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Minggu, 26 Juni 2016

Britain Leaves EU, Cameron Resigns - Scotland Wants to Split



Britain has decided to exit from the European Union (EU) in a referendum that ended in favor of the Brexit camp by a margin of 52 percent to 48 percent.

The referendum results severely rocked global financial markets, sparking a Scottish breakaway, and Prime Minister David Cameron's resignation.

Just 24 hours ahead of the voting results, the financial markets were optimistic that the referendum would be in favor of the European Union, after earlier polls showed the "pro EU" vote leading the referendum. However, the referendum results announced on Friday (24/6/2016) rocked the world since the Brexit camp won the vote by a narrow margin.

The British currency poundsterling fell about 10 percent against the US dollar, the lowest in 31 years. Throughout history, this was the biggest downfall of the British currency in one day.

European shares tumbled more than 8 percent, as billions of dollars were wiped off the European markets, with the largest losses experienced by the Royal Bank of Scotland, Barclays and Lloyds Banking Group.

At Number 10 Downing Street, Prime Minister David Cameron, who officially supported the "pro EU" camp, announced his resignation. The new leader will be chosen in early October 2016.

"The British people decided to exit the EU and their decision should be respected. I will do everything I can as Prime Minister to steady the ship over the coming weeks and months but I do not think it would be right for me to try to be the captain that steers our country to its next destination," Cameron said.

Independence Day
There was euphoria among supporters of the Brexit camp. They strolled in the city center with British flags. "We did it! We won!" said a supporter of the Brexit camp in an office complex in London.

"We can find our voice in the world again, a voice that is commensurate with the fifth-biggest economy on Earth," Boris Johnson, one of the influential leaders of the Brexit camp, said. "I believe we now have a glorious opportunity: we can pass our laws and set our taxes entirely according to the needs of the UK economy."

Chairman of the UK Independence Party (UKIP), Nigel Farage, whose party campaigned for the anti- EU position since the beginning, called Thursday, "Independence Day."
"Let's make June 23 in our history as the day of independence," he said.

As expected, member of the Dutch parliament from the far-right faction, Geert Wilders, and chairman of the French National Front, Marine Le Pen, also proposed a similar referendum to be held in their respective countries.

Split
However, Brexit may spark separation within the United Kingdom. In just a few minutes, the largest party in Northern Ireland, Sinn Fein, said the referendum results reinforced the desire in Northern Ireland for a separation from England.

Sinn Fein chairman Declan Kearney said, "These results dramatically changed the political landscape in Northern Ireland and we will propose a vote about the border."

After a sectarian conflict of more than three decades with the UK that resulted in the deaths of about 3,600 people in Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK, Northern Ireland agreed to sign a peace agreement in 1998 during the time of Prime Minister Tony Blair.

One of the conditions set for peace was the disarmament of military posts on the border of Northern Ireland and Ireland. However, after the British exit from the EU, the border control issue will be difficult to avoid.

The same response came from Scotland, which shares a history with the English for 300 years.

Scotland considered their future with the EU. In a referendum yesterday, the "pro EU" vote won 62 percent of the votes in Scotland. "Scotland has delivered a strong message to remain with the European Union. I welcome the support for the European status of the country," Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said.

This means that Scotland will apply for a second referendum on independence from Britain. In a similar referendum three years ago, the majority of the people of Scotland chose to stay with England. The main reason at the time was that Scotland wanted to remain a part of the EU.

If the separation occurs, a number of factors will be seriously considered, such as economic factors. Two-thirds of the Scottish trade would be absorbed by Britain. In addition, it would also be a security issue.

"Nicola understands, an independent Scotland and the UK out of the EU, Scotland became the outer-border of the EU. With the terrorist threat, the EU outer-border requires different rules," said Anand Menond of research institute Changing Europe.
Domino effect

The EU was devastated by the withdrawal of the UK although this possibility had been anticipated. The most worrying thing is the domino effect, the idea that other countries within EU may also propose a similar referendum.

In a joint statement after the announcement of Brexit, the EU states will still stand strong and uphold the key principles of the EU, which is to promote peace and the welfare of its citizens.

With unity, the EU will tackle the challenge of improving the welfare and maintaining the security of its citizens. The EU also hopes that the British government will follow up this decision immediately.

The EU still hopes England will be a partner in the future.

"We are determined to maintain the unity of the 27 countries," said European Council President Donald Tusk, who asked members to reflect on the future of the EU.

source Kompas, Saturday, June 25, 2016

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