The claims on both sides are simply that. We will have to wait and see what happens when the terms of the exit deal are known. Until then nothing is certain. Some of the early fall in shares was due to speculative trading and the stock market is likely to go up and down over the period the exit deal is being put together. There are concerns from the health research sector, education and the business sector about the potential lack of future European funding once we are outside the EU. The claims that business can be reborn are just claims: we will still be subject to the unpredictable effects of globalisation, and people will have to realise that getting the cheapest product has knock on consequences. Bringing back manufacturing to industrial areas won't happen simply because we leave the EU. We do need to change minds on what constitutes a 'real' job and encourage people to follow the example of migrants who are willing to take on the lower paid/lower status jobs that many now see as 'beneath us' or not a 'proper job (for a man)'. An example is the health care sector which has to supprt an ageing population (who predominantly voted Leave) increasingly in need of nursing and home support care.
Various sources
Europe
Other countries have pressure groups demanding a referendum.
- In France, some 60% of the voting population are said to be in favour of leaving.
- In Germany and Italy there is also talk of a referendum.
The English language is an important factor in migrants wanting to come to the UK. English is the default language for international communication in most parts of Europe. 'In official meetings in Brussels and Strasbourg, simultaneous translation is used. But when an Estonian MEP has a quiet chat with one of their Slovenian counterparts, or a Latvian official wants to buttonhole an Italian, it's almost certain they will speak English to each other. Even in official documents, English is dominant.'
Source: Peter Trudgill in pop-up newspaper The New European, Issue 15-21 July, 2016.
Theresa May's European Mission Impossible: Toby Helm outlines the current attitudes of Germany, Spain, Poland, The Netherlands, France and Italy. The Guardian/Observer online, 24 July 2016
A survey of 1,205 people in the sector (60% of whom were CEOs or company founders) found 85% want to see the UK remaining part of the European single market. Half say the biggest issue is hiring and retaining non-UK staff, and think it will be more difficult to attract and retain the best talent. Half also say they plan to raise capital outside the UK in the next year.
Global issues
Commonwealth countries have relied on the UK as a voice of support for their interests.
US exports to the UK amount to $56bn (£42m); just over 0.3% of the US GDP.
Various sources
