As the implications of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union stare that country in the face, many of those who voted against continued membership are already feeling guilty of having believed every word of those steering the Leave campaign, particularly Boris Johnson, the former mayor of London. Their assurance that the country’s contribution to the EU could, for instance, be pumped into the national health service if they voted against remaining in the EU, will for long be remembered as one of the most blatant political ruses.
Most Maltese did not share the Leave campaigners’ views but that is now immaterial for the majority have decided against remaining in the EU. Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has gone on record saying he disagrees with those who try to belittle Leave voters by labelling them ignorant and uneducated. Well, they may very well be educated but many of them must have allowed themselves to be deluded by politicians bent on making an insular and irrational assessment of the benefits of EU membership, as was the case with politicians of the Malta Labour Party when the Maltese were deciding what was best for their island – membership or a special partnership – in 2003.
Despite Labour’s scaremongering, the majority of people twice voted (in a referendum and a general election) that the best course for Malta was EU membership. The Labour leader has now seen for himself the benefits of EU membership and says that leaving would be suicidal. He does not need to fear on this score for there is no hint that the country has changed its mind.
What the people are mostly concerned about is the impact the UK’s departure will have on the island. Those following the ups and downs of the European project are naturally also interested in seeing how EU leaders will handle the changing landscape, the fallout from the UK’s decision and the kind of relationship that country will be fashioning with the EU in the exit negotiations.
In Parliament, Dr Muscat spoke of how he and his government were looking at the challenges posed by the British voters’ decision and gave the people to understand that everything was under control. Each ministry, he said, had its own contingency plan, which was prepared months in advance, to react to the challenges and opportunities that would arise.
However, other than an assurance that it will be helping out firms that are expected to be hit, the Prime Minister was short on details. If, ashe says, the plans were prepared months in advance, there should be no reason why the people should not be told what they are exactly. Why all this secrecy?
Tourism from the UK is expected to be hit but assurances have been given that the health service arrangements with that country are to remain in place.
As to the exemption of value added tax on food and medicine, this will remain in place too. First given on grounds that it had been extended to the UK, the exemption has become a permanent concession for Malta.
Students opting to continue their studies in the UK will eventually have to pay higher fees and the case of Maltese nationals working there will have to be looked into as well.
However, the first priority is to work out the kind of relationship the UK is to have with the EU and that may take longer than the two years allowed for the conclusion of the exit negotiations.