While respecting the decision of the British voters (by a small majority) to leave the EU resulting from the referendum, the European Green Party continues to regret it. We believe that this decision will have profound negative consequences on the populations of England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and Gibraltar, including the potential impacts and negative consequences of an EU/non-EU border in the latter two cases.
The EGP notes the poor quality of debate during the European referendum campaign and the consequent chaotic nature of the UK government’s negotiating strategy with the EU. The lack of leadership and the astonishing failures in terms of lack of information and transparency, towards both its own population and its partners in the EU is deeply disappointing. The continuing refusal to make public the content of detailed studies into the impact of Brexit is also a cause for concern.
The EGP deplores the UK government’s refusal to unequivocally guarantee meaningful protection from the outset for EU citizens in the UK, as well as for UK citizens in the EU. We condemn the use of these citizens as bargaining chips in the negotiations.
The growing climate of mistrust, division and xenophobia in the UK is also deeply concerning and there must be far greater action on the part of the UK government to condemn hate crime and tackle all forms of racism, whether from politicians, the press or individuals.
The EGP calls on the UK government to take action to protect communities made vulnerable by the vote, acknowledging that the vote has impacted both EU and non-EU citizens, and to celebrate the contributions they have made to the UK.
The EGP supports the position that there now needs to be a public vote on the terms of the UK leaving the EU through a ratification referendum. At the end of the negotiations and before the UK withdrawal from the EU become legally effective, the UK citizens must be able to democratically make a choice between the proposed deal or continued membership of the EU.
The EGP calls on the UK government to guarantee a ratification referendum – a first referendum on the terms of Brexit. This will give the people of the UK more, not less, democracy and must be carried out in an environment that is open, honest and transparent.
