BREXIT-What Next?

The Department of International Studies and History organized a guest lecture on “Brexit and Northern Island - some reflections on the confidence and supply agreement between the Conservative Party and the Democratic Unionist Party” by Professor Paul Carmichael and Professor Venkat Iyer from Ulster University, UK.

Professor Paul Carmichael began his talk on how BREXIT has become a talk of the show in international relations. He spoke on how British Isles is a disputed term. If the Prime Minister wins the upcoming general election of European Union (EU), then Britain will secede EU. He threw light on how David Cameron’s referendum was an unfulfilled election promise in 2015 and later in 2017 the Hung Parliament came into existence, these made Britain to move closer towards conservatism. 51.9% (17.4 million) of the population in UK have decided to leave the EU whereas 48.1% (16.1 million) have decided to remain as an integral part of EU. The entire issue for the Northern Island steps from the Johnson lines as this isn’t a fortified border but an open Irish border line which runs amid houses making it possess a contentious nature. The nature of the citizenship lies in the fact that the people born in North Ireland can have dual passports of UK and Ireland. Further he spoke on how the five parties have evolved in UK namely- BREXIT party, Liberal Democrats, Labour Party, Green Party and the Conservatives who have marked their spots by creating a niche of dawning a new era of autonomy which usher’s growth and prosperity. Hence the world order is noting a key development in balance of power where UK will again be at the front of the rest of the European nations in all aspects and cannot be curtailed or be bound by the terms and conditions of EU.

Professor Venkat Iyer as the editor of the Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs spoke on the long-term consequences of the actions taken by Britain. He stated that this would lead to bitterness in the British society. Further, a comparative study was done between that of ASEAN and EU. He states that ASEAN as a regional organisation aims for inclusiveness in spite of its diversity and this concern has made it achieve remarkable success whereas on the other hand, EU is treated not as an economic, cultural unit but more of a political unit which arises several crises. In this matter, UK is of the opinion that the membership to the EU means a direct harm on the infringement of its sovereignty rights. The divorce from EU has two implications. Firstly, EU prevents radical interests and aims for cooperative efforts which stands much in opposition to British’s National Interest. Secondly, EU aims to establish a unified monetary unit disregarding the fact of the existence of large disparities and Britain sees no returns for its aids provided till date. Only 8% is the UK’s trade with EU which is the 12 % of the GDP of Britain so it might not create a much difference for her. But Britain mustn’t forget the global implications it would create by her decision and these future implications are to be given a thought.

The lecture was followed by an engaging Q&A session. Professor Paul Carmichael and Professor Venkat Iyer were presented with a token of appreciation by Dr Vagishwari SP followed by a vote of thanks.