Several Days Left for the UK Referendum: Pros and Cons of BREXIT

• 06.20.2016, 11:57
•  Europe,  World,  Info

Eandt.theiet.org

Just in several days, on June 23, the UK will hold a referendum on whether to leave the European Union or stay. Here one should remember that though a member of the EU, UK has never been part of either Schengen area or the euro zone.

As for the stance of the UK people, the population is divided into two almost equal parts, with 43% against Brexit and 42% - for it.  At the same time, 11% are still undecided. The survey was conducted quite recently, on the 12th of June, by the research company YouGov. Thus, much will depend on the position of those 11%, which will decide the fate of their country.

As for the British authorities, as well as EU leaders, they are against the Brexit. According to the British Prime Minister David Cameron, if the country comes out of the EU, it can wait for the worst and most difficult times not only in economics but also in politics.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in turn said that London can hardly count on the indulgence. "No one will meet deserters with open arms," ​​Juncker said.

The Guardian has published the list of the changes that will take place in case of Brexit.

Traveling to the EU. British travelers who go to continental Europe may face certain problems. It is not known whether the British authorities will be able to agree on visa-free movement.

Moving to another country to live and work. Now the British move freely within the EU. However, if the UK is out of the EU, they will have to obtain a work permit. Meanwhile, the British have two million people living in the EU. What will happen to their pensions then?

Buying property in the EU. European Union member-states may prohibit the citizens of the UK to buy property on their territory. And those, who have already bought a house or an apartment, may face the prospect of paying large taxes.

Trade with the EU. Some contracts, related to trade within the EU, could be cancelled. However, everything depends on the agreement between the UK and the EU, which will adjust the rules for access to the products of the Joint markets.

Trade with the rest of the world. Perhaps the UK will have to renegotiate the deals that it made as a member-state of the European Union. However, after Brexit, England can freely and without any pressure establish trade cooperation with China, for instance.

Holidays, dismissal, maternity leave. European legislation very strictly monitors the rights of workers. If Britain leaves the EU, employers' life will be much easier. What can be said about the lives of ordinary employees?

The environmental situation. The EU member states have strict requirements for the maintenance of the environment in order. This includes purity of the beaches, and the fight against air pollution. Citizens have the right to obtain information about the state of the environment. Will it be available to the British, if they leave the EU?

However, there are also some positive sides of the Brexit of course, which stand along with the above-mentioned.

Let’s bring the example of Canada, which has recently entered into an agreement with the EU on free trade, and which will lead to the cancellation of almost all trade restrictions, but does not provide freedom of movement for citizens on both sides, and any Canadian contribution to the EU budget.

In addition, the Brexit supporters say that in the absence of EU bureaucracy, small and medium enterprises will thrive, which will lead to employment growth.

The British government will regain full control over its borders and many migrant issues will be resolved exclusively in accordance with UK legislation.  For immigrants from countries of the European Union the same restrictions will be applied as for the citizens of other countries, which will reduce the population growth from 298 thousand a year to about 50 thousand, which, in turn, will allow the British to get jobs and have higher wages, as well as will facilitate the work of schools, hospitals and other public and social institutions.

In addition, Brexit supporters state London will save money by not paying into the EU budget. According to their calculations, the British government spends annually on transportation needs about as much as it spends on a "common pot" of the EU.

UK will also be able to conclude bilateral trade agreements with countries with rapidly growing economies, such as China, Singapore, Brazil, India and Russia.

Regarding the NATO, Brexit supporters are sure Britain will remain a key member of NATO and the UN Security Council, as well as a nuclear power.

And finally, the most important achievement of the UK in case of Brexit will concern the democratic institutions and the British legal system, about which the country boasts for already seven centuries . Brexit supporters claim that leaving the EU will only strengthen democracy, and British Parliament will be fully sovereign.

Thus, we can say for sure that the British citizens will make quite a difficult decision on June 23.