Should Britain Leave The EU? The Arguments For And Against
A look at whether or not the EU should ultimately vote to leave the EU in 2017.
When the Conservatives achieved their landslide election win in May this year, there was a clear surge of support by those who are unsure of the UK’s place in Europe. After all, part of the Tory manifesto pledge was to hold a referendum to discuss whether or not to exit the EU, and this is scheduled to take place at some point in 2017. There are a myriad of factors at play here, however, and the fact remains that deciding to leave the Euro is a consideration that requires careful consideration.
Should the UK leave the EU? The Cases for and against
In terms of the argument for leaving the EU, much of it is entrenched in the historical view of Britain as an island nation. This evokes a sense of independence and pride, especially among the generation of citizens that survived the trials of the Second World War. Given that the EU retains a basis of political control on issues such as trade, human rights and working directives, many feel as though the UK is losing its sense of independence and the right to govern its own subjects.
There are other factors that have combined to challenge the UK’s position in the EU. Take the issues of trade, for example, as while pro-Europeans argue that the British economy would lose an estimated 2.2% of its GDP by 2030. This argument is countered by the assertion that it could also theoretically gain a minimum of 1.6% through the negotiation of a free trade deal with Europe, while also enabling the UK to retain all aspects of importing and exporting from its shores.
The Case against Leaving the EU
The same point can be used to support the UK’s position in the EU, as while the financial loss of leaving Europe can be largely offset by independent trade deals there would still be a potential deficit of 0.6%. This could amount to a great deal in monetary terms, while trade relations may also be damaged at their root by a departure from the EU. The same principle could apply to the freedom of movement throughout the EU, which could limit job opportunities for UK workers who are willing to travel and relocate.
This point has been made forcibly by British Prime Minister David Cameron, who despite promising the referendum to appease disgruntled back-benchers and win back potential UKIP voters appears to be supportive of the UK’s role in the EU. He is certainly wary of the impact that leaving the EU could have on private sector businesses and the wider economy, and would probably prefer that the UK remains in place while pursuing positive modifications.
The Last Word
On balance, it appears as though the UK would vote to leave the EU if the referendum was held today. A review of the arguments for and against such a move suggests that this would be a questionable decision at best, however, with the majority of cogent points supporting the UK’s place in the EU. This underlines the need for a detailed discussion regarding the consequences of leaving the EU, so that voters can at least make an informed decision rather than one that is based on history or misconceptions.
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