Rural Economy in Kent and the Impact of Brexit: A Student's Perspective Christian Turner
On Friday 28th April, the Centre for European Studies (CEFEUS) in partnership with Rural Kent PLC hosted a seminar on ‘Making Brexit a success in Kent’s rural economy’. The event was well attended by business holders from across the industry, with MEP for South-East England, Richard Ashworth giving the key note address.
After a brief summary by Professor Mark Hammond, and Dr. Amelia Hadfield’s report on ‘Kent and Medway: Making Brexit a Success for Rural Economy’ (see the related blog on this site), Mr Ashworth then gave a detailed speech on the complexities of the Brexit negotiations. He pointed out the European Union’s negotiating stance, including the two phase structure, exploring the problems that will arise during the negotiations. In particular, issues over trade, Ireland, Britain’s leaving fees from the EU, and Freedom of Movement were all covered at length. He also expressed personal dismay at the British media coverage of the negotiations, feeling that it was less than honest or simply unrealistic.
Regarding Ireland, Mr Ashworth pointed out that there were only three viable options: remaining in the Customs Union, re-instating the hard border, or considering the political reunification between the Republic of Ireland, and Northern Ireland. With Prime Minister Theresa May having previously denied the first two options, he suggested that the reunification of Ireland was the only option left.
On trade, Mr Ashworth made clear that by refusing to allow Britain to be subject to both the Freedom of Movement (one of the Four Freedoms, alongside goods, services and capital), and the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice, it was now impossible to gain access to the European Single Market in a way similar to that of Norway or Switzerland. He expressed disapproval of the option not to negotiate some sort of trade deal with the EU, pointing out that adopting a structure based on the World Trade Organisation’s guidelines would have a negative effect on the British economy.
Questions were invited from the audience, which featured media-covered topics such as Gibraltar and the difference in options shared by members of the Conservative Party over Brexit, whilst also featuring questions on the more local effect on Kent, in particular should the United Kingdom lose access to the single market.
It is clear that the differences in opinion regarding the Brexit negotiations will leave a substantial proportion of the British public disappointed once they conclude. In particular, businesses such as rural farms in Kent will be afraid of losing access to lucrative markets across the continent, and Mr Ashworth’s speech will have laid out in honest, if stark, words the challenges the UK now faces in leaving the European Union.