone wants privacy in their own home.

Secondly, that Britain will be able to maintain its unrestricted access to the economic community of Europe, and the benefits of.

And most importantly, that this government will commit itself to strengthening the British economy now, before we leave, so as to counter any potential economic shockwave that may come about when we eventually exit.

Brexit High Court Ruling: What Does This All Mean?

Above: A snapshot of recent headlines in the UK press. Last month the British High Court ruled that the UK Parliament must be consulted before the Government is allowed to trigger Article 50 - starting Britain's exit from the European Union.

Britain's bizarre year in politics continues as the British High Court and Supreme Court get involved in this Brexit business. To anyone feeling a little confused by what's happening, you're not alone, but perhaps this explanation will help.

It's ironic that these judges are now being labelled by the British tabloids as "enemies of the people." In reality, all that's happened is that the Conservative Government has been ordered to comply with the rules of British democracy.

In simple terms, here's how the UK system of government works:

• 650 Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected by the British public.
• The political party with a majority of MPs forms a Government, and
• The leader of that winning party gets to be Prime Minister.

     [Some time later]

• The Government makes a proposal on something it wants to do, and
• The House of Commons (the same 650 MPs) vote on it - yes or no,
• If yes, then the House of Lords votes on it,
• If yes, then the Queen rubber-stamps it,
• Then it becomes law.

That's how stuff gets done in UK Government.

The EU Referendum is a slightly more sticky subject. This is because (1) the former Prime Minster (now resigned) promised to honour the result, and (2) leaving the EU is very complicated - it's not like quitting your job where you give notice, you get a P45, you're free. It's more like uprooting and replanting a very big, very old tree. The UK and EU are in a kind of symbiosis with each other on many complex levels.

Shortly after the UK voted to Leave the EU in the June referendum, there was some controversy after a number of MPs said they would oppose Brexit, pending a parliamentary vote to confirm or annul the result. Others were outraged by these statements, asserting that such an action would be undemocratic. In actual fact, for MPs to vote in favour or against the result of a referendum is more a question of morality and conscience. If you understand how parliamentary sovereignty works, it would in reality be undemocratic for the Houses not to get to vote on the issue - as the Supreme Court have now confirmed. Why?

A referendum in the United Kingdom is - and always has been - a formal public opinion poll. It is advisory, it is not legally binding. For this reason, any result, even by a clear margin, cannot be held in the same standing as a general election.

Therefore, an elected Government is not legally obliged to implement the result of any referendum unless the result it is also backed by Parliament. In a parliamentary democracy, power lies with Parliament, not the Government, with the latter only acting as the majority of the former. This means that although they won the referendum campaign, the Brexiteers within the Conservative party are still accountable to, and subject to the rules of parliamentary democracy. The referendum does not put them above that fact. Similarly, a US President cannot do as he pleases without the approval of Congress. It's essentially the same principle.

The current upheaval is happening because the Government seems to be keeping other MPs and the public in the dark about their Brexit plans, even implying that they can do it without the approval of parliament all together. It went to the High Court, and they said that parliament must be allowed to vote. The press have since decided that the courts are corrupt.

As for my personal take this, I recently wrote to my MP, who campaigned for the Remain side. He wrote back to me saying that while he was disappointed by the result, he felt he had a duty to uphold it regardless. I can respect that. I do believe strongly, however, that this Government has a duty to put this issue to the Houses of Commons in a parliamentary vote. To try to circumvent this would be a betrayal of the democracy they claim to be upholding. Equally, for ministers to cite the "public mandate" of the referendum result as an excuse to exclude the other 322 elected MPs is not democratic, it is self-righteous and it is illegal.

As for the campaign for a second referendum (a campaign that, ironically, seems to have been started by a Leave campaigner prior to the vote) I was initially a supporter, but now I must concede that I don't think that a second referendum it is realistic.

If there is one thing that is clear, it is that the country remains bitterly divided on this issue, and nobody seems to have any idea what Brexit actually means.

Dear United States of America

Dear United States of America,

You are being asked to make a judgement about who you want to represent you as your country's President.

If we Brits have learned anything from our own politics in 2016, it is that fear is easier to sell than fact, and criticism easier to follow than reason. News networks will only show you what they want you to see, and in some cases only what they are being paid to show you. Social networks will only show you varying levels of uninformed opinion. Tabloids will only show you lies; they know fear sells, and they are only concerned with the bottom line.

Now it’s your turn at the ballot box, America. Trust your own judgement and common sense. However you vote on Tuesday, do not let fear decide your vote, but make every effort to make an informed, conscientious choice.

Rooting for ya'll.

#GoUSA #Election2016

[ image source: Google images ]

If There's One Positive from this Referendum ...

I cannot remember, in my lifetime, a time when all the major British political parties - otherwise in opposition - agreed on any single issue:

That it is within British interest to Remain a member of the European Union.


As well as the above, the following are also in agreement:

• Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England
• Simon Stevens, Chief Executive of NHS England
• Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London
• Michael O’Leary, CEO, Ryanair
• Richard Branson, Founder of the Virgin Group
• Lord Alan Sugar, British Businessman
• Professor Michael Dougan, Lecturer & Parliamentary Consultant on EU Law
• John Major, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
• Tony Bair, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
• Gordon Brown, former Prime Minister & Chancellor of the Exchequer
• All leaders of EU nations
• Barack Obama, President of the United States of America
• President of China
• President of India
• President of Canada
• President of New Zealand
• President of Japan
• Former United Nations Leader
• Secretary General of NATO
• International Monetary Fund
• Institute for Fiscal Studies
• Confederation of British Industry
• Director of the World Trade Organisation
• Ngaire Woods, Professor of Economics Oxford University
• Stephen Hawking
• 13 Nobel Prize Winners
• Oxford University

To name a few.

#VoteRemain

Nick Clegg on the EU vs UK Parliaments

Found this online and trimmed it to this short extract. Makes a very good point about dealing with the frustration of political institutions from someone who worked both in Brussels and Westminster.

Former MEP & Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, speaks briefly about his experience working in the European Parliament vs the UK Parliament, and the challenges of both.

Why I'm voting to Remain

Dear friends,

I have decided to vote to Remain on Thursday. Here's why.

I am not an economist. I am not a politician. I've tried my best to understand both sides of the argument in this debate, but ultimately, the reasons that affect my vote aren't political, they are personal.

Let me explain a little how the EU directly affects me and my family:

• I have a very talented sister who (as well as English) is fluent in three other European languages and has lived, studied and worked in Europe. She would tell you that, though she doesn't make much money, she was able to pursue these passions thanks to her rights as an EU Citizen*: freedom of movement, right of residence, right to work, right of non-discrimination, diplomatic and consular protection, etc.

• My dad is a scientist working in higher education. His department works within the EU to better understand our planet, the environment and climate change. That is how I know the scientific community in Europe depends on the EU because it is a vehicle for collaboration, partnership and funding. Oh, by the way, his job is paid for by the EU.

• My mum is a linguist at the European headquarters of a large Industrial Equipment Manufacturer based in South Wales which exports mainly to EU countries. Her job is as a sales liaison with European clients. She and her colleagues rely on access to the EU's Single Market in order to maintain their competitive edge.

• I have another sister who is due this year to marry an immigrant into this country. He is a good man who is currently making a positive contribution to our society. He is intelligent honourable, and a positive example to those around him. We need people like that.

In addition, I have family currently living, working and going to school in France. I wrote to my uncle asking for his perspective, you can read the reply here. How a Brexit will affect them is uncertain right now, and I`m not going to pretend I know just to win a debate. However, there are a number factors which do affect me personally - and indeed all Britons - when it comes to travel, not just within Europe but also internationally. For example:

• I keep in my wallet a European Health Insurance Card* in case of emergecy
• When I travel in Europe, I do not need to apply for a visa
• If travelling anywhere in the world and an emergency situation arises and I require consular assistance,* if I am unable to get to the British embassy there are 27 other embassies I can go to.
• The reduced cost of airline flights and travel insurance between EU countries
• UK mobile networks offer internet data roaming in Europe at no extra cost
• All these, and more, are only due to Britain`s membership of the EU

If I'm going to be persuaded to give up all of these and also my rights as an EU Citizen mentioned earlier, there better be a good reason. So far, having followed Vote Leave on Twitter and Facebook for some weeks, I am yet to find a coherent plan for the Economy or Foreign Diplomacy from anyone in the Brexit Camp, just a vague notion of the Britain of yesterday. That simply is not good enough for me. There have been many times in my life where I've been in a job I've hated, but it put bread on the table and allowed me to go on holiday once in a while, and I know from experience that you don't just quit without a plan for what's next.

Now, a word on some of these 'European immigrants' - or as I prefer to call them, my friends. Many of my friends, co-workers and fellow worshippers of God who live or have lived in Cardiff are Spanish, Norwegian, Portuguese, Romanian, Irish, German, Swiss, Czech, Swedish, Italian, French...  all from European free-movement states, and all of these people, as far as I have seen, have made a positive contribution to our society, and not the negative drain that some (brandishing proverbial pitchforks and flame-torches) would have us believe. I am not ashamed to say that it is my personal conviction that Cardiff is a better place to live because of them and I appose any notion that would make them feel that they are unwelcome in this country.

Finally, with respect to my own political views, I will simply say this: I do not know of a time in my lifetime when all the major political parties agreed on any single issue. As well as this Conservative Government - which was voted in by the British public - the Labour Party, the Lib Dems, the SNP, Greens, Plaid Cymru and others, all agree that to remain in the EU is within our country’s interest. I cannot ignore that fact.

For this reason, I will be voting to Remain come Thursday, and I would recommend to you to do the same also.

#DropMic

* EU Citizenship, see http://ec.europa.eu/justice/citizen/

Perspective of a British National Living in the EU

I have family who live, work and go to school in the EU. I wrote to them and asked for their perspective on the EU debate. Specifically, how EU membership has helped them as a family; the impact of a potential Brexit, and what they make of this debate. I wanted to share the response as I think it's a very interesting and balanced perspective.

Gareth

For us Brits, like back home, we have taken for granted many benefits of EU membership. You are reminded of its priveleges when for instance you have American friends here - they cannot work, there are no health benefits. A settled life here is very difficult for them unless they are retired. They can put their children into state schools though. The French don't make it easier for non french EU citizens of course so accessing these priveleges is difficult. I guess the French government and system cheats on us a bit. 

How much of this will change if UK exists is uncertain. They probably wouldn't bunge everyone out and some special agreements might well be formed - as they are for other non EU states within Europe eg the Swiss. Health care would probably be reciprocal. Our children could access free state education. Work might or might not be permitted - but they don't make it easy at the best of times so for many Brits this might not make a difference.

I think that the immigration argument is not as strong as people think and if we do come out my betting is that in say three years, immigration will be as high as ever; Non EU membership is not going to stop the Calais crisis for instance (immigrants there are in breach of EU rules anyway and a Brexit is going to make no difference to their determination to come to the UK). I cannot see UK throwing out EU immigrant workers either - are we going to throw out the 200,000 French in London? If not can we really chuck out the Poles? Most immigration is from non EU states and the UK is going to continue to permit that. Non EU status is not going to mean we don't have obligations under international law so asylum applications will remain as high as ever.

On the geo politicial front I think a strong united Europe is important both to protect the outer east fringes (formed USSR states) against Russian expansionism. and as a balwrak against US influences. I think that the US needs to have a credible power - pro west but not in their laps. A force for moderation. 

So I vote stay in.

Chris