The Bank of England raised base rate today to 4%. The Bank stated that "The effects of Brexit on trade are now estimated to be emerging more quickly than previously assumed, and that lowers productivity somewhat." The principal problem of the UK economy is low growth, caused in turn by low productivity. Brexit = economic harm.
While the Bank acknowledges the damage wrought by Brexit, you will not hear anybody from the governing Conservative Party acknowledge this. It is an article of Conservative faith that Brexit is a wonderful thing and has not a single negative consequence. The damage, of course, is far more than economic. Our ability to visit our European neighbours, for British musicians, dancers and actors to perform in the EU and vice versa, student exchanges, academic and research collaboration, and many other such activities, have all be irreparably harmed by Brexit.
One little detail must have escaped the vigilant anti-Europeanism of our Brexit ideologues, however. My Parish Council included in this month's Parish Magazine a leaflet encouraging local people to stand for election to the Parish Council. The leaflet notes that to be eligible to stand you must be: "A UK or Commonwealth citizen; or be a citizen of the Republic of Ireland; or be a citizen of another Member State of the European Union." You must also be at least 18years old and to meet certain residence requirements.
I will not regain the rights of which I have been deprived by Brexit before I depart this earth and my friends and family, but at least I might be governed at the local level by fellow Europeans.
PS: A well-informed friend tells me that: "The standing and voting in local elections was part of the agreement with the EU to protect EU citizens. Whether we have reciprocal rights depends on the member stae as rules for third party countries are set nationally."
