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8 may 2016 news the stentorian I ncssm United Kingdom to hold referendum on exit from European Union BY Margaux Winter Staff Writer On June 23, Britain will hold a referendum to decide whether or not it will leave the European Union (EU). To better understand the push for this exit, it is best to take a close look at Britain’s histwy with its nearby Euro pean neighbors. As an island nation, Britain has always leaned toward iso lationism. For centuries, Brit ain has “lived in splendid iso lation, protected by the Navy and the Empire,” the historian Vernon Bogdanor said. From an intense rivalry with Spain during the Eliza bethan Age, to the nation’s solitary stand against Nazi Germany in 1940-1944, the United Kingdom (UK) views itself as its own best ally. In more recent years, the severity of this foreign policy has diminished, but a national wariness of outside countries has remained. This being said, as a mem ber of the EU, Britain has al ways been uncomfortable with handing off so much power to Brussels, the de facto capital of the EU, which holds the official seats of the European Commission, Council of the European Union, and Euro pean Council, as well as one of the seats of the European Parliament. The EU officially formed in 1945, after World War II. Sim ilar to the formation of other post-war pacts and organiza tions, the EU was formed with the intention of preventing, and/or mitigating fiiture wars and international conflicts by creating an insular community of nations who depended upon and trusted each other. At the time, Winston Churchill supported the idea, and even advocated for a “United States of Europe,” hoping for a consolidated force that would counter the USSR in the upcoming Cold War. Despite these declarations, Britain declined to join the European Coal and Steel Com munity in 1951 and to sign the Treaty of Rome in 1957, which established the European Eco nomic Community (EEC) to integrate the economies of Eu rope. Even years afterwards, leaders of various European countries publicly voiced their disdain of the UK’s decision, including French President Charles de Gaulle who went on record to say that this action proves Britain has a “deep- seated hostility” towards Euro pean construction. As one of the superpowers in the EU, the seemingly small acts of defiance were viewed as clear signs of mistrust. Over the years, Britain’s relationship with the Union became a con tinual point of contention. At the same time, the UK’s clear importance in terms of national power has often pre vented much outspoken dis dain for the UK’s behavior. Currently, the movement to leave the EU is led by Michael Gove, the Justice minister, and Boris Johnson, the former mayor of London. These leaders are backed by half of the Conservative mem bers of Parliament, as well as the Independence party. These advocates’ main issues include sovereignty, immigration, and the ever-disputed Schengen border. The Schengen Agreement has abolished many of the EU’s internal borders, in fa vor of passport-free movement across the bloc. Although some members of Parliament and the EU believe that this makes travel easier, and creates a more unified Europe, others have blamed immigration and recent terrorism attacks on this agreement, namely citing a UK Justice Minister Michael Gove speaks in favor of a Brexit. lack of internal security. In 1975, this same referen dum was held, with over 67 percent of Britons voting in favor of staying with the EU. Since the time of Marga ret Thatcher, a vocal minor ity against the EU has been growing. Now, the separation- ists are backed by half of the Conservative Party and the In dependence Party, a party that was built on a dislike for the EU. If Britain does leave the EU, it is likely that the vote will be final. Obviously, the results of this referendum could have potentially major impacts on legislation passed in Britain, but what about the rest of the world? First, a British exit from the EU (commonly known as Brexit) wduld clit ecbriorfiic growth, weaken the pound, and hurt the City of London, Britain’s financial center in the short term. These impacts to Britain’s economy could have unfore seen effects on the world’s economy and the economies of the nations with which Britain frequently trades. In regards to America, Pres ident Obama has stated that Brexit is a decision “of deep interest to the United States.” He has urged British voters to stay in the EU, due to its eco nomic growth, and “far more effective” counter-terrorism efforts. Others fear that without Britain, the EU would start to unravel, weakening EU na tions and their allies, including the US. Britain is America’s primary transatlantic military ally and its role is strategically important to the US. Many polls do not show a clear victory for either side, as a Financial Times poll tracker indicates support for remain ing with the EU averages 44 percent against 42 percent for leaving and 14 percent unde cided. At this point, the vote could go either way. If Britain does leave the EU, short-term effects would be drastic, but many are hopeful it would be beneficial in the long run. If Britain stays, it is likely that Parliament would soon push for more power within the Union. The Stentorian Staff would like to thank our advisor Mr. Kirk for his constant guidance and dedication to student work. If you would like to write for the Stentorian next year, be on the lookout for updates coming in August of 2017. Congratulations to the Stentorian Editors-in-Chief for 2016-17- Avra Janz, Amruth Sriperumbudur, Margaux Winter, and Claire Yin The Stentorian The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics 1219 Broad Street, Durham, NC 27705 stentorian 123(fl)gmail.com Editors-in-Chief: AJ Goren, Max Schlenker, Cheryl Wang News Editor: Joe Wiswell Features Editor: Chase Roycroft Opinion Editor: Brinda Sarathy Sports Editors: Jordan Greenert, Andy Hoang, Gabriella Williams Photography Editor: Sophia Chizhikova • Advisor: John Kirk Staff Writers: Avra Janz, Amruth Sriperumbudur, Margaux Winter
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