These days, at almost every event I attend, there is some reference to Brexit
On 23 June 2016, there will be a referendum in the UK to determine whether the nation should remain a member of the European Union or whether we should leave (so-called Brexit). This is a huge issue for the future of the country and understandably it comes up at almost every meeting I attend. Yesterday was a classic …
In the morning, I attended a Westminster Media Forum seminar on European developments. The main topic of discussion was the European Commission’s review of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD). It was repeatedly pointed out that the UK cultural sector has benefited enormously from this Directive since, of the 1100 television channels approved by UK regulator Ofcom, some 650 are providing programming to other EU countries.
In the afternoon, I attended a Board meeting of the Tinder Foundation, a charity that promotes digital inclusion throughout the UK. As at every Board meeting, we considered an up-date of the risk register. One member suggested that it should now include a reference to Brexit even though very little of our funding currently comes from the EU.
In the evening, I attended a debate on the EU referendum organised by the “Guardian” newspaper. There was such a demand for tickets that the venue had to be switched to the London Palladium theatre where more than 2,000 turned up. Three of the four speakers had to vote in the House of Commons, so the start time was delayed and two comedians attempted to amuse us but found that British politics is not that funny at the moment.
The event was very boisterous with the speakers constant interrupting each other and substantial heckling from sections of the audience. At times, the “Guardian”‘s incoming political editor Anushka Asthana struggled to keep control but it was never boring..
I was not an unbiased observer of this debate, since I am a supporter of British membership of the EU and I thought that the speakers in favour of a ‘Yes’ vote in the referendum had by far the most compelling arguments.
UKIP Euro MP Nigel Farage was simplistic, strident and personal (especially against Clegg) in his case for withdrawal. He insisted : “We’re better than being a star on somebody else’s flag.” and suggested that a ‘Yes’ vote would mean union with Turkey. He argued that “The project has outlived its purpose” and that “The rebellion against Europe is coming from the young” [in other EU countries anyway]. Perhaps most controversially, he opined that Europe had provoked Russia to take over Crimea.
Conservative Minister Andrea Leadsom (a replacement for Nigel Lawson) put a more measured case for leaving the EU and she was the most temperate of the speakers. She argued that “The EU is heading towards political union” and claimed that “The remain side is all about Project Fear and the leave side is all about Project Hope.”
Labour MP Alan Johnso was a fluent advocate for the ‘Yes” vote. He insisted that, in the case of of Brexit, “We would spend time and treasure” negotiating what we already have on trade deals and constantly reaffirmed the strength of the UK in an economic block of 500 million. . He acknowledged that so far a lot of the public debate has been “blue on blue” but insisted that the Labour leadership was firmly in favour of EU membership.
Former Lib Dem leader and Deputy PM Nick Clegg was a revelation. He was the most passionate and persuasive speaker and attracted the most applause. Like Johnson (Alan, not Boris), he majored on trade and pointed out that 50% of our exports go to the EU but only 10% of EU exports go to the UK – which led Farage to call him a liar. Farage suggested that Clegg’s performance was an audition to become a European Commissioner which I, for one, think would be an excellent appointment.
March 20th, 2016 at 2:19 pm
I am a keen supporter of Nick Clegg and a former PPC for the Social Democrats, however, the statement “50% of our exports go to the EU but only 10% of EU exports go to the UK – ” is highly misleading.
It probably is true but tells you NOTHING of use, in the same way as stating 50% of my cake is given to Mary and 10% of Mary’s cake is given to me.
The useful info needs to state how big each cake is.
The 50% UK export cake (with a population of 65 million) SOUNDS bigger than 10% of the EU cake (population over 500 million) but what is it in terms of actual £ value????
I am sure it is bigger
March 20th, 2016 at 7:23 pm
To put Clegg’s comment in context, Albert, I think he was arguing that, in the event of Brexit, the UK would find it tough to make a favourable trade deal with the EU because they would depend less on us than we would on them because of the respective percentages of exports.
April 7th, 2016 at 4:19 pm
I don’t think that Brexit can ever materialise even if there is a vote to leave in the forthcoming referendum. Such an outcome will surely precipitate a demand for a second Scottish independence referendum which will be very hard to resist and almost certainly result in a majority this time for the nationalists. Scotland will then seek to remain within the EU. Wales might well follow in time. Britain will no longer exist as a nation state
I fear also for the situation in Ireland since a vote involving the North to leave, with the Republic remaining within the EU, will greatly re-ignite cross border tensions.
April 7th, 2016 at 4:23 pm
All good points, Roger – and illustrating just how dangerous a ‘No’ vote would be.