Britain leaves the EU and steps into the unknown

The UK finally left the EU at 2300 hours of Friday 31 January 2020. I have mixed emotions, not least as a British citizen married to a German and living in Germany. On one hand I am genuinely sad to have left a community of European nations, though on the other I recognise that the UK's exit from the EU has been for a long time inevitable. The UK's destiny is not to be a 'province' in a European super state, and the EU's worrying lack of democracy, whether it be in its key appointments (who voted for Von Der Leyen?), it's propensity to ignore or overturn national referendums, the manner in which it treated Greece, and the replacement of democratically elected politicians (e.g. Berlosconi) has long worried me and I know many others too. The EU preaches liberal values but actually acts in an illiberal manner, especially when threatened.

10 Downing Street 

Turning to the economic picture, the EU will trudge on, crippled by an utterly dysfunctional currency, dreadful demographics, economic protectionism and a loss in confidence in its own Judeo-Christian cultural heritage. The EU's economy has continued to grow in size, albeit painfully slowly, but the rest of the world's has grown much faster. The answer to these chronic problems is always the same - more Europe and deeper integration, when actually the answer that is needed is less. The loss of the UK will hit the EU hard, not least in terms of cash, economic and cultural vigour, military power and diplomatic heft. And whilst I can't foresee any other countries leaving the EU in the near future, the precedent has now been set and unless things improve for the countries condemned to economic sloth and high unemployment, public pressure to escape is likely to increase.

Celebrations in Parliament Square

And the UK? I am reminded (as ever) of something Churchill said on Saint George's Day in 1933. 'Nothing can save England if she will not save herself. If we lose faith in ourselves, in our capacity to guide and govern, if we lose our will to live, then indeed our story is told.' Somewhat remarkably the British people have answered that question anew beckoning in a new era of their island story. For sure, challenges will lie ahead and there is work to be done to strengthen the union, but I for one am immensely proud of what we have achieved.  Friday night was genuinely historic and the most significant event in my country's history during my lifetime.