I am writing this article on Monday, 19th June, on the day when Britain is officially starting the ‘Brexit negotiations’. It is a huge task for the UK government as well as the European Union. No-one has ever left the EU hence next two years will on both sides test patience, political credibility, ability to listen to each other in most difficult circumstances.
It won’t be an exaggeration when I say that the last couple of months have been turbulent for Great Britain. Three terrible terrorist attacks, tragic Tower Block fire and various local and national elections. A lot has happened in a short period of time. All these events have hugely affected many people living on this beautiful island.
The most recent elections in the UK were called by Theresa May who wanted to increase her Parliament majority, strengthen her position as a Leader of the Conservative Party and expose the weakness of the Labour Party.
The country, which is starting the process of leaving the European Union, once again had to vote. On the day, when the election was called, one of the journalists interviewed a lady (who as a result became quite famous) who simply said: ‘Again? You must be joking me’. Her experience in many ways reflected the ‘democratic mood’ across the country. People still remembered General Elections (GE) 2015) and EU Referendum, which hugely divided the whole nation. June 2017 elections were no different. 7 intensive weeks created another opportunity to talk about issues which affect us all: health, education, public cuts, or our relationship with Europe.
It was a ‘Brexit Elections’ however there was no further clarity on how the process should look like or what should be UK’s position. Do we stay in the Single Market or not? Do we accept the freedom of movement of people, goods and services? What should happen with many EU citizens living in the UK and Britain expats living in other European countries? What about Scottish independence or border between Norther and Southern Ireland…?
My family has also found itself in a very strange situation. The government hasn’t yet guaranteed and secured the rights of the EU nationals in the UK who migrated to Britain before the referendum. Will we still be seen as a burden? Will I and many others continue being seen as ‘scapegoats’? Why is it that we are no longer able to have a mature and balanced debate on issues which somehow must be resolved? Even though I couldn’t vote, I have tried to be part of the process, challenge at times negative and unfounded assumptions.
Although, it is almost exactly 12 months since the Referendum, there are still many more questions marks and the situation regarding Britain’s and Europe’s future is still very unclear. The rise of populism, crisis of the European identity, globalization, immigration, open borders, social integration of minority groups and finally pace of change in many ways ‘dictated’ the election agenda.
The election result was quite surprising. The Conservative Party ran poor campaign. Some of their legislative proposals were widely criticised. People felt let down and taken for granted. Many expected landslide victory of the Conservative Party however despite the fact that Theresa May has won, her actual position has significantly weakened. She had to sign an informal agreement with DUP (Democratic Unionist Party) to keep a small majority. The current political situation is unstable and it looks like the position of the Prime Minister is untenable. The most recent terrible fire of a 24-storey Tower Block put so much extra pressure on the British government. Many casualties, still dozens of people missing who may never be found.
Is there a ray of light and some sort of hope in all of this? We, of Movement for politics&politcy for unity, which exists to build unity, must continue to create a space for dialogue. The day after the London Fire, local Community Centre of my town set up a room where Christian and Muslims prayed together. People of all faith came together to support those who lost everything. Local firms and companies were donating food, clothes and there was a sense of extraordinary unity in most difficult circumstances.
This weekend (16-18th June), many people across the country came together to mark the ‘Great Together Campaign’ which was set up in memory of Jo Cox, Labour Member of Parliament who was killed last year. Local communities were invited to get together with their neighbours to share food and celebrate all that we hold in common. There were more than 100,000 events organized across the UK e.g. street party, shared barbecue or a picnic. What mattered was that people had fun and opportunity to bring communities closer together.
I have recently attended a meeting in the Netherlands about how to build bridges around Europe. It was so refreshing and uplifting to see many people who believe in united world. It was a really important experience for me which once more demonstrated that we have a huge responsibility to bring unity where there is disunity or bring love and understanding where there is hate and divisions. Maybe because we are in difficult, uncertain and turbulent times, we should, more than ever, entrust ourselves in God and ask him to guide us. We also need to become, wherever we are and whatever we do, ‘Champions and Ambassadors’ for Unity. Let’s continue building bridges, let’s not be afraid, let’s take the risk and use every opportunity and each person we encounter to show that there is so much more than unites us than divides us.
