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Thursday 28th March 2024

Brexit means…what, really?

Brexit

‘Brexit means Brexit’ doesn’t really mean anything that I can make sense of.

Like many, my heart sank on hearing the result of the EU referendum. For losing our union membership and all the ties with our European neighbours, for what it might mean for people from Europe who have made the UK their home and vice versa, for the hate crimes that resulted on members of the Eastern European community, and for the fact that some people voted ‘leave’ because they ‘didn’t want the euro currency’ or ‘didn’t want any more Muslims coming over here.’ Never in my lifetime have I seen such a misinformed electorate having a referendum vote!

Now, I’m putting the grieving to one side and looking to the future. I still feel worried about the impact that Brexit is going to have and (aside from applying for my Irish passport*, thanks Granny!) wonder if there is anything that is advisable for Joe Public to do to prepare for a hard/soft/poached/burnt Brexit?

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Never in my lifetime have I seen such a misinformed electorate having a referendum vote!

As the pound plummeted since the referendum (and weddings in Europe became a whole lot more expensive), does that mean it is likely to continue after Article 50 is invoked?  What affect will it have on our food prices at the supermarket now that the subsidies will no longer apply to farmers and is it worth getting an allotment?

I am also very concerned that medical research trials will not be as plentiful for people I know with illnesses, such as cancer and Parkinson’s, as so much of that funding is reliant on the EU. Not sure where that funding will come from now?! I am highly doubtful the NHS will get £350million extra a week, as the Leave campaign promised, though I wish with all my heart that it were true. I know the MPs are going to be debating it once Article 50 is invoked but wish I knew if there was anything we, Joe Public, could do in the meantime to ensure our health service and the drugs trials to find cures for diseases are not compromised.

I am highly doubtful the NHS will get £350million extra a week, as the Leave campaign promised, though I wish with all my heart that it were true.

I am also worried about higher education. I am fortunate enough to have graduated (quite some time ago, ahem!), but, again, I know a lot of university research is EU funded. I don’t know how this will affect people from the UK who want to study at university in the future and wonder if they should be looking to study abroad, instead…?

I know some people speculated that house prices would crash in the UK, but all that seems to have happened since, is that buyers and sellers are holding off doing anything until they know what Brexit means. I don’t know if this is a good or bad thing for people unable to get on the property ladder, such as myself. Is now the best time to buy, sell, rent or emigrate?

*I want to still be European. I want to be able to live and work in Europe if I want to.

Nadia Nadif

Mouthy blogger

Nadia works as an actress. She also teaches acting and storytelling to adults at City Academy and is an associate for National Youth Theatre, directing young people and leading inclusivity training.

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