The Ongoing Border Concerns in Brexit: Why Were They Ignored During the Referendum?
Recent concerns about the borders in Northern Ireland and Gibraltar have sparked debate, suggesting that these issues were somehow overlooked during the 2016 Brexit referendum. However, a closer look reveals that these concerns were, in fact, well-regarded and discussed before the referendum took place.
Why Were Border Issues Ignored?
A better question would be, “Why were the border issues ignored during the referendum?” Someone consciously chose to omit these inconvenient facts, paving the way for a smoother storyline.
The Role of Omissions and Fabrications
The right-wing media largely played a pivotal role in dismissing border concerns. When these issues did make it to television, instant labels like 'Project Fear' were used to neutralize the discussion.
For example, Tony Blair and John Major, prominent British political figures, predicted that the Irish border would close as a result of Brexit. However, such points were often overshadowed by the broader campaign narratives that prioritized other issues.
The Real Reason Behind Border Concerns
The recent worry about the border issue is not sudden; it has been a known concern. Despite the predictability of these challenges, the English Tory party, despite their unionist stance, showed little interest in addressing them. This pointed to their willingness to focus on short-term gains rather than long-term stability.
An Example from Theresa May's Election Strategy
Theresa May’s electoral ambitions played a significant role in delaying any meaningful discussions on the border. Following her electoral setback, she needed the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) for support, hence, she had to assume a more accommodating stance on Ireland's border issues.
Challenging Misinformation
There have been attempts to discredit the growing concern over border issues by claiming they were fully debated during the referendum. However, this is not accurate. The issue of borders was indeed brought up throughout the referendum campaign, but it was often marginalized and dismissed with the promise of ‘we have two years to figure that out’.
One such example is the interview with Ms. Villiers. From an interview with the Financial Times, she dismissed border checks claims as irresponsible and a scaremongering tactic. Ms. Villiers voiced: “It is the clear position of the Leave campaign that we would not reintroduce border checks.” This certainly helped in diverting attention from the critical need for border negotiations.
Concluding Thoughts
The border issues in Brexit are far from sudden, and they were, in fact, well-regarded and discussed. The recent rise in concern arises from the reality that the promised two years have come to an end, and no concrete solutions have been implemented. The dismissal of these issues during the referendum period underscores the importance of addressing them now, as the time for easy solutions is almost expired.