Travel, jobs, economy – what will actually happen now that the British people has voted to leave European Union? The short answer is: Nobody knows. No country has ever left the union before, so the politicians both here and in Brussels (where the EU headquarter is) are unsure. But now we know at least one thing: Our new Prime Minister Theresa May will not be waiting around much longer to start the process. By the end of March, she will “trigger article 50”, which means she will use a certain paragraph in the big EU agreement that talks about how to renounce the membership.
It was on June 23rd this year that people all over Great Britain voted and took a decision that will change our lives. More than half of those who voted said that Britain should not be part of the EU any longer.
The EU (European Union) is a group of countries whose governments work together to make laws for the different countries in Europe.
The only people who were allowed to vote in the referendum were citizens of Britain and Ireland, and members of the Commonwealth who live in the UK. To be able to vote in any national election in this country, you have to be 18 years or older.
So what did people say who still think the EU is a good idea? Working in a collaboration with others sounds like a great idea, doesn’t it? There are lots of benefits for us in the UK. For instance…
- There is freedom of movement – we are allowed to travel to other countries, live in other countries and get jobs in other countries in Europe.
- We can trade freely across the EU without duties and taxes. Over 3 million jobs are linked to exports. That would be a lot of trade and jobs to lose!
- We also collaborate on other things like crime, security and subsidies for key industries such as farming.
Some people, like Boris Johnson, believe we should be in control of our country and our elected government should make the laws for our people.
- We don’t have to pay the membership fee(last year, Britain paid in £13bn).
- We have been in the EU for 43 years and it costs a lot.
- People are taking advantage of our free services that should be used by British people.
These are the arguments that Theresa May and her party has to balance so that everyone is reasonably happy in the end. Because even if a majority wanted out, 46% still like the EU and a too harsh break could create conflicts within the UK. As so often, the politicians have to find a compromise that everyone can live with. Let’s just see what it will look like this time.
By Ella and Mina (updated by Cecilia)