Although Brexit- the removal of Great Britain from the European Union- has been a hot topic of conversation for a while now, it officially happened on Jan. 31 of 2020. The decision was made when lawmakers in London and Brussels officially approved Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s plans for Brexit. Croatian European Union Ambassador Irena Andrassy told Britain’s European Union Ambassador Sir Tim Barrow, “Thank you, goodbye, and good riddance.” Ambassador Andrassy insists it was in jest and Ambassador Barrow took it lightly. The two countries are old friends and there was a mutual understanding that the statement was a joke though each country understands that these words will go down in history as the parting words between the European Union and Great Britain upon its leave.
Though Brexit has officially happened, Great Britain won’t be free from the EU completely until December of this year. Details about trade still have to be settled between the European Union and Great Britain in order for the leave to work. There are many conflicting views on Brexit as many people believe that this will cause great economic disaster for Great Britain. These people have been asking Chancellor Sajid Javid what his plans for the United Kingdom are now that Great Britain has left the European Union. He says the action of leaving the EU will result in economic prosperity, even going so far as to say the economy can grow up to 2.7% a year. The Bank of England and economists oppose this, saying it can only grow 1.5% a year at best.
Great article! I've been fascinated with the trade situation between a non-member Britain and the EU. I would think that the loss of the open-border policy would be a bad thing for trade, as well as give businesses less of an incentive to have EU offices in Britain - it would become harder to get around in general. It seems like it will come down to the finer terms of the agreement that will solidify the relationship between Britain and the EU.
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