To leave or not to leave that is the Trillion Euro question?
I have been taken part in quite a few discussions about Brexit and the effect of leaving Europe will have on the UK. I must say that most of the people are not really aware of the benefit versus the huge losses this decision will have on Britain’s economy and well being of the people as a whole.
The whole debate seems to be driven by fear and scare mongering especially the leave campaign by linking their decision with immigration and terrorism and last but not least the statement by Boris that the European project is what Hitler was aspiring for which is far from the truth and goes further to prove that desperate politicians in the leave campaign are not taking the British public seriously. There is still not much focus on the harm this decision will have on the UK thriving economic light due to the wise judgment made to trade within the common market.
It is clear that when globalisation was developing economist saw the world as three trading blocks, the Asian tiger block, the Americas and Europe. The logic is simple it is not possible for Europe to compete with Asia due to the tariffs, cheap labour force and the availability of raw materials as well the transportation issue. Therefore the UK can trade and make more business with Europe than the Far East or the USA. Look at the Steel problems recently as an example how we may fare in the future on our own.
Companies and people in marketing must come off the fence and decide how they want to vote on Europe and must put the benefits the UK and British companies have gained as member of the EU and stop pinning the opinions on immigration and Europe labour force.
Lets consider the benefit our membership has brought the UK:
1.The position of the UK as Europe financial hub will be overtaken quickly due to legislation and compliance criteria
2.The skilled and semi skilled labour force will leave the UK to Germany and France and hence creating a real labour shortage which we are finding difficult to fill
3.The UK strong base as the tech start-ups hub outside San Fran will very quickly leave creating a digital slump which is currently is 20% foreign owned
4.One of few booming economies around the globe will see interest rates hikes and property prices shaken
5.Foreign direct investment from Europe and overseas will move to Europe such as car manufacturing and other manufacturing industries and trade
6.The UK will not continue to have a thriving creative industry as it is currently being challenged by Germany and most of our advertising agency networks are part of global networks mainly foreign owned. The Global ad agency networks will ultimately lose business in Europe estimated to be in excess of £1.5 billion
7.Retail and construction will face acute shortage of skilled labour force that will halt the construction wheel and delay government plans to address the housing shortage gap
8.UK business, universities and educational establishments would lose access to EU support funding
I believe it is ludicrous for the UK to simply forget about these benefits and vote to leave and stop the boom that we have had for the past 2 decades, a boom that is the envy of the whole developing world.
