Brexit Essay: 1st Place

A few weeks ago, we announced an essay competition – The Vice President, Education's Award. The task was to submit a short eassy (1,500 words), on a topic. We chose Brexit. Not an easy task to complete in such a small allotment of words. 

Today we present our winning essays. In first place, Milo Barnett. To see our other winners, check out the second and third place submissions. 

What Should A Post Brexit Britain Look Like? – Milo Barnett

The effects of Britain’s future exit of the European Union have and will have a profound effect on the UK and its relationship with the wider world. This means that the Britain that I have known all my life may face fundamental change for better or worse. I will set out my vision for this Brexit Britain, this isn’t what I think will happen but what it should implement and how this will be best for Britain and its increasingly divided people.

“We should not harp on focusing on an ideological vision while ignoring ordinary people.”

The most important thing we need in a Brexit Britain is to secure the British people their social and economic rights.  The charter of fundamental rights of the European Rights is something we need to take the essence of and keep into some form of British charter of rights, a Magna Carta for the 21^st Century. This would provide protection for all British citizens and those living with the United Kingdom. We are still signed up to the European Convention of Human Rights and since the 1990’s has been incorporated into the UK statue book and this should remain.[1] We need to secure people’s rights whether that’s at home or at work whether that’s fighting against discrimination or fair and just working conditions. Brexit should not harm people and their quality of lives. We should not harp on focusing on an ideological vision while ignoring ordinary people.

The most controversial aspect of the EU to many people was freedom of movement, indeed immigration was the factor that many been felt motivated people to support Brexit.[2] Therefore, a Brexit Britain will have to have some sort of answer to it. There is there is no solution that will work for all as both sides are highly polarized.  I feel therefore we need a coherent system that works for both parties and can bridge economic need and people concerns about local services being strained. Therefore, I would create a reformed free movement. EU citizens could visit any part of the UK for up to 6 weeks and vice-versa. This would be for visiting and not economic reasons. For economic migrants, certain areas (based on local and national government agreement) of the country could live and work where migrants and needed and desired, such as London.[3] This would protect various sectors such as banking. These areas would get funding to deal with this for extra housing or schools, areas such as Lincolnshire (which had the highest Brexit vote) have dealt with noticeably changes in population in the last decade.[4] This system would get controls on immigrations as demanded by many leave campaigners and voters and it would keep the opportunities for free movement to remain although in a much more limited form. Britain must show its open to the world but also that it understands the consequences of the leave vote.

“Even in 2016 there is £1,600 gap between London and the North.”

By leaving the European Union we are to leave the customs union and the free trade we have had with the continent for decades. This is worrying from an economic standpoint, especially for export heavy business’ therefore a primary task Brexit Britain has is to secure opportunities for British trade. Although we wouldn’t have the collective power of 28 member states with 500 million citizens but as the 5^th largest national economy the UK has some manoeuvre to make its own trade deals.[5] These deals we can tailor to Britain’s economy which is different to many states and indeed it will in theory fit better than trade deals organised by the EU which must fit all member states. To compete in this increasingly globalised world Britain will need to reform and rejuvenate its economy even more. I feel that post-Brexit Britain needs a national plan to re-jig its economy. This means its start right from the bottom with reforming its education system (which is falling behind) and making the future citizens of the UK ready for anything whether that’s coding to speaking Mandarin.[6] This plan also needs to look at the nature of the economy, we can simply rely on services and the square mile, we need to reform and invest in all aspects of the economy, whether that’s investing in new machinery for manufacturing to providing credit to future entrepreneurs across Britain. We need an economy that works for all not the few. To get this economy in first gear we need that first-rate infrastructure that has been lacking in recent years everything from the physical such as increased investment in transport to building more houses to aspect of modernity often ignored such as having high speed internet infrastructure.[7] Currently lots of these aspects are a lottery, for example in 2011, Transport budget allocated £5 per person in the North East whereas London residents had £2,700 spent.[8] Even in 2016 there is £1,600 gap between London and the North.[9]Across the world economies are changing and we will see an increasingly automatization and the rise of the gig economy. I feel the only way to avoid this would be the implantation of a Universal Basic Income, these provide all citizens a stable income and so they can carter for their needs, this is a radical idea but radical ideas are needed to avoid a situation of have’s and have nots and the current welfare state is not ready for the 21^st century. If we want an economy that works across the UK, all regions need investment to create an equal society, not just an ivory tower in the capital.

“people feel Westminster isn’t listening to them”

I feel we must also return to the issue of devolution. Devolution has come in many forms but increasingly as people become increasingly global but also insular there is increasing demand for local areas to more autonomy.[10] I feel that success of Scottish and Welsh parliaments has added to this. Although the Cameron ministry talked of local mayors these seems a half-cocked measure as these mayor’s lack much of power of the regional legislators. To create a true powerhouse whether Northern, Midlands or Cornish we must create some form of assemblies to give me powers to deal with their regions. They take the success from London, Edinburgh and Cardiff and create a federal Britain which will help deal with much of problem that people feel Westminster isn’t listening to them while these future politicians can deal with pressuring concern that inflict their constituents.[11]

A lot has been made of cities in Brexit Britain but we must also look at the cost to rural areas. These areas will likely suffer disproportionately due to ending of EU grants and therefore there must be ways of how government can fix these areas from going into a permeant depression and these are building on early proposals but also focusing on keeping a stable farming sector and the wider economy.[12] Yet there is potential for growth and if we are to grow as nation rural areas provide an opportunity.[13]

Another area often ignored by the mainland press is the question of Northern Ireland. Indeed it could be argued that lives not just livelihoods are in question here.[14] We need a border that is open and allows easy access between the North and the Republic. If we go for a complete hard Brexit in this regard we are threatening the good Friday agreement and possibility of a return to the troubles. We are living in an age where Ian Paisley is asking Unionist to get Irish passports, such is deep affect that Brexit is causing in Northern Irish politics.[15] Northern Ireland will face disproportionate amount of cuts to funding thanks to Brexit and to avoid an economic nightmare the Treasury much act, peace and prosperity must be preserved.

“Brexit is an unwelcome shaking to the foundations of British state”

Simply put my Brexit Britain is one that is still forward facing but can be reactive to the world around us. It’s a nation that looks after all its citizens and provides them with opportunities that they need, it should make its citizens able and willing participants able to feel they are real stakeholders. Brexit is an unwelcome shaking to the foundations of British state whether its desire for some form of change both on a political and economic level. This cry unfocused but defiant shows that many people across the UK want some form of change. Whether is change motivated by rose tinted nostalgia, economic woes or a simple desire to shake the establishment must be acknowledged. This doesn’t mean trying to kotow to bigots or corporate interest who wish to exploit it. We must offer a vision for all citizens and provide opportunities for their children and grandchildren. Ignoring the problems leads to events like Brexit if we fix the problems in society whether that is unemployment, lack of services or indeed alienation when we can create a cohesive society where people don’t feel the need to take drastic action to become acknowledged. This sceptred isle is only as strong as her people and my vision is creating a society that takes there concerns seriously while dealing with the needs that 21^st Century Britain will face.