By: Patrick Olliffe, Student Voices writer
On June the 23rd the British people will be asked
in way of a Referendum weather they wish to remain a member the European Union
or Leave it. I myself have already voted by post, so for me the TV Debates and
Political speeches on the issue are meaningless, unless it’s just for
entertainment. In this article I’m going to set out why I voted to leave the
EU.
To me it was
clear before the referendum was even called that the EU had not only become too
controlling for its own good, but it had also become too bureaucratized and overcomplicated for its
own good as well. My views on this matter were reinforced when I heard Harriet
Harman on the Daily Politics say she didn’t know who the 7 presidents of the
European Union were.
Back in 1975
when the UK first joined the EU (when it was called the European Economic
Community), it made sense. It made sense that at a time when tariffs were high
and free trade was difficult to join with a collection of countries that had
tariff free access but we now live in a global economy and taffies have never
been lower. Also the EU is now much bigger than just a trading area, it now
dictates in all areas of our lives weather that’s in our courts, our farming
industry, our fishing industry or indeed striping us of our boarder controls.
One of the
biggest myths in the whole EU deal is “Free Trade” actually it’s not free trade
because we pay ten billion pounds a year in order to access the single market,
if I pay six pounds a mouth to Netflix I’m not watching films for free, I’m
paying a subscription to that company and I’m accessing their service.
Also one of the big reasons why I am voting to leave is
because of TTIP. The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership is a series
of trade negotiations being carried out mostly in secret between the EU and US.
As a bi-lateral trade agreement, TTIP is about reducing the regulatory barriers
to trade for big business, things like food safety law, environmental
legislation, banking regulations and the sovereign powers of individual
nations. It is, as John Hilary, Executive Director
of campaign group War on Want, said: “An assault on European and US
societies by transnational corporations.” To me, just another reason to leave
the EU. As the vote takes place tomorrow, we will soon see where the destiny of
the UK is headed.
Why I Have Voted to Leave the EU
Reviewed by Student Voices
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Congratulations Pats Whooooooo Hooooooooooooo
ReplyDeleteV
You've entirely misunderstood the concept of "free trade" which means no tariffs, quotas etc are imposed upon exports and imports, meaning countries can use comparative advantage to specialise in the good and services they can produce at the lowest opporunity cost. The government pays the subscription which aids EU projects and is based on who is doing the best economically- akin to progressive styles of taxation.
ReplyDeleteWhilst I agree with you about TTIP, envisaging a scenario where our Government would be any better is ludicrous. They'll push for an agenda much further right-wing, neoliberal and punishing to the ordinary person. They certainly won't follow agendas close to anyone at War on Want.
Also, the "global context"- there's significant evidence of trends to suggest that 'regionalisation' rather than 'globalisation' is taking place in terms of Free Trade Agreements and so leaving the EU is more likely to leave us in a much harder position to negotiate globally. Unfortunately we can't reverse this decision and we'l have to live with the consequences.
I see your point, but I think the reason why a lot of people have voted to leave was because they didn't see the EU as democratic I think.
DeleteI see your point, but I think the reason why a lot of people have voted to leave was because they didn't see the EU as democratic I think.
DeleteI see your point, but I think the reason why a lot of people have voted to leave was because they didn't see the EU as democratic I think.
Delete