The decision by the British people to quit from the European Union is unfortunate for the United Kingdom, for the EU and for Malta. Nonetheless, it is the decision of a sovereign people and must be respected as such. It should lead without delay to the mechanism for withdrawal as provided for in the European treaties.
The UK always opted for a pragmatic approach through which it enjoyed membership in the EU, by equally staying out of the euro and out of Schengen, as well as out of decisions pertaining to relocation and resettlement of migrants, in terms of reservations the UK felt in the area of freedom, security and justice.
Ironically by opting to move completely out of the EU, the UK will be entitled to less rather than more cherry picking – since membership and non-membership could never be placed on an equal footing.
If they were, the whole concept of membership would become totally irrelevant.
Writing in The Guardian after the referendum result, Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett stood up for young people in the UK. It is estimated that 75 per cent of young people voted for continued membership.
“If you are young and you are experiencing feelings of fury and heartbreak about the result, you are justified in doing so. The political is personal: the way that the future weeks, months and years play out will have powerful, definable consequences on the way you live.”
Equally, Cosslett reflected on the mistake committed by those who removed themselves from the decision-making process by not voting, despite having the power to swing the result. The outcome of all elections and referenda is determined solely by those who bother to express their preference through the ballot box. That is a major lesson to keep in mind.
The trend towards manipulation, spinning and, even worse, playing on emotion through populism, can only lead to dire consequences
On another note, we need to re-establish the fundamental value that while political decisions in a democracy must reflect the opinion of the majority, all decisions need to be reached by providing the electorate with facts: with the truth. Regrettably the trend towards manipulation, spinning and, even worse, playing on people’s emotions through populism, can only lead to dire consequences.
Peter Oborne in his book The Rise of Political Lying points out: “Lying has many of the characteristics of an assault, which is why Machiavelli urged it as an alternative to war. It strips the victims of the ability to make a soundly based judgement, treats them as children, converts them into instruments, removes their humanity and turns them into dupes.”
That is another, even more important, lesson to keep in mind.
Ultimately, no matter how much we may engage in an analysis of the result of the British referendum, what is really important for us at this stage is to ensure that we uphold the national interest.
In a press conference given last Friday, Nationalist Party leader Simon Busuttil asserted: “We stand for our national interest.”
Busuttil was one of the key persons to campaign for Malta to become an EU member, and it gives us pride to listen to our political adversaries boast of the success that our country has achieved through our membership in that Union.
The agreement that will be negotiated between the EU and the UK will have a direct impact on us.
Think of the Maltese people studying or working in the UK, of our commercial relations, of the impact that the British market has on our tourism industry and the financial services sector.
This is one roadmap that cannot be relegated to imagination. It needs to be real, precise and specific with regard to all sectors that it should cover.
The PN is willing to cooperate and work hand in hand with the government in this difficult and challenging moment. Our track record is that of a party which places first and foremost, ensuring our own benefit and future.
The past 12 years have proven us right. More than ever, we need to build on the success we have achieved through 12 years of EU membership.
Francis Zammit Dimech is a Nationalist member of Parliament.