Ever since the result of the EU referendum on 23rd June 2016 I have been feeling depressed. Here are 10 things I hate about Brexit (and I’m sure the list will get longer over time).
10 things I hate about Brexit seems like a very short list of reasons for being a strong Remain supporter. Alas, Britain is indeed leaving the European Union but that doesn’t stop me from being upset about it.
Contents
Updates
MAY 2017 UPDATE: There is still NO RECIPROCAL AGREEMENT on the status of EU citizens in the UK and UK citizens in Europe. In the meantime, the Home Office is advising European nationals AGAINST applying for permanent residency.
DECEMBER 2016 UPDATE: HM Government has not announced nor confirmed that EU citizens will be allowed to stay in the UK. However, EU negotiator Guy Verhofstadt proposed that UK citizens could opt-in to keep their EU citizenship.
OCTOBER 2016 UPDATE: The Independent disclosed on 8th October 2016 that EU nationals will be allowed to stay after Brexit. However, this was never confirmed by the Government. It seems to me that Europeans will be mildly tolerated while being regarded as second-class citizens. However, there is no official statement from the government regarding the status of European citizens after 2019.
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Rampant Racism
I don’t want to believe those who said the UK has always had a racist underbelly. My experience of living in London for twenty years has been a positive one, witnessing an inclusive society and a culture of tolerance.
The vote to leave the European Union somehow made intolerance acceptable and the vociferous few feel entitled to denigrate immigrants.
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Brexiters’ Arrogance on Social Media
I was not expecting Brexiters to insult Remainers on social media. While I can’t generalise, I have often seen Brexiters tell Remainers to “shut up” and accept the result of the democratic vote. Stiff upper lip and all that, because according to Leavers democracy means silencing the opposition.
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Saying Goodbye to Good Friends
Like many other people in the UK, I have plenty of European friends. It will be very upsetting having to say goodbye to them, as the UK loosens its ties with the European Union and the status of EU citizens in Great Britain is uncertain during the Brexit process. Some European nationals will vote with their feet and move to another European country where they are made to feel welcome and appreciated.
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European Citizens Used as Bargaining Chips
With no reassurances whether they will retain their rights post-Brexit, European nationals await their fate while being told they may have to pack their bags if the status of British expats in the EU is not guaranteed as part of the negotiations. Also, no acknowledgement is being given to EU nationals for their contribution to UK society. The current position is that all immigration is bad for the economy (“stealing people’s jobs” and all that propaganda).
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The Blow to the Economy
From the falling value of the pound to the increase of the cost of living, Brexit has taken money away from British pockets. Expensive imports, particularly food, will be the price everyone will have to pay.
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Non-British European Experts Excluded from Advising the Government
Being an expert is an impediment in Brexit Britain, especially if you’re not British (article). I’m speechless. But it gets worse.
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Schools Sending Letters to Families Asking If Their Children Are British
Schools have been sending letters asking for the full details of children’s nationality and country of birth. Parents have reacted with shock and concern the data gathered will be shared with the Home Office to curb immigration – but the announcement of the change in policy was announced earlier in 2016.
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Having an Unelected Prime Minister
APRIL 2017 UPDATE: Theresa May called a snap election on 8th June 2017 in the hope to increase the Tory majority in Parliament and get a mandate as Prime Minister.
Beware of career civil servants: once they get a taste of power they don’t want to let it go. It seems that making mum and dad proud is higher on Theresa May’s agenda than the state of the UK economy.
We still need to know more those secret talks between Theresa May and Rupert Murdoch. Murdoch owns Sky TV, The Times and the Sun newspapers; he famously is anti-EU (and May supported the Remain campaign before her promotion to Prime Minister).
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Politicians Not Taking Responsibility
We don’t need a reminder of the ministerial resignations after the referendum to understand that UK politics is currently, intrinsically, on life support.
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Delusions of Grandeur and Imperialism
Breaking news: no, Brexit will not bring the British Empire back. The most likely scenario is that Great Britain will become a footnote in history books.