HISTORIANS ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSES BREXIT

Another MHCC historians roundtable came together on Monday to discuss the issues surrounding the United Kingdom leaving the European Union – commonly called “Brexit” (shorthand for “British exit.”)

Some background: The UK consists of Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales. In the 1970s, the UK joined the EU, an economic and political partnership of mostly European countries that has grown to 28 countries.

There is freedom of movement between borders for the countries that are a part of the EU. This is beneficial, in terms of immigration, for instance, and for allowing doctors from various countries to travel and provide care in different regions of the EU, the roundtable panel said.

However, that easy movement can be conflicting as well – including the immigration – especially in the eyes of the UK. 

A public election was held in 2016 to decide if the UK should leave the EU, and two polar positions on the issue arose from this vote: There are many claims the public did not know what they were truly voting for, and that there was use of fear-mongering through propaganda promoting Brexit. 

Meantime, during 2016 the Syrian crisis was at full speed, and the ability for growing migrants/potential refugees to cross borders freely was a pressing issue at the time, making exiting the EU seem like a popular option. Moreover, the idea that taxes being paid to the EU could instead go towards national health care at home was an intriguing argument.

Clearly, leaving the EU would cause an immense amount of economic and immigration-related change for the UK, member of the panel said.

Scheduled roundtable participants included MHCC instructors Elizabeth Milliken, Jonathan Morrow, Peter Cunningham, Brady Carey, Eric Tschuy and Pat Casey.

Now, after much political controversy over Brexit, it won’t be until Oct. 31 that the decision to stay or leave the EU will be finalized.

The question people are asking now, the panel said, is “Will there be a second vote” after voters are properly informed? Politicians are being criticized by the public, and according to the MHCC panelists, debate has evolved into an issue of democracy, rather than an issue simply regarding Brexit.

Advocate Staff