Brexit – 1 Year To Go

Brexit – One Year To Go: My series on BBC ALBA

(In Gaelic with English subtitles)

 

 

Part 1: Voices for Brexit

• Fishermen want control of UK waters
• Others argue Brexit it will bring new trade opportunities and increase productivity
• Brexiters want to reduce immigration,
• Don’t believe civil service’s numbers indicating that UK will be worse off under any scenario
• Some in agriculture see an opportunity to change the subsidy so it benefits those who actually work the land

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Part 2: Voices against Brexit

• Claims it will cost the UK £2bn a week, Leave campaign spread lies
• Rural areas have benefitted especially from EU funding, doubts whether this will be a priority for the UK government
• Has alienated EU citizens residing in the UK
• Will badly affect research institutions as EU funding ceases and freedom of movement may mean fewer foreign researchers want to settle in the UK
• The EU has brought peace and prosperity to the UK
• May mean unrest brakes out again in Northern Ireland

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Part 3: Voices for and against Scottish independence

• Claims Scotland is now weaker than any other part of Britain economically
• Scottish Brexit minister confirms that when the terms of Brexit become clear Scots should have a choice whether they want to continue in the UK
• Surprising analogies with Brexit. Both are either said to bring opportunities or uncertainty depending on point of view
• Some have changed their mind on independence after the Brexit vote

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Part 4: Was the BBC biased in its referendum reports?

• Equal time is allocated to either side in BBC’s referendum reports. But can the Bank of England’s view be balanced by that of a small think-tank?
• Reality Check provides analysis, but uncertainty remains over whether the UK will be better or worse off in ten year’s time says BBC Scotland’s Political Editor
• Media expert says Vote Leave admitted the most successful slogan of the referendum (“We send the EU £350m a week: let’s fund our NHS instead”) stated an “amalgamation” of a figure

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Part 5: Brexit, Trump and AfD (right-wing party in Germany)

• Some sense an anti EU feeling by some Brexiteers, see similarities to AfD policies blaming incomers for issues
• Others believe Britain has moved to the left after the Brexit referendum
• Donald Trump has also curbed immigration, supporters claim this is to protect their culture
• Others say these policies work as long as those proclaiming them don’t come too close