Worrying trend against internationalism ignores success of European Union

As the descent into the morass of Brexit reaches ever greater depth in spite of the warnings of negative consequences contained in numerous official reports, in seeking a damage limitation outcome, where do we go from here ?

With negotiations between the UK Government and the EU representatives having at last gone beyond generalities, inevitably the long anticipated conflict of interest on the many issues which are part and par- cel of trade and commerce is certain to dominate present and future discussions.

The European Union, and its predecessors, has been an astonishingly successful economic and political organisation for over 70 years, transforming the lives of the inhabitants of member states by constantly improving standards of living. It is argued that this success has been at the expense of national sovereignty and the claim that the Community is being run by faceless Brussels-based bureaucrats. This argument won the day in the UK referendum result and has divided public opinion in most member states.

Faced with the threat of other members following the UK lead in pursuing the withdrawal mechanism, possibly resulting in the complete disintegration of the EU, the authorities are now confronting the worst crisis in the history of the EU. Should the UK be allowed to escape from the EU with an outcome similar to the benefits it presently enjoys, the door is opened to further defections, with possible catastrophic results.

This fear alone is sufficient to shape forthcoming negotiations.

The issue of political influence post withdrawal is certain to be a major point for discussion. Both the UK and the EU in separated form are inevitably diminished on the world stage and the current deterioration in relations between the UK and Russia in particular, highlights the importance of being part of an organisation with enhanced global status and maximum political influence.

The whole European political scenario perhaps reflects a widespread trend against internationalism and a growing belief in the “small is beautiful” mentality. If there are lessons to be learned from European history perhaps there is much to be said for closer integration rather than by sowing the seeds for possible future conflict.

In the immortal words of John Donne, “No man is an island entire of itself, every man is part of the continent, a piece of the main…”

Did he have a vision of the future? ROBERT MITCHELL

Matthews Drive Newtongrange, Midlothian