Proponents of Brexit are Deluding the Public (Exclusive from the UK)

• 06.22.2016, 16:15
•  Europe,  World,  Interview

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"Britain would definitely be better off by voting to remain in the EU. Although there are quantifiable benefits from the EU, the major benefits are less tangible as they arise from cooperation," the director of the Centre for Research in Economic Development and International Trade of Great Britain, Oliver Morrissey said in a talk with "Armedia" IAA.

According to him the EU countries are economically stronger together than each would be alone, especially in terms of trade relations with the rest of the world. The cooperation between Universities and mobility of researchers across Europe is strengthened and supported by the EU and this promotes technical innovation.

"There are social and policy benefits also because of opportunities to benefit from a variety of perspectives and experiences. For example, relative to UK governments over the last 30 years or so, collective EU policies are more supportive of workers and appropriate regulation, and more socially and environmentally aware. There is also a political benefit in being part of a group with a number of strong countries. Outside the EU Britain would be poorer than it would otherwise be," Morrissey said.

Talking about the possibility of Brexit and its consequences,  Morrissey said that this will create years of uncertainty, and poor economic performance, most pronounced while the terms of withdrawal from the EU were negotiated.

According to him, those arguing for Brexit do not present convincing evidence-based arguments, often playing on emotions rather than facts.  "For example, associating economic problems the public are concerned with (poor work conditions, high house prices, pressure on schools and hospitals) with immigration (another concern but not the cause of these problems) and blaming this on the EU is misleading. These genuine economic problems are ramifications of the Financial Crisis rather than due to the EU."

 Morrissey believes that by ignoring the true causes of the problems that concern the British public, and by leading people to believe that the EU is the cause, proponents of Brexit are deluding the public.

"If the vote is to leave, it would quickly become evident that the benefits claimed by Brexit are false promises and this would further erode public confidence in politicians and political process (a significant part of the Brexit vote is from people who are unhappy with government and politicians who have been encouraged to translate this into opposition to the EU)," Morrissey concluded.