5 Reasons Why Older Population In Britain Voted To Leave The EU

Photo: Mick Baker (CC)

This article is republished with permission from Dollars and Sense.

Too little, too late.

There has been a great deal of backlash surrounding Brexit, the final decision of the referendum where majority of the British population voted to leave the European Union (EU). With all the unhappiness and anger that has resulted from Brexit, we wonder why these concerns were not highlighted and expressed more firmly before the voting took place?

Votes are in, results are out, Britain will no be longer a part of the EU. If there are to be so many detrimental effects leaving the EU, why would anyone vote for Brexit?

#1 Immigration

One of the conditions for being part of the EU, is that the UK cannot prevent anyone from any member state from coming to live and work in their country. This has been a major reason for the large influx of immigrants in the UK in recent years. With total net migration to the UK at more than 300,000 a year, it represents competition in housing and service provision.

Brexit allows the UK to have greater control over their national borders and could help increase security in the country. The open borders under the EU deny British security from checking and controlling people entering the country, raising the threat of terrorist attacks.

However, this works both ways. British citizens would face restrictions entering other European countries once they are excluded from the EU. Britons would no longer benefit from an equivalent right to live and work anywhere else in the EU.

#2 Multi-Culturalism

This problem of immigration also raises the issue of a dilution of national identity in the UK. Leaving the EU could open up more opportunities for the restoration of British customs and traditions that have been lost over the years.

#3 Freedom

By separating itself from the EU, the UK would have the freedom to control their own affairs, legal system as well as establish their own trade agreements.

However, this also means that the UK may no longer benefit from the free trade and open borders countries of the EU enjoy. This also affects the impact and negotiating power that the UK would have as a sovereign state, on global issues.

#4 Jobs

Fewer immigrants in the UK would free up more job opportunities for the British population.

However, this could also lead to labour shortages in the country. Britons could also face difficulties in finding jobs in other European countries once they are no longer part of the EU.

#5 Membership Fees

As a member of the EU, the UK pays membership fees just like every other EU country. Leaving the EU means that the UK saves its cost on membership fees (which was £13 billion in 2015).

However, without the free market benefits which EU countries enjoys, Britain’s economy is expected to see a 0.1% to 3.9% decrease in their GDP by year 2030 due to the increase in cost of trading.