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Brexit Is Happening And You're Unsure How To Feel

Brexit Is Happening And You're Unsure How To Feel

What is your view?

Michael Minay

Michael Minay

It's happened. The vote seems like a long time ago. Now, Article 50 has been triggered. Brexit.

June 23rd 2016 will forever hold a significant date in British history. It was the day millions woke to find the news that the nation had voted to leave the European Union.

In the days that followed, the Prime Minister stepped down, the rest of the EU stood up tall and we were told 'Brexit means Brexit, and we're going to make a success of it'.

But the full extent of the impact of the small majority's decision to leave the world's biggest single market is unknown.

Credit: BBC

Will there be a free-trade agreement? Will the money saved from the EU be put back into the NHS? How many migrants will be allowed to enter the country?

Ever since the vote, there have been uncertain times. So, how do you feel as the button is pushed and Britain's exit from the European Union begins. LADbible spoke to you, our community, to gauge the opinion for and against Brexit.

    AGAINST

    Molly is 25 years old and works as a sales executive for an exhibition centre in Yorkshire. She's a remainer.

    "I didn't think the EU was perfect, but I believe working together is a better attitude to have, and all of us being in an organisation-style together, encourages dialogue. If you live with someone you can't avoid them, living two doors down and you can - and that's when tensions build.

    "We must make a go of it. We should think long term. There'll always be opportunities. It's too easy for a fascist argument to grab headlines and take hold. 'Take back control', they said. Take control of what? We helped set up the EU, we have a large say in the EU.

    "Short term, at work, we've lost contracts due to Brexit uncertainty. On the day after alone we lost two shows because of uncertainty of the market. They no longer wanted to expand their company.

    "It all hangs on the trade deal we hammer out. There's opportunity but we need to make sure we are a preferred export and importer for Europe. We don't need to behave like wankers in negotiations. You have to remember, other people need to be considered. The 'Don't you know who I am?' routine hasn't got anyone anywhere.

    "We would be so much the worse for not having a massively diverse community. Mixing in society has worked so well - even right down to the food we eat."

    Darren, 21, is a languages student from the University of Manchester. He's currently teaching English in Spain as part of his course.

    "I was extremely disappointed with the result as I voted to stay. I'm from London and study in Manchester - two vibrant 'remain' cities.

    "However, I disagree with the protests for a second referendum; it's politically, and morally, wrong after more than half voted to leave.

    "I can see it ruining the country in the long run. The economy could downturn, not be as attractive to traders and opportunities will be down as well. I see no positives in it.

    "I'm lucky to have an Irish passport, but being based in the UK, and as a student, I'm worried about the graduate opportunities."

    Credit: PA

    And what about the people in the know? Andy is 24 and a financial analyst at a top-tier bank. A man with all the numbers maybe?

    "I voted to remain as I feel it's better trying to change something from the inside, while a member, than trying to correct it from the outside.

    "In the finance sector, we've not yet seen a direct impact. And the important thing to remember is all these firms have a contingency plan. There's been a lot of over-hype. There are plans in place ready for if and when any scenario happens.

    "As a global firm, we know that if the worst came to the worst and every job had to move, which I don't think it would, there'll be opportunism elsewhere for relocation. Right now, we are good couple of years off. Everyone will wait to see what happens with border control first.

    "With every threat is an opportunity. It could be the worst thing ever or, personally, I believe, it won't impact us, certainly not now. We shall just see what happens."

    Credit: PA

    FOR

    Matt is 24 and voted to leave the EU. He works in the car industry in Cheshire and thinks Brexit could help.

    "I don't regret my decision. The idea of putting more money into our economy is a main reason I voted to leave. We've bailed out Greece too many times and I doubt we'll be the only ones wanting to leave. Look at France, they could go the same way.

    "The EU was sucking up too much money. And I'm not thinking about reinvesting it in the NHS, I feel that's a dying cause. Maybe pump the money into schools and the police force - they've had a lot of cuts recently.

    "We can make better trade deals alone. Brazil wants to set up a car manufacturers' deal but can't as the EU has argued who gets what share. We can negotiate a deal now. I'm largely optimistic about the future of Britain."

    Could Britain's car industry see a boost from Brexit? Credit: PA

    THE EUROPEAN VIEW

    Neda, 29, along with her family, moved to the UK from Bosnia amid the break-up of Yugoslavia in 1992. She's relatively optimistic about Britain's future.

    "The general vibe, from speaking to friends back home, is that if Britain had stayed in the EU, we would be stronger. But there is hope that Theresa May can strike the right deals and we can still have that good relationship.

    "I've been here (The UK) for 25 years, and I've never felt like a foreigner in England. But a few days after Brexit, I was in a coffee shop talking to my mum in Bosnian, and suddenly started to get a few funny looks. I've never had that before, I felt uneasy. So I guess I'm a little more cautious than before.

    "However, I do not fear for my future in England. I'm settled in my work, happy and the family is settled, too."

    What will the future hold? Credit: PA

    It would seem that, if the European Union was broken then many would like it to be fixed from the inside, instead of making a stand by walking away - particularly those who are more at risk with a breakaway. That risk can come in the form of job opportunities, education or migration.

    Trade will form one of the largest parts of the Brexit negotiations. If Prime Minister Theresa May can make it work, like Matt pointed out, then there may be no, or little, side effects from leaving the European Union.

    And it is widely known that America wants to continue to build strong links. Rapidly developing countries in the form of Brazil, China and India may also wish to strike deals. If they do, then these are huge economies to tap into.

    THE EXPERT OPINION

    LADbible spoke to ITV's political editor, Robert Peston. He gave his view on what Brexit could hold for the future in Britain following the break.

    "There is the risk of a bigger slowdown [in the economy] this year as, with a pound collapse, Britain could be in worse shape.

    "Younger people, inevitably, tend to live on a tighter budget. They don't have savings to dip into and there is a risk that they will feel the squeeze greater, too.

    "Although the Prime Minister wants to replicate as many of the current trade deals that we have now, we don't know how strong they will be. The worry is that it will become difficult for British businesses to sell into the rest of EU market. Businesses will employ fewer people, operations will be moved outside of the UK and I argue this could be worse felt by the young people.

    Credit: PA

    "However, if May succeeds in part controlling the workflow of people coming in (in a non-damaging way), it could mean young people in Britain get the kind of job opportunities they want. BUT if you stop too many people coming in, then the economy slows sharply. It's a very sensitive issue.

    "Universities themselves are very dependent on foreign students, and talent, from the rest of the world. Many would argue that this helps to finance and enhance Britain's reputation. There's a big debate as to whether immigration caps should include students. The last thing we want to do is to turn our institutes into 'Little Britain' institutions.

    "The potential positive is that over time, as and when we leave, we have the ability as a nation to make our own laws and run our economy.

    "The biggest negative, if I were a young person, is that one of most exciting things, currently, is the opportunity to travel, and work, with no problem. We are a huge, diverse geographical area, and it's just inconceivable that when we leave the EU that it will be as easy to live and work in Europe and that's a huge cost."

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    The full extent of Brexit will never be known until it is all finalised, but one thing is for certain, whatever happens, British youth will seemingly feel the effects the most.

    The EU is the largest single market in the world. It's existed for 24 years and now Britain will break up that unity.

    With Britain about to enter two years of complete uncertainty. Watch this space.

    Featured Image Credit:

    Topics: Europe, EU, theresa may, brexit, Britain