Brexit: An Open Letter from Time Out London (28.06.2016)

Time Out London 28.06.2016

Anti Brexit protest in London (Youtube-Clip)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqwmeum__1M

“Anti-Brexit protesters stood outside Parliament to demonstrate against the government, chanting “there’s no plan” and holding up signs about Boris Johnson” (AP News, 2016).

Zambia: Ex-Parte Order from ZRA towards The Post (2016/TAT/03/VAT/DT) – 27.06.2016

Zambia the Post Ex Parte June 2016 P1Zambia the Post Ex Parte June 2016 P2

Extraordinary Plenary Session in the European Parliament on Brexit; the anxious future is to touch after the MEP discussed the outcome in the Chamber!

EuroPyro X

Gianni Pittella said: “This is no time for polemics. This is a historic event, we need clarity. Do we get clarity from the Brexit side? Difficult to see why all of a sudden there’s no clarity.” (European Parliament, 2016).

There are many of these days when one Member State have taken the vote to leave the Almighty European Union and their Organizations. This is rare occasion that shows the ramifications on the European continent. The leadership of Europe and Britain will be tested and go through fire, what we as Europeans can hope for is humility from the different partners and regulators. The Nobility of President of the European Parliament Jean-Claude Juncker shows of a man who has been punched in the stomach and tries to sustain the honor of fellow kin; while the others in Parliament we’re either ignorant, pan-Eurocentric or just wanting to speak of honoring the vote of confidence of other Eurosceptic. This is the start of the solution.

As the MEP spoke, this is how the Plenary Meeting we’re presented:

“The European Parliament held an extraordinary plenary session in Brussels on Tuesday 28 June for MEPs to discuss and vote on a resolution assessing the outcome of the UK referendum and its consequences for the European Union. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Council representatives also took part” (European Parliament, 2016).

The Northern Ireland MEP Martina Anderson said:

“There was a democratic vote, we voted to remain [in Northern Ireland]. I tell you, the last thing that the people of Ireland needs is an EU border with 27 member states, stuck right in the middle of it” (…)”The EU has supported our peace process,” she said. “I ask you to continue to do that” (…) “MEPS like Diane Dodds and Marine Le Pen would say that we in the North of Ireland are bound by a UK vote. We say we are not. Like the previous MEP Mr Smith, we ask you to respect our vote. We stand by the vote of the people from the North of Ireland, just like Scotland which voted remain. We accept, we respect and we will defend the wishes of the people of the North of Ireland.” (European Parliament, 2016).

The Scottish MEP Alyn Smith said:

“While I am proudly Scottish, I am also proudly European. Please remember Scotland did not let you down and I beg you colleagues, do not let Scotland down now.” (European Parliament, 2016).

Nigel Farage 28.06.2016

The English MEP Nigel Farage Said:

“The United Kingdom will not be the last member State to leave the European Union.

“It is up to the British Government to invoke article 50. And I have to say that I do not think that we should spend too long in doing it” (…) “What I’d just be pragmatic, sensible, grown-up, realistic, and let’s get between us a sensible tariff-free deal and thereafter recognise that the United Kingdom will be your friend, that we will trade with you, we will cooperate with you, we will be your best friends in the world. But do that sensibly and allow us to go off and pursue our global ambitions and future” (…) “The only upheaval is political upheaval where we see the Prime Minister resigned and indeed the British Commissioner Lord Hill resigned. They both have done so for the right reasons. You never know, we might be getting rid of the Labour Party Leader as well. But upheavals in politics can actually be a very healthy and very good thing” (European Parliament, 2016).

The Answer from President Jean-Claude Juncker:

““You can’t leave a nation up to its nationalists. You have to respect the nations, but you don’t need to respect the nationalists, they are not patriots, they are anti-Europeans. They are not patriots at all.” (…) “The UK didn’t vote on austerity policies, they didn’t vote on the protection of external borders. The UK is not a member of the euro zone, so the euro policies does not apply to the UK. The UK is not a part of the Schengen area so the United Kingdom is a master of its own borders.” (European Parliament, 2016).

First rebuttal from Nigel Farage:

“”Isn’t it funny? When I came here 17 years ago and I said that I wanted to lead a campaign to get Britain to leave the European Union, you all laughed at me. Well, I have to say you are not laughing now, are you?” (…) “And the reason you are so upset, the reason you are so angry has been perfectly clear from all the angry exchanges this morning: you, as a political project, are in denial. You are in denial that your currency is failing, you are in denial… well, just look at the Mediterranean.” (European Parliament, 2016).

Jean Claude Parliament 28.06.2016

First Rebuttal from Jean-Claude Juncker:

“I am sad after the vote in the UK. I really would have liked that the UK would have decided to stay with us but they decided differently” (…) “I’m sad because I’m not a robot, a bureaucrat or a technocrat. I’m a human being and I regret the results of the referendum” (…) “I would like the UK to clarify its position. We cannot allow ourselves a prolong time of uncertainty period. There won’t be secret negotiations. No notification, no negotiation” (…) “We need to reassure Europeans. Our flight continues, our journey continues” (European Parliament, 2016).

The European Parliament President Martin Schulz:

“The will of the majority of citizens of the United Kingdom must be done. It has to be respected and that is why we will be looking today intensively at the issue of Article 50 and its triggering.” (European Parliament, 2016).

If these words don’t prove something, then nothing does. We can see the liability of the vote and now the fragile situation that is created between the United Kingdom and the European Union. Certainly the situation does not become better with the consideration and rhetoric used by either UKIP Nigel Farage or European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. The words between UKIP leader and European Commission President we’re not worthy of Parliament, reasons why I didn’t address the Le Pen or other ‘Nationalist’ who wants to coin in on the current affairs instead of creating progress. I am not a man who supports the EU, but still see the value of integrity and transparency between the counter-parts of Europe and collaboration of the Union.

1916 UK Cartoon

With that in mind, the Northern Ireland and Scottish MEPs represented their constituency with honor and also respecting the vote, still wishing to be taken serious as people and voters who wanted to ‘Remain’, they proved the hard task of Nobility towards the Brexit Referendum in the whole United Kingdom and their own constituency, a reason alone why the other MEPs respected their words and character. While after this, Nigel Farage continued his flabbergasting words and acting as brute, instead of happy victor with some clarity. Farage was like a kid who finally gotten his candy he had nagged for the whole car-trip. Instead of being a Politician with humility and trying to commend the Union, as he forgets or trips on the escape button; like Farage doesn’t know that the levels for leaving the Union the rubberstamp by the fellow MEPs who are responsible to accept the agreement between UK and EU in the near future.

While Jean-Claude Juncker is a disappointment, he can be right about how he perceive the Union, but the doubt of the centralized organization of Brussels that many Europeans have a problem with, and doesn’t need to be nationalist or right-wing separatist, more about the question on being Sovereign, which is major question towards the EU. But, his attitude and quarrel with Farage, doesn’t make him look bigger, instead like a little kid losing his favorite toy. That is not the look the ‘aftermath’ of the UK referendum needs.

Gianni Pitalli 28.06.2016

What the Italian MEP Gianni Pittella said was spot on, as the Italian sees the big picture and the accurate vivid the uncertainty and needed for clarifications on the United Kingdom and the EU leaving as the Member State of the Union. The Italian are representing something refreshing and other in the debate, as the Scottish and Northern Ireland MEPs are respectable, but also wishing to be considering as special candidates for Membership in the future it seems. This is as the England and Wales population; we’re the majority voted on the whole of referendum. While the other we’re either biased for the Nationalistic or Eurocentric that the ideas of addressing it with equal sense and clarity, instead of being there to act upon the decision made by the British public with care and honor. Certainly some like EU Commission President Juncker acted wrong… he acted with the sense and talked with caution instead of childish towards Farage, there would be a better taste in my mouth as an outsider.

Lamberts Greens 28.06.2016

But let me not forget what MEP Greens Belgium Phillippe Lamberts: “No wall will be high enough and thick enough to isolate Europe from the challenges of the 21st century” (…) “Today you can only have sovereignty if you share that sovereignty” (European Parliament, 2016).

We can question the future and how this will end, if the EU negotiations towards the UK will be in the fashion of the Commission President, then the Farage should take care of his words, while the bureaucracies on both sides have to be solid and clear on their programs, as the monetary policies and the exclusions from the current programs from the EU will hit the UK with unknown consequence, as the EEA or other possible tangible ways in the Single-Market of Europe still will be on the line. The matter of the tone and progression as respectable men should be in the end the level of concern between the negotiators.

What is worrying that the level of attitude from men likes Nigel Farage, not that I am shocked as he does have the con-man, the fraudster and the snake-oil salesman smile and attitude that cannot be taken away from him. The United Kingdom must hope they send some talented and wise consular towards the European Union when they are pushing the Article 50 and triggering the 2 Year time-table to become a Non Member State. This is a reform and reformation takes time and UK need to take their time. While EU has to prove their Community and their Peace Project worthy and Juncker was not that today, I am disgusted by him and also by Farage, but Farage was more to expect then Juncker. Peace.

Reference:

European Parliament – ‘UK referendum: European Parliament debate on outcome and consequences’ (28.06.2016 – 10:00 CET) link: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20160627STO33965/UK-referendum-MEPs-debate-outcome-and-consequences

Belgium: PM Michel calls for stability and clarity following Brexit (Youtube-Clip)

“Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel and President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker were among the European leaders who arrived in Brussels on Tuesday to discuss how the EU deals with the implications of the UK’s referendum result” (Ruptly TV, 2016).

How Hate Crime Has Escalated Since Brexit (Youtube-Clip)

“Reports of hate crime have risen by 57% since the results of the vote for the UK to leave the European Union were cast on 23 June” (Sky News, 2016)

Letter from MP Pat Glass to Jeremy Corbyn on Brexit result (28.06.2016)

Pat Glass MP Letter 28.06.2016

Letter from MP Chris Evans to Jeremy Corbyn on Brexit result (28.06.2016)

Chris Evans June Letter P1

Chris Evans June Letter P2

Micheál Martin TD: Statement on Brexit (Youtube-Clip)

Brexit: Time to reshape and quit the mourning

EU UK Flags

There are these days when the ripple effect of one single vote, of one single event and change that makes such a big difference, not only locally but also internationally. There are these days that have come and gone. One of those days we’re the majority of the United Kingdom citizens vote to ‘Leave’ the EU on the 23rd June 2016. It could been anticipated as the fear of immigrations, the years of fear-mongering and hatred for the control of legal and regulatory affairs happening in chambers of Commission and Bureaucracies in Brussels. While the Conservative Party and Liberal-Democratic Party, together with the Opposition party Labour was all for the ‘Remain’, the government went on all cylinders with arrogance expecting that the numbers and the humanity, solidarity and the European idea would be already installed in the British population.

The reactions on the remain side have been blasting as well, as the Shadow Cabinet of Jeremy Corbyn and his Labour Party, have either been sacked by Corbyn or they have resigned. Right before that, the Prime Minister David Cameron has resigned as Executive and also as the Party Leader of the Conservative Party.  Also the Scottish have reacted as they in the late Independence Vote, voted to remain in the UK as they knew they would have a secure in the European Union. So that the Scottish National Party (SNP) Nicola Sturgeon. She have reassured the Scottish public that because of this they will see into a new Independence Vote for Scotland, as they want to be directly part of the EU and be a Member State.

While the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage have had his best days in his life, he has the smug face when he was saying the day after that the numbers of people voted to get control and the money back from the EU; while he now moments after regress those statements as he knows that the millions of quid’s will not be reversed directly back to access the austerity.

NHS EU Brexit
Nigel Farage of UKIP have forgotten this one…

He said it in this brutal way:

“No, I can’t and I would never have made that claim – it was one of the mistakes that the Leave campaign made” (…)”It wasn’t one of my adverts. I think they made a mistake. They made a mistake in doing that” (…) “We have a £10 billion a year, £34 million day featherbed – that is going to be free money we can spend on the NHS, or schools, or whatever it is.” (Dunne, John & Micklethwaithe, 24.06.2016). So the buses with ‘£350 million a week back to the NHS if they left the EU’… so quickly the words of right-wing politicians change their tune. It’s like their promises and words vanish into thin air.

EU British University Funding

While Boris Johnson the other leader who wants to coup d’état the Conservative Party and become the coming PM, he trying to change his rhetoric and sound more sane and act as a politician and not a megaphone for the fears of immigrations and job-losses for British citizens as he have proclaimed for months.

Therefore Boris Johnson all of sudden wrote this: “It is said that those who voted Leave were mainly driven by anxieties about immigration. I do not believe that is so. After meeting thousands of people in the course of the campaign, I can tell you that the number one issue was control – a sense that British democracy was being undermined by the EU system, and that we should restore to the people that vital power: to kick out their rulers at elections, and to choose new ones” (…) “We should be incredibly proud and positive about the UK, and what it can now achieve. And we will achieve those things together, with all four nations united. We had one Scotland referendum in 2014, and I do not detect any real appetite to have another one soon; and it goes without saying that we are much better together in forging a new and better relationship with the EU – based on free trade and partnership, rather than a federal system” (…) “There is every cause for optimism; a Britain rebooted, reset, renewed and able to engage with the whole world. This was a seismic campaign whose lessons must be learnt by politicians at home and abroad” (Johnson, Boris, 26.06.2016 – ‘I cannot stress too much that Britain is part of Europe – and always will be’ – Daily Telegraph).

So while Boris Johnson thinks he can be giant brute of English man and toy around with the Scots as they have done for 300 years, the reality of the Scottish wish to remain comes to surface as the Scottish voted over 60 % to remain and their leader have also spoken her peace to the world, which does counter Johnson and her words.

SNP Sturgeon

This is the words from the First Minster Nicola Sturgeon: “Looking at it from a logical perspective, I find it hard to believe that there wouldn’t be that requirement” (…) “I suspect that the UK government will take a very different view on that and we’ll have to see where that discussion ends up” (…) “If the Scottish Parliament was judging this on the basis of what’s right for Scotland then the option of saying look we’re not to vote for something that’s against Scotland’s interest, of course that’s got to be on the table” (…) “Ultimately it is parliament’s decision whether we repeal the 1972 European Communities Act or whether we don’t” (…) “Well I don’t know if that will be possible but what I am determined to do is to explore all possible options to give effect to how people in Scotland voted and to protect Scotland’s interests, to avoid us being taken out of the European Union against our will with all of the deeply damaging and painful consequences that that will entail” (…) “I am not starting from the premise of saying it has got to be independence, I am starting from the premise of what do we need to do to protect Scotland’s interests but if it does appear to be obvious that the only way we can protect Scotland’s interests is by looking again at independence then that’s an option that Scotland has to have” (Gardham, Magnus, 26.06.2016 – ‘Nicola Sturgeon: Holyrood could block Brexit’ – Herald Scotland).

So already now can see the stalemate between Holyrood and the Whitehall of London, as Boris Johnson is not in sync with the feeling across the border where the Scottish is unsure of their place little more isolated from the European Union. Though Nigel Farage haven’t commented directly because he just wanted the islands independent, but not knowing to what extent; while the ‘Leave’ campaign doesn’t seem to clearly know the terms and the negotiations, as they have not even cleared the message of the axing the Union.

Old Game Brexit Meme

So here is some brief words on the Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty of 2007 and got ratified in 2009. Says this:

A Member State which decides to withdraw shall notify the European Council of its intention. In the light of the guidelines provided by the European Council, the Union shall negotiate and conclude an agreement with that State, setting out the arrangements for its withdrawal, taking account of the framework for its future relationship with the Union. That agreement shall be negotiated in accordance with Article 218(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. It shall be concluded on behalf of the Union by the Council, acting by a qualified majority, after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament” (…) “he Treaties shall cease to apply to the State in question from the date of entry into force of the withdrawal agreement or, failing that, two years after the notification referred to in paragraph 2, unless the European Council, in agreement with the Member State concerned, unanimously decides to extend this period” (Lisbon-Treaty.org).

Without with that in mind, with the crisis in the Labour Party and the Opposition that haven’t been in while, also the Conservative Party where the ‘Brexit regime’ or Brexit Government would be put in place. As they will recharge for a new government who will work on the Brexit and clear the negotiations with the EU, while Jean-Claude Juncker wanted it happen swiftly and also other wanted to make sure it happens quickly, while certain pundits think that the EU Commission and EU Parliament would give them the Greece Treatment where the punishment and economic transgression could be harsh for the British Islands and United Kingdom, as the EU want to set an example, to make sure the other countries does not leave Union.

EU Economicst Greece

With that in mind the Londoners have also reacted to, as the financial center of United Kingdom and the capital, who overwhelmingly voted to remain, are strictly economically connected with EU and Brussels, as they have the same feeling as the Scottish and even Northern Island, that are trading and exporting to the EU. Just as the Stock Exchange also still reeling: “The FTSE 100 index UKX, -1.24%  dropped 0.6% to 6,105.76, building on 3.2% slide from Friday.” (Sjolin, Sara, 27.06.2016 ‘FTSE 100 slides as Brexit continues to spook traders’ – Market Watch).

Certainly the numbers are going up and down, over time they will be clearly when there is leadership certainty on the islands, when the Government, the Shadow Cabinet and the Scottish and Northern Ireland have made their mind up. This together with the possibility of two year long negotiations with the Union to clear the regulations, the status of affairs and the trade-agreement with the European Continent.

While the EU programs in Wales are in jeopardy after the Brexit vote, the nation in the UK who together with England voted majority for the ‘Leave. They have put themselves into a pickle, even if the MPs from Wales haven’t gone out as the Scottish or Northern Ireland to reassess the situation. The EU Programs in question is the Erasmus Program, Horizon 2020, CAP to Farmers and Structural Funds under 2014-2020, all of these programs are giving substantial funds to Welsh public and Welsh government institutions. This is only in Wales; we can be assured that there are programs supported through the EU in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland as well. That no coffers in the British Virgin Island (BVI) can save in a heartbeat.

xenophobia Brexit

That both campaigns seemed to be wrong in the attitude, xenophobia or the scaremongering of defaulting economic prospects as they would leave the Union. That is now proof that there are many questions and many things to clear, as the table are now turning, the cards are played and the people have to react to the result of the vote. Brexit have created a leadership questioning both in government and opposition, as the Labour Party are in shambles as the negative result is used to topple Jeremy Corbyn, while the Conservative Party trying to find their way as the result hit the face of Cameron with an iron fist. The reality is that the mourning of the ‘Remain’ side, just have to stop and the ‘Leave’ side have to be humble, as they have address the new reality and fix the stalemate between the EU and United Kingdom.

Because this will be a saga continuing for two years or longer depending on when they hit the button and start the transition, actually apply for the Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. Those who thinks this is just nationalism and xenophobia, this is so much more as the ones who have waited for the crippling EU to run, will see their status unsecured. While the ability to agree on the free-trade and the common-market opportunity and still being on the outside of the Union.

Boris Johnson Feb 2016

The UK, will be turmoil as the strength of the leadership and the fallouts will come forward, the plans to topple the leadership positions and also reaffirming old squabbles just with fresh blood as the Scottish, Northern-Ireland and London even questioning their place as an outsider to Brussels, while the England and Wales voted gladly for the Union. The Remain voters have to live side by side the ones who votes for Leave. The question is how the psychology of the economic market and the acts of European Union Commission. If they will make an example of them or be gentlemen from Central Europe, as Jean-Claude Juncker have not acted gentleman or talked in a fashion of aggression, as he was himself slapped in the face; the Brexit is a bullet to the European Union that he leads, the Luxembourgian who’s pride have to fall and give way to the will of the British people. If the European Union is a peace project and not just a powerful bureaucracy than they have to be gentle and act accordingly, but if they want to fragment Europe more and play hardball with UK Gov. than they certainly will give more way to the Right-Wing nationalistic forces in Europe, instead of finding ways to bring unity of the continent. European Union with this in mind with the current rising of the nationalistic movements and xenophobic fear for the immigrants and the current economic austerity that are hitting the continent and can be either a gift or curse.

So with all of this in mind, the European Union, the Government of United Kingdom and the British MPs and British bureaucracy have to take steps in negotiations and agreements with the EU, while becoming an outsider to the Brussels, the EU should show character if they are really an organization for European peace and unity, not just their own agenda to control the Continent or be a statutory organization that the people might respect. There are reasons others then border-control, immigrations and economy for why the English and Welsh in majority voted to ‘Leave’, for the simple reason of getting the decisions made from Whitehall instead of Brussels. That is something the EU have to think about because the same feeling might be in Madrid, Lisbon, Rome or anywhere else where the nationalistic and right-wing politicians will use the poor display of EU towards the Brexit, will fuel the fire for yet another separation. Peace.