As Prime Minister May gives formal notice of the UK's intention to leave the European Union, the diehard remainers continue to witter on. Some fly in the face of every smidgeon of economic evidence and continue to try to convince the rest of us that the long forecast disaster is still just around the corner. Others, such as the Scottish First Minister, see opportunities for simple political advantage for themselves and their own particular plans.
Back in June of last year, we were being told that a vote to leave the EU would result in instant catastrophe; 9 months on and there is little evidence of any such thing. In fact, most businesses have carried on as before and many have even found new opportunities arising. Predictions of additional heavy government borrowing have not materialised and, while the pound has lost value against other currencies, many would argue that it was previously overvalued and that what has happened has been nothing other than a much needed correction. There has been no collapse in consumer confidence, no outrushing of businesses terrified of the future and the sky hasn't fallen in, yet the likes of Nick Clegg and his Europhile pals still persist. The truth is that they simply don't want to lose their access to a highly profitable gravy train and yet another opportunity to stick their snouts in the trough of public money.
Those who see Brexit as a political opportunity may be an even worse bunch. These are people who care nothing for their constituents or, indeed, for the United Kingdom, people who have no faith in our nation and who desire only to maintain the status quo and their own positions; all they care about is how to use the situation to achieve their own political ends. One of these, Tony Blair, sees an opportunity to forge a new role for himself as some sort of 'elder statesman', and, possibly, even as an opportunity to retake possession of the crisis ridden Labour party.
In Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, sees Brexit as an opportunity to demand another referendum on the question of Scottish independence. Despite the fact that there was a referendum less than 3 years ago and that the Scots voted against leaving the UK by a significant margin, Sturgeon refuses to give up on her dream. She and her like-minded fanatics ignore the reality of Scotland's economic position, the 55% of their population who voted against separation and the massive political and economic issues that it would create. While releasing the UK from the EU after 44 years is not straightforward, separating Scotland from the United Kingdom after more than 300 years would surely be far more so. The affairs of Scotland are so intricately linked with those of the rest of the UK, in every respect, that separation would be difficult and painful in the extreme, not to say potentially catastrophic for Scotland which relies so heavily on financial support from England.
Additionally, Sturgeon seems to be so determined to achieve independence for Scotland that she also makes light of the political difficulties that it would then face. She tells her people that an independent Scotland would still use sterling as its currency, there would be no border controls between it and England and it would be able to re-join the European Union without the slightest delay or difficulty. All of this is, of course, a mixture of sheer speculation, fantasy and nonsense but is essential propaganda if Ms Sturgeon is to have any chance of winning an independence referendum.
We are obviously set for 2 years of argument, counter-argument, promises, lies, threats, horror stories, and an entirely phoney political war. Regardless of all of this, from 1st April 2019, the UK will no longer be a member of the European Union and then the rule changes will happen and opportunities become apparent and real. Bring it on !
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