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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