Thomas Freer on The EU after Brexit
Thomas Freer
The EU after Brexit
Claims and stances
Transcript
- 0:01 So when the UK voted to leave the EU in 2016, many thought it might trigger a domino effect and that other countries would follow.
- 0:11 And at the time, the Brexit symbolized frustration with too much bureaucracy, the bad immigration policy, and the feeling that their national identity was being lost in this globalized system being the EU.
- 0:26 But it's been almost 10 years now.
- 0:29 The EU has not collapsed.
- 0:31 In fact, Brexit forced the EU to reflect and change some of their ways, and many argue that it has strengthened them.
- 0:40 Rather than falling apart, the EU has shown more internal unity on major issues like defense, climate change, digital regulation.
- 0:51 And one major shift has been solidarity.
- 0:55 So without the UK, which often acted as a skeptic within the group, the remaining members have moved closer together on certain policies that affect them today.
- 1:07 So the EU responded collectively to the COVID-19 pandemic with a shared recovery fund, something that would have been nearly impossible before.
- 1:17 It also took an unusually unified stance on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, showing a sense of geopolitical purpose that many thought Europe lacked.
- 1:28 But there obviously have still been challenges.
- 1:37 Populists and nationalist movements in countries like Hungary or Italy or even Poland still question the EU's authority.
- 1:46 And the question of enlargement, uh, if they're willing to admit more countries like Ukraine or countries in the Balkans could redefine what Europe even means.
- 1:58 And in many ways, Brexit served as a wake-up call.
- 2:02 It reminded Europeans that the union isn't guaranteed.
- 2:06 It's a political project that has to earn its legitimacy through actual results.
- 2:12 So instead of breaking the EU, Brexit might have honestly helped it mature, shifting it from a purely economic union into a more politically conscious one.
- 2:24 And the EU after Brexit is smaller, but it's more self aware.
- 2:28 And it's learning that unity and diversity isn't just their slogan.
- 2:34 It's a daily balancing act between solidarity and their own sovereignty.