By Oyewale Oyelola
Ever pragmatic, President Barack Obama of the United States in an insightful remark said a successful Brexit would move Britain to the “back of the queue” when it came to trade deals with the United States. Obama’s comment, according to foreign policy analysts, indicated that tough times away UK citizens due to their decision to leave the European Union.
Without doubt, BREXIT will affect activities of other international organizations including United Nations and African Union.
Surprisingly, 17.4 million Britons out of over 61 million Britons voted in support of Britain Exit European Union (BREXIT) in June 23, 2016 Referendum while 16.1 million voted to support United Kingdom’s continued membership of the EU.
UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, who resigned as result of the development, said he was “courageous and optimistic” while justifying the need for a referendum in 2014.
His words: “I think the overwhelming majority of the British people say they want to be in Europe but they want some changes to that relationship and they would like to be given a say.
“ It is not something that we should be frightened of. It’s something we should embrace.”
Regrettably, Cameron failed to understand that anti-EU campaigners were pained by the threat EU poses to British sovereignty, influx of immigrants and UK’s £13 billion ($19 billion) annual grant contribution to EU.
Other issues raised by BREXIT campaigners included the negative effect of Euro (EU single currency) on Pound and the burdensome regulations and corporate interests’ policy of the body that prevents radical economic reforms by United Kingdom government.
Former spokesman to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reuben Abati, aptly captured what happened in Britain when he wrote:
“Questions are being asked about regional integration and globalization. The basis for this is largely the manner in which regional groupings such as the EU disappoint the people. This is made worse by the failure of the leadership elite and sitting governments.
“ When people are not happy with their governments or their circumstances, they are ready to make any choice that looks like an alternative. Opposition and anti-establishment politicians understand this game too well.
“All they need to do is to demonize the establishment, tear the government of the day into pieces, call names and tell the people that the time has come for change. Those who claim that they best know how to save a nation, armed with populist rhetoric in an election time, and have the best support of the people, in the long run stand a better chance of winning.”
However, BREXIT campaigners vigorously developed their political arsenal of war against Pro-EU Cameron and other REMAIN campaigners. Even some players in Cameron’s Conservative party, including his deputy, joined BREXIT. Labour Party MP Jo Cox was murdered by an irate Eurosceptic for her pro-EU stance. The murder of Cox shows the desperation of anti-EU elements. Her death will be remembered as the symbol of how a straightforward, for or against, political debate turned into hate campaign and a national referendum became an act of terror.
The passionate appeal of the UK Prime Minister, however, did not change the mind of 52 percent of Britons that participated in the referendum to vote against Britain-EU membership.
Although, the United Kingdom despite the referendum still needed to inform the body in-line with Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union, the article clearly stated the procedures for a member state to withdraw from the EU.
It requires the member state to notify the EU of its withdrawal and obliges the EU to then try to negotiate a withdrawal agreement with that state.
Furthermore, UK will have a two-year window in which to negotiate a new treaty to replace the terms of EU membership. Britain and EU leaders would have to hash out issues like trade tariffs, migration, and the regulation of everything from cars to agriculture. In the best-case scenario, Britain may be able to negotiate access to the European market that isn’t that different from what it has now.
Norway is not a member of the EU, but it has agreed to abide by a number of EU rules in exchange for favorable access to the European Common Market.
No doubt, the exit of UK from European Union (EU) established in 1993 for politico-economic union of 28 member states in Europe will definitely affect the organization because Germany, France, Italy, UK, and Spain contribute nearly half of the budget.
This will lead to a less stable Europe, affect free movement of other Europeans to UK as they will need to apply for a visa while free trade will suffer following policies which negate a One-Europe policy.
