29 June 2016 • 6:24pm
 |
| Rule Britannia |
On June 23, people in their
millions cast votes to end our membership of the European Union and
assert this country’s right once again to chart its own course in the
world, a free nation just as we were before we joined in 1973. More
people voted to leave than have ever voted for anything or anyone in
British history; the referendum was an inspiring exercise in democracy.
Yet in recent days, that inspiration has almost been obscured by gloom, much it promoted by bitter Remain-supporting politicians and institutions. They have constructed a narrative that has left some voters wondering if they did the right thing. Fuelling the doubts are turmoil in always-volatile financial markets and hysterical rhetoric from a European Commission whose bureacrats are increasingly out of step with Europe’s elected leaders.
Yet in recent days, that inspiration has almost been obscured by gloom, much it promoted by bitter Remain-supporting politicians and institutions. They have constructed a narrative that has left some voters wondering if they did the right thing. Fuelling the doubts are turmoil in always-volatile financial markets and hysterical rhetoric from a European Commission whose bureacrats are increasingly out of step with Europe’s elected leaders.
Yet the gloom is misplaced, not
least because, very little has actually changed in a week. Britain
remains the world’s fifth biggest economy, a permanent member of the
United Nations Security Council, an open, vibrant multiracial democracy
whose wealth, culture and prospects are the envy of much of the world.
We also remain, for now, members of the EU.
Britain’s formidable strengths should be foremost in all our minds in the months ahead. Those months will see more uncertainty as the Conservatives chose a new prime minister and EU leaders seek to hurry Britain into starting exit talks unnecessarily quickly.
Britain’s formidable strengths should be foremost in all our minds in the months ahead. Those months will see more uncertainty as the Conservatives chose a new prime minister and EU leaders seek to hurry Britain into starting exit talks unnecessarily quickly.
But there is no need to panic and good reason for optimism. The demand for haste from the EU elite gives a clue about how those exit talks will go when they eventually start: the EU has a great deal at stake here, maybe even its survival. Threats to give Britain nothing may well give way to a self-preserving willingness to do a deal advantageous to both sides.
Quite what that deal looks like remains unclear, but the Conservative leadership contest now under way should provide the first clues: the crucial issue for the candidates to show leadership on is tariff-free access to the EU’s single market. Is it essential for our national prosperity, and if so, what price is worth paying for it in terms of European immigration?
Britain needs a leader who can answer that question convincingly, then deliver that answer. The negotiations required will be long and arduous, but we should never doubt that they will end in a settlement beneficial to Britain. This is a great country with a great future.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2016/06/29/britain-remains-a-great-country-with-a-great-future/
