Dear Editor,
The British people have voted to exit the European Union after 43 years of membership.
This is indeed a historic development which can have far reaching consequences not only for the people of Britain, but for the whole of Europe.
This decision in my view is a retrograde step and represented a victory for nationalists and the far right, driven mainly by anti-immigrant and xenophobic tendencies which have taken strong root in several European countries following the tidal wave of immigrants within the past few years.
One likely consequence of the vote is that it could have a domino effect in other European countries, in particular France and Germany which have significant migrant populations.
One major casualty in the vote is British Prime Prime Minister David Cameron who has already signalled his intention to resign.
Regardless of how one may wish to look at it, one thing is clear, namely that the strength and unity of the world’s leading trade bloc is undermined by the departure of Britain from the European Union.
It is indeed sad that nationalistic and perceived self-interest have gained the upper hand in Britain which once prided itself as the head of the Commonwealth of nations and whose greatness was anchored in the unique and special relationship it enjoyed with former colonies and other dependent territories.
One can only hope that the decision to leave will not embolden ultra-nationalist and extremist elements to take a much stronger anti-immigration stance and pressure their respective governments to follow the British example.
It will be interesting to see how the decision to leave the EU will play out, but one thing is certain, the EU will not be the same without Britain.
Yours faithfully,
Hydar Ally
