Dear Editor,
Nations and political unions can only succeed if the people are on board. Government is by consent, not by assumption of consent, and not by the assumption of superior expertise or knowledge. If the people are ignored, they will pull the plug.
The far right and far left may be loud, but may be ignored. The middle ground conservative, progressive, or whatever, where the majority stand, and maintain fairness, may not be ignored. These are the people who get on with it and keep the system working; it takes a lot to alienate them, but when that happens, they will respond. There is no deep wound inflicted, this was a referendum with no pitchforks, pikes, or guillotine involved. People spoke in the only way that they could.
This came as a surprise to those who had determined in their own minds that there was only one way forward, but not to the generality of people. The European Union as it now operates, is the problem. The economic crash, and the immigration crisis have shown not only that the EU couldn’t cope, but also that it is unclear on the rights of its citizens, and how to protect those rights, and the welfare of its citizens.
It’s dealings with Greece have been appalling. Germany was rebuilt after WW2, why not Greece? Why grind it down and allow it to be overburdened with immigrants?
Where is the long term immigration policy, and control of the Mediterranean, that would have saved lives and prioritized refugees?
The economic union was successful, but the European Union has moved too quickly from an economic union to a political union. It can, and should be successful, but it needs to reinvent itself, and its philosophy.
Yours faithfully,
Rooplall Dudhnath
