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The Brexit Betrayal

How the various countries of the UK are being betrayed on differentiating aspects of Brexit; with alternative as to how these could be sought to a resolution.

By M.K GirvanPublished 5 years ago 7 min read
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Scotland:

Scotland's position on the Brexit issue is not entirely unique within the British Isles. Neighbouring Ireland faces similar issues, but with other aspects more unique to the "Emerald Isle."

In 2016, over 60 percent of those who voted in the country of Scotland, voted overwhelmingly, to remain as part of the EU and to retain their EU citizenships; their right to freedom of movement and opportunities in one of the world's largest trading groups and most stable economies.

The position by the British government is to ignore how this country voted entirely. Only accepting how all of the countries that make up, the British Isles, together accumulate vote wise. With the differing political ideologies across England, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland, this is a very boisterous, arrogant, and divisive decision on the part of the Government.

Leaving Scotland genuinely and potentially behind, dragged out of the European Union against its expressed democratic will. Yet again expressed, in 2019 during the EU elections—of Scotland's mere 6 MEP's, the SNP (Scottish National Party) and are the only party, along side the Scottish Greens, championing to remain as part of the EU block, gained 3/6 seats, which is over half of the votes: for common sense reasons the SNP want to remain... such as child-level simplistic and basic economics, such as—keeping food prices low for its citizens, currency stability, and in general, very competent and solid reasons for any rational government to take into consideration.

Currently, it seems that the Scottish Government (yes, it is a country of its own right), could only get this part of the British Isles out of this mess by holding another Independence Referendum. This option is intriguing, because of the great change in material circumstances that have happened since 2014. That vote was lost initially, due to the promise of retaining EU membership by voting to remain part of the UK... Fast forward only two years, and you have the Brexit Referendum, which would then decisively begin to remove not only Scotland, but other UK countries as EU members. This factor alone could see a large voting group swing in favour of this motion; causing Scottish EU citizens to vote for an Independence option, in a bid to retain frictionless access with their home countries—understandably.

What COULD have been done for Scotland? I'll cover that at the end. As the solution isn't completely simple, but it already exists within other EU Countries, and their member states.

I'll also cover WHY the UK government will not entertain this option.

Ireland:

In a similar predicament to its sibling Celtic Nation, Ireland (Specifically, Northern Ireland) voted also to remain as part of the European Union. Though it is true that this vote margin was smaller, at 55.8 percent it is still a larger percentage than the 51.9 percent that has caused this Brexit turmoil.

That is where the parallels with Northern Ireland and Scotland's issues end. Northern Ireland has something that Scotland does not—a land border with another European Country. Namely, the Republic of Ireland (the southern and central parts of the island).

For those unaware of this history, here's a VERY brief recap: in 1922 there was the Irish war of Independence (you guessed it, from Britain), most of Ireland seceded the UK to become an Independent Nation State. For years there was a hard border between these countries and in-fighting, a period often known as "The Troubles," is aptly named. Calmed only very recently by Tony Blair, negotiating with terrorist/freedom fighter groups (depends which side you ask on that point), to come up with "Good Friday Agreement."

Now that you're all caught up, The Good Friday Agreement is, at its core, a peace treaty, to stop bloodshed on both sides of the Irish border and create "One Ireland," for the people to roam as they please. Keeping the British Government out of Irish Affairs and more. A key point of this treaty, is there to be no land border—hard or soft. Lest there be a want to return to bloodshed and violence, which has only in recent decades toned down.

The British Government want to ignore this treaty, and are all for a border on Ireland if need be. Ironically, it's the European Union holding up Britain's own peace treaty for Ireland. Which, for a country about to try and negotiate trading terms, does not do them any favours in appeal.

Northern Ireland doesn't want to remain separated economically, from the UK market. Though for peace-keeping reasons must remain in the European Union.

Logically, it then makes profound sense to keep Ireland within both the EU and UK.

Wales:

Unlike its fellow nations with Celtic roots, Ireland and Scotland, Wales voted alongside England to Leave the European Union. Only 5 out of 17 Council Areas voted for remaining. Resulting in a 52.5 percent vote for Brexit.

It is fair that Wales voted and wanted to leave, by no account was it an overwhelming majority that voted for leave. Meaning, the drive towards a harsh Brexit takes in no account of how, almost-evenly split, the Welsh vote really was. Just under half of voters wanted to remain.

Wales also gains the largest agricultural and rural benefit, financially, from the European Union. With grants not only to help their farmers, but improve their old, ruinous roads, and help improve isolated communities, connecting them easier.

Meaning this Hard-Brexit, this "No Deal Brexit," is a mantra that has very little meaning for Wales overall. Perhaps to some individuals, but not the general public. The politically polarising sides not only split people in their ideologies, but is an issue that can, and is splitting people and communities—not only in Wales either, but the UK overall. Having such decisive, opposite stances with such narrow margins will always split the people... and could result in splitting countries, if politicians are not careful.

England

England speaks loudly for itself, with a 53.4 percent vote for Brexit. Pooled together, the average of these results is the deciding 51.9 percent that triggers the Brexit that only two out of the four countries voted for. Makes sense, right?

Don't worry. You're not alone. Many within the UK feel the same at this.

The red lines the UK Government has decided to peruse, which were never agreed upon or voted for within parliament, (perhaps their first blunder) mean all of the UK comes out, or all of it stays.

It is by removing that particular element that there is a very viable solution that would deliver the hard Brexit England wants, joined with Wales. While Ireland and Scotland would get to retain membership!

The Solution:

What is this magical solution that I propose?

Well, countries outweigh the European Union (third Party Countries) cannot cherry pick their terms... yes, yes, most British have heard this statement more times that they care to have. It is true.

However, parts of existing EU member states can do this.

This could mean that Wales and England both get to leave, while Scotland and Ireland both retain their memberships! Saving the UK from a potentially catastrophic disaster, which likely results in the UKs own breakup.

Okay, sounds fantastic... but where is this already in place in the European Union? Where are other examples of this, allowed cherry picking?

Around 35 countries and territories have "special," deals with the European Union already! Meaning, it's actually quite commonly done.

You only need to look as far as the Isle of Man; for fishing and agricultural products its has free trade, yet is not bound by EU law otherwise.

Why won't the English, or British Government see to this?

For two reasons, both with equal weight in importance. Such a move would see far greater devolution to not only Scotland, but Ireland as well. Edging closer to federalisation, however, questionably to some in the UK parliament it could push closer to a United Ireland, who is no longer a member of the United Kingdom and an Independent Scottish Nation. Many would see this manoeuvre as giving them far too much autonomy. Issues such as foreign affairs and foreign policy would be required to be devolved to these countries in such a bold move. Something so sensible and such a simple solution to Brexit is utterly unacceptable and unthinkable.

The second reason that they will never consider this; the door is already open to this in terms of EU law. It is the UK's own parliament and constitution that would have to do the heavy lifting on this.

Revoking Article 50, agreeing to the long term UK continuation in the EU—while not causing any issue with the future planning within the EU... thus beginning to negotiate the future relationship both England and Wales would have with the EU. Meaning, they could indeed get their cherry picked deal. Leaving every nation in the UK to get exactly what they wanted... it just requires the tact of a capable political leader.

politics
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About the Creator

M.K Girvan

I'm a politics and anthropology student, looking to go onto a masters within international law and relations.

I'll general write about factual topics: politics, international news, travelling, languages, different cultures and countries.

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