In recent years, the EU was blamed for soaring immigration. Britain was by far the most popular country in Europe for migrants of all stripes, bringing diversity but also straining public services and housing. As more Eastern European countries joined, there were many more EU migrants to Britain. It was also felt that of the masses of recent immigrants from places like Syria into Europe, many would in time make their way to Britain. The timing of the referendum, in this regard, was terrible.
While such concerns were justified, the British people have lost a lot and Brexit is not something to celebrate mindlessly. Two years from now they will no longer be able to easily work and live in the EU countries, while British businesses will have to pay a tariff of a few percentage points on goods exported to the EU. Britain has also lost a lot of its influence in Europe.
Nevertheless, the country has regained its right of self-determination. This is a time when, as Orwell said in the above essay, “Patriotism and intelligence will have to come together again.” Britain can rise to the challenges and opportunities of a clean slate. It can forge new trade deals around the world, much as it did in its heyday – only this time by deploying the business acumen and experience that have made it the sixth-largest economy in the world instead of the might of gunships.
Broadcaster:
Greg Fountain is a copy editor and occasional presenter for China Daily. Before moving to Beijing in January, 2016 he worked for newspapers in the Middle East and UK. He has an M.A in Print Journalism from the University of Sheffield, a B.A in English and History from the University of Reading.
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