“Detrimental” and “uninformed” are just two of the words University of Edinburgh students used to describe their impression of Brexit.
10 years after the Brexit referendum, the UK’s new prime minister Andy Burnham has suggested negotiations about the United Kingdom potentially rejoining the EU. At a plenary session on 20 October, many members of the European Parliament, in turn, expressed their openness for the UK to reverse Brexit. These developments have sparked new arguments and discussions, as well as prompting Edinburgh students, most of whom were still too young to vote at the time, to reconsider their position.
Brexit changed the political, economic, and social landscape of not just Great Britain, but the EU as well. One of the biggest noticeable effects of Brexit concerns the freedom of travel within Europe. One British student, who studies French, emphasised how her year abroad will be affected by Brexit. She regards the effects of Brexit as solely negative, having to apply for visas to be able to continue her French studies.
It’s not only British students that struggle with the difficulties that came with Brexit. Many international students from EU-countries experience difficulties getting a visa for the UK, and potentially miss out on scholarships from their own countries that are limited to an education within the EU.
Economic changes are, as experts point out, hard to analyse monolithically. Fewer trade regulations have given the British market more freedom, which has shown itself in the formation of new trading partnerships, such as with Australia and New Zealand. However, the positive effects of these new deals are rather insignificant compared to the negative economic impact of Brexit overall. Looking at these tiny positive impacts, it’s hard not to wonder: what would have happened to the UK economy if Brexit hadn’t happened?
One English student remembers being promised by Brexiteers ten years ago that after Brexit, the money that had previously gone to the EU would instead be used to fund and improve the NHS. 10 years later, she is not convinced that the situation has significantly improved, having herself experienced long waiting lists and the prevailing lack of resources that continues to ail the NHS.
Experts of global security frame the importance of a return to the EU not just as an advantage, but a necessity for the defence of the UK. In the last 10 years, the global political situation has changed significantly, with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a growing Chinese authority, and an American government that cannot be seen as a reliable ally to the UK anymore.
One student I spoke to explained how she would feel safer if the UK rejoined the EU; being a member does not just mean working with “geographical Europe” but gaining access to more support. The EU is seen as a community offering more safety during this current time of insecurity and political aggression. In fact, every student I spoke to is in favour of rejoining the EU.
However, it was emphasised that the return should not be rushed and should come with conditions. One student pointed out how a return would be socially and politically efficient, but in terms of economics, they would hope for the UK to be able to preserve sovereignty and a certain amount of autonomy.
The relationship I found between students and Brexit was exceptionally interesting. Every student I talked to was too young to vote in the referendum in 2016, but is now experiencing the process of understanding and learning the context surrounding the debate they could only partially grasp 10 years ago.
Photo by ALEXANDRE LALLEMAND on Unsplash.
