I have mixed feelings about Brexit today. Clearly the European institution need reforming. The addition of so many countries in the last 20 years has created a top heavy administration. The Euro adds more complexities to the equation as the ECB policies cannot fit every country’s problem. On the other hand, a unified Europe has advantages as well – some countries have benefited from the integration.
For Britain, it’s hard to say what the final price will be. My guess is that Scotland might now vote for independence as they supported staying in Europe overwhelmingly. Northern Ireland might be tempted to leave as well so possibly RIP UK in the long run. I was talking to some French people and they were saying that now there might be no incentive for France to stop immigrants from crossing over to the UK like they do now and simply allow for travel there and let the UK deal with them. The end game is not clear to anyone at the moment.
What bothers me the most was that some of the undertone of the Leave campaign had a certain xenophobic message that leaves a bad taste. I understand the frustration of people with the European structure but that undertone is what leads to the killing of the MP we saw there. Most of the congratulation messages coming in right now in Europe come from far right parties that also have that xenophobic undertone.
BTW, Trump seemed to be happy, but I wonder how he will feel if Scotland leaves the UK and applies to the EU again. His golf courses will be in the EU again!
