Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron gambled believing the majority Britons would back the 'Remain' campaign in the Brexit referendum held on June 24 last across the United Kingdom. But 'Leave' campaigners won.
Many across the world were stunned by the result of the referendum that exposed the deep division among the UK citizens and politicians as well on the issue of being European. The global financial markets were in turmoil on the day as the Great Britain pound sterling went for a free-fall. At one stage, it plunged to 30-year low as the Brexit results started pouring in from across the UK, but the currency recovered somewhat in late trading.
The politicians and citizens who supported exit were euphoric after the referendum results. Naturally, the opposite camp was saddened and greatly demoralised by the outcome. But most people across the divide, it seems, were not fully aware of what could be the consequences of the choice the majority Britons made. Undeniably, the June 24 referendum was different from any other referendum, usually organised on national issues or the polling held on the occasion of general elections. Prior to the referendum, the two opposing camps were engaged in intense campaigning creating a poll-like ambiance. But it was far more a serious matter than what many had thought.
The way the EU countries and others across the globe, including the United States, and world financial markets reacted to the Brexit results must have unnerved even a section of pro-exit voters in the UK. In fact, many UK nationals could not foresee the impact of the Brexit in the politics and economy of their own country.
The two major political parties-the Conservative and the Labour, it seems, are in disarray, at least, for now. An intense fight is on in both the parties, particularly in the Labour Party, to change the leadership. The 'Leave' campaigners in the Tory party are destined to take over the leadership of the party. But in the Labour camp the in-fight has taken an ugly shape. A number of shadow cabinet ministers are blaming the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn for not doing enough in motivating voters in favour of 'Remain'.
The United Kingdom Independence Party (Ukip) is now basking in the referendum results. Its leader Nigel Farage, who had promised Britons the chance to 'retake power from Brussels and rein in high immigration', is churning out jingoistic rhetoric. He sounds more like Mr. Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for the November US presidential election. Trump has welcomed the referendum results.
Though the Brexit results have gone to the liking of the 'Leave' camp, most Britons, it seems, have now awaken to the possible rude consequences that they had failed to foresee while going to the polling booth on the referendum day. They have already got instant samples through the decline of pound sterling and turmoil in the global financial markets. But more are likely to come. It may not take too long a time for many of those, who voted for exit, to rue the folly they had committed.
More than 2.5 million people signed a petition in just two days following the referendum, urging the British parliament to consider the issue of holding a second referendum. To examine a public petition by parliament, at least 100,000 signatures were necessary. Besides, there could be hurdles also from the Scottish parliament. Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said Scottish parliament may be urged to block a legislative motion involving the Brexit.
Immigration issue stoked widespread fear among the people in the UK. The elderly people were particularly concerned. The high fees the UK has been paying to EU as a member was an issue used to whip up anti-EU sentiment. Many people found that the exit from the EU would be the best way to get rid of those problems.
But when that job has been accomplished, the young people are blaming the older generation for depriving them of the opportunities of becoming free citizens of Europe, not just of the UK. In fact, voters were split down the generational divides on the Brexit issue.
The UK has plunged into a sort of political and economic uncertainty following the Brexit results. Other countries across the globe, the EU members in particular, are also passing through a troubled and uncertain time.
The EU leaders are very much unhappy with the UK for deciding to leave the political and economic bloc that has great influence over global events. The EU foreign ministers at the end of a meeting last Saturday asked the UK to leave the forum as early as possible. But Chancellor Angela Markel of Germany, a close ally of the UK, called for calm in dealing with the issue.
The EU leaders are putting up a bold face while in the back of their mind stalks the fear of a surge of anti-Europe forces in their countries. The signs are ominous. The UK might also face disintegration because Scotland has made it clear that it would be more comfortable with the EU. Northern Ireland has also made its intention rather obvious about its reunification with the Republic of Ireland.
How could both the 'Leave' and 'Remain' sides of the Brexit campaign overlook the possible consequences of referendum results? Those who supported exit surely did not want the breakup of the UK or its economic fallout. They should have done their homework meticulously before plunging into the gamble.
Undeniably, difficult days, both political and economic, await other EU countries because of the UK's exit. However, the developments centring the Brexit do also highlight the insensitivity on the part of the EU leaders to address issues that have given rise to serious resentment among their peoples, particularly those belonging to the working class.
