Mark Anthony Falzon (‘A Union Called Nigel Farage’, June 26) got it right when he attributed the Leave campaign’s success to nationalism.
Quite simply, there has been a virtual 100 per cent hostility to the EU in the press ever since the UK joined. I have lived in Britain for 38 years; never have I come across a single positive article in any of the mass-readership papers.
Staggeringly, no one in the UK seems to know what the benefits of being in the EU have been. Those above the age of 40 will virtually all say: “We give money to the others and get nothing back except migrants who take our jobs, houses and hospitals.”
The reality is that immigration produces a net contribution of £20 billion annually to the economy – quite simply, Britain needs immigrants!
The sad fact is that Farage, Johnson et al ruthlessly and, in my view, disgracefully, exploited two issues.
In the first instance, a large proportion of the indigenous British (principally English) population is now aged 70 and over. These people remember “Empire”. They were brought up with the subtle feeling of being better than everyone else. They have become uncomfortable with the large number of immigrants in the UK.
Crucially, they also share with the “working classes” a concern about the resident Muslim population and the relentless diet of press reports linking it to Islamic terrorism.
The reality is that most British Muslims originate from outside the EU. Brexit will mean an increased requirement for immigration from the Commonwealth, which may well result in an increase in Muslim immigration. EU migrants come from (nominally) Christian countries.
I have mixed and worked with a significant number of Muslims in my time here. I find them courteous and easy to get on with. I have yet to meet a terrorist. What the Muslim community does need to do, however, is to integrate better. Too many second generation (principally women) immigrants still do not speak English as a first language.
Interestingly, the areas of Britain with high numbers of EU immigrants (who come from Christian countries and who integrate very easily) voted overwhelmingly Remain. Brexit voters occupy areas with low EU numbers. Some, such as the North of England, have relatively high numbers of Asian immigrants.
Young people, hearteningly, also voted overwhelmingly Remain. They are not best pleased with their elders!
The Leave campaign has been founded on half-truths, disgraceful scaremongering and raw nationalism. The Far Right will be emboldened. There are already reports of abuse of immigrants on trains, the streets and at the school gates.
Johnson and Farage also promised “more money for the NHS and UK as a whole”. The reality is that the UK is headed for recession. The Bank of England has already felt obliged to pump £250 billion into the economy to boost confidence. I suspect that the country’s finances will deteriorate for a long time to come as a result of leaving the EU.
The reputational damage done to the UK will be significant and long-lasting. It will be seen to be self-serving and dishonourable. Nato will suffer through suspicion, discord and reduced cooperation. ISIS has declared itself delighted. Putin must be equally pleased to see the “enemy” dissolve into confusion and dissent.
This is a very sad time for the UK and for Europe.