2 Years ago I was talking to my English friend. Well, he
wasn’t English but Welsh. He hasn't decided what to vote, though people in his
office decided to vote “Yes”. Majority of London voted No. And the rest of the
country voted yes.
I saw many angry reactions from young Brits, who were angry
because the vote of old people decided their future. It was them, who have to
live with the decision made by old people.
I also read about post Brexit racism targeted towards
migrants. I went through numerous reactions then. And they were as confused as
my undecided Welsh friend. Even the vote was wafer thin margin.
In India, we discussed whether policy decision like this
should be reduced to binary and then be left in the hands of the public to
decide? Thankfully we have a constitution and it does not provide for such kind
of adventure. So we are safe for now.
Britain, on the other hand, has been sliding since then.
Cameron lost his position as PM. Snap Election made Theresa May weaker than
earlier. And new Brexit deal made everyone unhappy.
I saw a video on YouTube titled “Bexit is teaching Britain itstrue place in the world”
What was fascinating wasn't the video but the comment
section.
Commonwealth champion like Nigel Farage, stated repeatedly
that world will want to make deal with Britain. That wasn't false. But what
Nigel and his friends assumed that the world will be making a favourable deal
with Britain. This was an overestimation of expectation by a gigantic
proportion.
This is what happens when people start living in the past. They
will be brought to present brutally. People voting for Brexit thought
(According to linked video) that they will bring back the glory days of the empire.
That Commonwealth will be a bigger market than Europe.
Well, like many Canadians, Australians pointed out in the
comments, UK left Commonwealth for EU in the 1970s. Rather than developing Commonwealth
and helping former colonies, UK preferred Europe, and rightly so, because the trade
happens geographically not historically. People will not trade with the UK just
because they were their colonial masters. Only if Nigel and gang had taught anything
about colonial history, they would know that colonies had enough of the atrocities
and second-class treatment from Britain hence they strive for Independence. Not
only India, but Australia, Canada, New Zealand also parted. But with the dream
of glory days, Brits jumped from the European boat only to find them alone in a
vast ocean of opportunities. The problem is they are not able to advantage of
those opportunities now.
The British economy is weaker than ever and this is just beginning.
The financial center which London boasts of itself will lose its important
thick and fast as soon as Brexit comes into being. The only reason London was
important because it was seen as a gateway to Europe. And it was in vital British
interest to maintain it that way. But Brexit will force all those companies to
move to Paris or Berlin.
Brexit is a reality now there is no turning back. What
Britain needs most now is drop the imperial mindset, be humble and accept that
at negotiating table they are not of more worth than Australia or South Africa.
Yes, British Currency is strong, Yes the British Economy is big and exports are
larger. But is not going to stay like that for long. The Sterling Pound had
never returned to its pre-Brexit Level, and there is no reason why it should
now.
It is amply clear that UK needs the world more than the world
needs the UK. Do you think any country will be offering a balanced deal on a
platter? Especially Commonwealth nations which were exploited by the empire? The
UK will be grateful if a balanced deal is offered. And it rightly should be. The
World is playing a far bigger game right now with trade war between US and China.
Everyone is feeling the heat of Trump's America First policy. All the stock
markets around the world are crashing. All the currencies are under pressure.
Do you think the world has the patience for Britain?
Britain needs to accept the reality that in the new millennium
they are and will be treated like any other country of the world. And at negotiating table
they will be treated as a Non-EU member state in 'need' of a deal. The World will
not be rushing to the UK to offer a deal, the UK needs to please the world by
offering it first.
