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Because Britain had access to all the good things about the EU (common market, EU agencies located in the UK, free movement) without some of the worst (common c
by addicted 10y ago
Because Britain had access to all the good things about the EU (common market, EU agencies located in the UK, free movement) without some of the worst (common currency). 44% of British exports are to the EU. A significant reason for Foreign investment in the UK is because companies have seen it as a convenient way to sell in Europe (helps that it's the only English speaking nation in the common market).
And they voluntarily gave all that away. And they've simultaneously made a lot of enemies amongst their largest trading partner and closest neighbors.
I simply don't see how this works well for the UK (or should we say England, since the possibilities of Scotland breaking away have also risen dramatically).
- Zpalmtree 10y agoFree movement is awful for the working class and great for the elites, which is the main reason for brexit happening. We want control over our borders and control over our laws.
- fuj 10y agoI don't see the working class upset about the open borders when they go for holidays in spain or portugal, or do you think only the elites go there?
- domfletcher 10y agoTell that to all the working class EU migrants we have staffing our farms, building sites etc.
- Zpalmtree 10y agoI'm talking about the British citizens, no doubt free movement is great for the EU migrants because Britain is such a great country, but the mass influx of low skilled labour brings down wages and quality of life.
- ck425 10y agoIt's really a minor factor compared to lack of investment due to austerity. This is the frustrating aspect of it, that the working class brexitors have been blaming immigration for many issues and the remain campaign have failed to make it clear that austerity is a far bigger contributor.
- alphydan 10y agoYou may have failed to notice the British "mass influx of low skilled labour" in Europe. The uneducated immigrants are not only from the PIGS countries or from Eastern Europe. It turns out some are British too! But the Brits in the UK often forget that. Easier to see the straw in the eyes of others. Should Spain and France implement a points & qualifications visa system for all those Brits in the South? After all, many are working in bars, estate agencies, construction, some even shock, shock are petty criminals [1] or lead criminal organizations [2]. What will the UK do if the EU sends back half a million Brits (that's like a new Manchester landing all of a sudden!). I'm just trying to give a different perspective, but I'm completely in favour of more freedom of movement. I'm very happy to have more diversity in my countries (I have two European nationalities, have lived in 5 EU countries and feel like a world citizen with a European background). I really hope we find a new solution of understanding and cooperation. [1] http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/espana/2016/04/28/detenidos-tres-menores-britanicos-robar-carteras-vacaciones-espana/00031461835959271423652.htm\ http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/espana/2016/04/28/deten... [2] http://www.abc.es/sociedad/abci-detenidos-seis-miembros-banda-britanica-desplazados-marbella-matar-lider-rival-201602211016_noticia.html http://www.abc.es/sociedad/abci-detenidos-seis-miembros-band... / http://www.elconfidencial.com/espana/andalucia/2016-05-15/marbella-desaparicion-camarera-atropello_1200583/ http://www.elconfidencial.com/espana/andalucia/2016-05-15/ma...
- lucaspiller 10y ago> helps that it's the only English speaking nation in the common market Ireland? Malta? Cyprus?
- boznz 10y ago.. Most Europeans speak better English than me and I am English