So if you aren't living under a rock you've likely heard about Brexit, and if you are one of those rock dwellers you can find a lot of the facts you need to know here. I’m not here to summarize what happened with the vote or what it means for the United Kingdom right now (but hint: it’s probably not good). What I am here to talk about is what Brexit could represent for America, how narcissistic, I know. But for us, in a purely self-serving sense, what has happened with Brexit could be a good thing—besides all the economic issues it might cause that is. If you reading this are an American, then prior to the vote you may not have even heard of Brexit, because here across the Atlantic we’ve been dealing with our own political happenings, namely, the 2016 Presidential election and Donald Trump becoming the Republican nominee. So Brexit, going down the way it did, when it did, could be a good thing for us, if we choose to pay attention. It can be a warning.
The Brexit campaign looks quite similar to one American’s should be familiar with, the campaign to “Make America Great Again”. The Brexit Leave campaign was headed by Nigel Farage and UKIP (United Kingdom Independent Party), and what a large portion of their campaign consisted of was xenophobia and fear tactics. Being a member of the EU, the United Kingdom essentially wasn’t allowed to bar immigration from other EU countries, so with the poorer EU countries emigrating in search for jobs, UKIP was given an opportunity. An opportunity to use these immigrants to inspire fear in the hearts and minds of hard working—albeit somewhat nationalistic—United Kingdom citizens, sound familiar? Whether it’s Mexicans who want to steal our jobs, or Muslims who want to kill us, Donald Trump has been vocal about immigrants—especially those of different color—being an extreme danger to our country. UKIP has done similarly, stating that letting in Syrian refugees will let in ISIS, and that all the immigration from EU countries will leave UK citizens jobless. Both UKIP and The Donald have inspired fear and hatred in the hearts of what is often just middle class families who are scared of being unable to provide for themselves.
So when it came time for the UK to vote, 52 percent voted to leave, and this is where the warning comes in. The UK made this choice, followed UKIP with its xenophobia, promises of taking back their country, and uncertain plans for how to do that, and… now they’re free! They don’t have to worry about all the immigrants stealing their jobs! Hooray for the UK and their economy, and making Britain Great Again! Well… except for the fact that the value of the GBP is tanking… as is their stock market… and the status of their international relations. So… maybe… not so great? That’s right, the choice they made so they could lower immigration so that honest hardworking citizens can get all the jobs they want? It kinda ruined their economy, so I guess that one kind of backfired huh? Not to mention that it’s likely the UK will to some extent break up because Scotland and Northern Ireland voted heavily against leaving the EU and aren’t happy about this end result. But at least they took their country back right? Right?
Actually wrong. Many who had voted Leave took to social media after the vote, stating they felt misled, and wishing they could change their vote, leading the the hashtag "#Regrexit" trending on Twitter. And a petition, asking for a second referendum due to the vote being so close and only 75% of eligible citizens having voted (remember that next time you think your vote doesn't matter) has gained over three million signatures. So basically, the regret is ever present.
So there is our warning America. A campaign uncomfortably similar to Trump’s in it’s motivations, opinions, and goals has won, and they are left with an economy heavily weakened, a nation divided, and a future unclear. We have been warned. But are we listening?
