The U.K. is leaving the European Union on the 29th of March this year. After three years of negotiations, is our country prepared?
Brexit has been a phenomenally polarising political decision for the citizens of the United Kingdom. With a vote almost reflecting a half-and-half divide, it is no wonder that the topic still causes arguments at dinner tables.
2019 brings us the eventual year that the U.K. will finally leave the European Union, and it’s not far away at all. On the 29th of March by midday, our country will be independent once again; something that many leave voters particularly desired.
However, to say the three year process leading up to this point has not been a rocky one would be false. Since the landmark referendum in June in 2016, several large scale marches have proven that many people are extremely displeased by the outcome and refuse to bow down. Only recently, Theresa May was put under a vote of no confidence for the deal she managed to secure. Every day, the news seems to have fresh information and debates surrounding Brexit.
Considering the vote seems to be coming to fruition so soon, is the U.K. ready? Watford Liberal Democrat Councillor, Ian Stotesbury said that even at this point “the default position on Brexit is unclear” since so many legislatures believe that a no deal Brexit would be ideal at this point. Stotesbury went on to say that the only thing that has been consistent during Brexit is that “we don’t know where we are going.”
The Liberal Democrats have always had the same stance on Brexit and believe it to be a poor choice. Stotesbury explained that his party has the view that “we can lead from the front” in the European Union and therefore, benefit from remaining. The Watford Councillor said that in the eyes of the Liberal Democrats, “internationalism is inherently good.” Liberal Democrats have the belief that May’s deal does not “deliver on the message of ‘take back control’” as we will still be subject to EU laws and regulations for “potentially years” after formally leaving. This goes against the desires of many leave voters.
Stotesbury said that the Liberal Democrat view is that the deal that May has secured is not sufficient and it “should go back to the people” now that we as a nation, are more informed about the intricacies of Brexit.
It is no secret that Liberal Democrats believe that a second referendum is best for our country. Three years of negotiating and having Brexit all around us leaves the public in a more appropriate position to decide if they want to leave or remain in the eyes of the Lib Dems.
Time will only tell what the benefits or ramifications of the Brexit referendum will be. For now, we know very little.
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