Britain has good reason for optimism
One week ago, people in their millions cast votes to end our membership of the European Union and assert this country’s right to chart its own course in the world, a free nation again just as we were before we joined in 1973. More people voted to leave than have ever voted for anything in British history; the referendum was an inspiring exercise in democracy.
Yet in recent days, that inspiration has almost been obscured by gloom, much of it promoted by bitter Remain-supporting politicians and institutions. They have constructed a narrative that has left some voters wondering if they did the right thing. Fuelling the doubts are turmoil in often-volatile financial markets and hysterical rhetoric from a European Commission whose bureaucrats are increasingly out of step with Europe’s elected leaders. However, the gloom is misplaced, not least because, very little has actually changed in a week. Britain remains the world’s fifth biggest economy, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, an open, vibrant multiracial democracy whose wealth, culture and prospects are the envy of much of the world. We also remain, for now, members of the EU.
Britain’s formidable strengths should be foremost in all our minds in the months ahead, which will see more uncertainty as the Tories chose a new prime minister and EU leaders seek to hurry Britain into starting exit talks unnecessarily quickly. But there is no need to panic and good reason for optimism. The demand for haste from the EU elite gives a clue about how those talks will go: the EU has a great deal at stake, maybe even its survival. Threats to give Britain nothing may give way to a self-preserving willingness to do a deal advantageous to both sides.
Quite what that deal will look like remains unclear, but the Conservative leadership contest should provide the first clues: the crucial issue on which candidates must show leadership is tarifffree access to the single market. Is it essential for our national prosperity, and if so, what price is worth paying in terms of immigration? Britain needs a leader who can answer that question convincingly, then deliver the answer. The negotiations will be long and arduous, but we should never doubt that they will end in a settlement beneficial to Britain. This is a great country with a great future.