The European Union is to discuss the EU after Brexit and the UK’s position. According to Sigmar Gabriel, Germany’s Vice Chancellor, and fundamentally Angela Merkel’s deputy, the European Union could fall apart unless the exit of the UK is handled correctly. In his words, the EU “would go down the drain” if other states took the same step as the UK. He went on to say the UK could not just “keep the nice things” about Europe while accepting no responsibility.
He made this statement as Theresa May called ministers for a Wednesday meeting to discuss the withdrawal and its strategy. According to Downing Street Brexit is the main item on Theresa May’s agenda. She is known to be opposed to a full withdrawal from the EU and voted against Brexit.
The cabinet is also split over the exit, and the position of the UK and the EU after Brexit. The main question is will the government ignore the wishes of the British people, made clear in the June 23 vote, and delay the withdrawal for as long as possible?
According to Sigmar Gabriel, because of the decision of the population of the UK to leave the EU, other world countries now regard the European Union as unstable. He stated that the financial issues involved will not be as severe as some appear to think, but is more of a psychological and political problem. In fact, he referred to it as a “huge problem politically.”
A September summit has been called by Mrs Merkel to discuss the future of Europe after the UK leaves. This will be a difficult meeting, and she appreciates that the member states should not rush into precipitous decisions on future policy at this time. The remaining EU states must discuss the situation calmly, and listen carefully to the points that each has to make.
Discussions on the way the United Kingdom will handle its exit from the EU will be discussed at a Wednesday Cabinet meeting at Chequers, the UK Prime Minister’s official country home in Buckinghamshire. The UK’s equivalent of Camp David if you like to compare. She is likely to ask first what Brexit means to each cabinet minister and then likely also in Parliament.
This coincides with the formation of a cross-party group of MPs known as Open Britain. According to the Open Britain website it stands for “open-minded, open for business, open to trade and investment, open to talent and hard work, open to Europe and to the world. “ It wants to remain in Europe and the Free Trade Agreement but to do so without an unlimited influx of immigrants. Immigration will not be halted but will be controlled, without completely open borders to the EU after Brexit but with particular restriction applied to non-EU immigrants.
These are difficult but interesting times for Europe. It may be that an agreement will be reached permitting the UK access to the Free European market with free movement of citizens of the EU after Brexit. This would likely have to be a restricted form of permanent immigration to the UK – particularly of immigrants that immediately claim UK benefits paid for by UK workers.
Pvt. Ltd.
