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With Brexit frequently making headlines, let’s find out what it is and what its implications are. Brexit (British + exit) is the term used to refer to the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union (EU), a group of 27 countries forming a single market zone. The EU countries trade with each other and also allow their citizens to move freely between the countries to live and work. The U.K. had been part of the EU, then called European Economic Community, since 1973. Britain formally left the EU in early 2020, and was in a 11 month transition period, during which the EU laws apply, to give citizens and businesses time to adapt.

    The Background:

    The 2008 recession was one of the factors responsible for Britain wanting to leave the EU. As the EU economies struggled with the global economic downturn, Britain found the EU’s regulatory nature very stifling, and its liberal rules governing internal migration endangering its interests. Britain never adopted the euro, the single currency of most EU nations, so as maintain its economic independence. With the Eurozone crisis deepening over the years there was increasing pressure on Britain to get out of the EU. Hence David Cameron, the then U.K. PM called a referendum (a public vote) in June 2016 to decide if the country should remain or leave the EU. The leave side won by 52% which translated to 17.4 million votes. The exit was due to take place on March 29, 2019, but got delayed due to negotiations between the U.K. and the EU member countries. The negotiations were about the withdrawal agreement, which covered key issues such as how much the U.K. will have to pay the EU to break its partnership, and how Brexit will impact the U.K. citizens living elsewhere in the EU and those of EU living in Britain, and a transition period to agree upon a trade deal. The Brexit withdrawal agreement was drafted in November 2018, but failed to get the MPs’ backing thrice, following which Theresa May, the then U.K. PM, stepped down in July 2019. Her successor the present PM and Brexit hardliner Boris Johnson, had the draft withdrawal agreement revised in October which was subsequently signed by the U.K and the EU in December 2019. After several delays, Brexit finally happened on January 31, 2020.

    Now the U.K. has crossed the transition phase that ended on December 31, 2020. During that period UK continued to follow the EU rules, which included free movement of its citizens across EU nations.  The transition period is intended to allow the two entities to agree upon the future of their new relationship. If a new free trade deal is not agreed upon by the deadline, the U.K. will have to exit the transition without one. In the absence of the deal, businesses will have to pay taxes and tariffs, which could result in things getting more expensive in Britain. There could be delays on transport of goods and medicines on account of more border checks, as Britain will no longer be under the EU umbrella. Till now, no breakthrough has been reached by the negotiating teams led by EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier and British counterpart David Frost. Both sides signalled their inability to agree on a level playing field, governance and fisheries. Meanwhile, Britain has repeatedly ruled out any extension to negotiations into the next year.

    By the way the population of the EU with 27 member states now stands at almost 448 million (44 crores), whereas the UK’s population is 66 million (6 crores). Before the referendum, the U.K. was the second –biggest EU country in terms of economic output, and the third-largest by population after Germany and France.

What Changes after January 1, 2021?

    Whether there is a deal in place or not, the way people live and work will change. People will no longer be able to move freely between the U.K. and the EU. The U.K. will apply a points based immigration system to EU citizens. The U.K. will no longer have to make huge annual payments towards the EU budget.

By Kamlesh Tripathi

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https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases especially cancer. Our posts are meant for our readers that includes both children and adults and it has a huge variety in terms of content. We also accept donations for our mission. Should you wish to donate for the cause. The bank details are given below:

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Our Publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

(The book is about a young cancer patient. Now archived in 8 prestigious libraries of the US that includes Harvard College Library; Harvard University Library; Library of Congress; University of Washington, Seattle; University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Yale University, New Haven; University of Chicago; University of North Carolina, at Chapel Hill University Libraries. It can also be accessed in MIT through Worldcat.org. Besides, it is also available for reading in libraries and archives of Canada, Cancer Aid and Research Foundation Mumbai; Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida; India. Shoolini University, Yogananda Knowledge Center, Himachal Pradesh and Azim Premzi University, Bangalore).  

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

(Is a book on ‘singlehood’ about a Delhi girl now archived in Connemara Library, Chennai and Delhi Public Library, GOI, Ministry of Culture, Delhi; Available for reading in Indian National Bibliography, March 2016, in the literature section, in Central Reference Library, Ministry of Culture, India, Belvedere, Kolkata-700022)

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

(Is a fiction written around the great city of Nawabs—Lucknow. It describes Lucknow in great detail and also talks about its Hindu-Muslim amity. That happens to be the undying characteristics of Lucknow. The book was launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival of 2014. It is included for reading in Askews and Holts Library Services, Lancashire, U.K; Herrick District Library, Holland and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library, Mecklenburg County in North Carolina, USA).

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(Co-published by Cankids–Kidscan, a pan India NGO and Shravan Charity Mission, that works for Child cancer in India. The book is endorsed by Ms Preetha Reddy, MD Apollo Hospitals Group. It was launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival 2016)

TYPICAL TALE OF AN INDIAN SALESMAN

(Is a story of an Indian salesman who is, humbly qualified. Yet he fights his ways through unceasing uncertainties to reach the top. A good read not only for salesmen. The book was launched on 10^th February, 2018 in Gorakhpur Lit-Fest. Now available in Amazon, Flipkart and Onlinegatha)

RHYTHM … in poems

(Published in January 2019. The book contains 50 poems. The poems describe our day to day life. The book is available in Amazon, Flipkart and Onlinegatha)

MIRAGE

(Published in February 2020. The book is a collection of eight short stories available in Amazon, Flipkart and Notion Press)

Short stories and Articles published in Bhavan’s Journal: Reality and Perception, 15.10.19; Sending the Wrong Message, 31.5.20; Eagle versus Scholars June, 15 & 20 2020; Indica, 15.8.20; The Story of King Chitraketu, August 31 2020; Breaking Through the Chakravyuh, September 30 2020. The Questioning Spouse, October 31, 2020; Happy Days, November 15, 2020; The Karma Cycle of Paddy and Wheat, December 15,2020; Power Vs Influence, January 31, 2021; Three Refugees, March 15, 2021; Rise and Fall of Ajatashatru, March 31, 2021; Reformed Ruler, May 15, 2021; A Lasting Name, May 31, 2021; Are Animals Better Teachers?, June 16, 2021;

(ALL THE ABOVE TITLES ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN AMAZON, FLIPKART AND OTHER ONLINE STORES OR YOU COULD EVEN WRITE TO US FOR A COPY)

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