WHAT’S ON BREXIT TODAY? : An update on the status of Brexit and what AEC can learn from it

The longer it takes for the Brexit issue to be resolved, the more it may cast aspersions on the unity of some other aggrupations around the world.  Hopefully, the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) is not one of them.  How did Brexit develop as a negative issue, in the first place, in the UK’s relationship with the 28 member countries of the European Community? Let’s refresh our understanding of Brexit.

British exit or Brexit started after the announcement of a referendum in 2016 on whether or not Britain will remain in the European Union (EU). Given the circumstances involving economic and immigration issues, the people’s vote wanting Britain out of the EU won. After its withdrawal deal was rejected by the UK MPs and its exit extended three times, UK only has until May 22 to have the deal ratified or else the UK will exit without a deal.

SO WHAT NOW? Theresa May, Britain’s Prime Minister, is setting up cross-party negotiations with the Conservative and Labour parties to break the deadlock over her deal.

Labour wants May to get closer to the opposition party’s demands for a customs union and alignment with environmental and workers’ rights before backing up the Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB). However, there are no signs that May will change her position anytime soon.

With the WAB not yet being accepted because compromises with the opposition are not being met, a delay is not farfetched since the bill needs to be passed before Brexit can happen.

ASEAN UNITY

A scenario such as Brexit can happen to other unions of nations given the different needs and capabilities of each. The situation can be prevented however, through efforts to instill stronger understanding among nations in the ASEAN. 

In 2015, the members of the ASEAN launched the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) which aimed to create a highly integrated and cohesive economy and to further strengthen regional cooperation. 

What can ASEAN do to prevent a Brexit-like vote from happening in the AEC?

It is important to understand that people voted for Brexit because of the people’s sentiments on immigration, economics, and trade.  It became a matter of new nationalism in Britain, with the people seemingly reversing the very essence of what globalization means to a nation. 

For AEC to succeed, it should learn from the Brexit vote—listen to the people. 

Growth should be shared within ASEAN through a truly inclusive single market. This inclusivity should not only benefit the elites, but must be extended to all sectors of society.   People should understand what ASEAN is and how they would benefit from it—awareness is not enough, people should act – knowing what their nation is getting themselves into.

To fully integrate all nations, each nation should address the racial discrimination and inequalities within their territories in order to prepare for the influx of people  from other countries. Issues such as these must be settled in order to avoid disparities among nations.  We must be aware of the various cultural, religious and political differences not only between ASEAN member states but also within the populace of each country.

Lastly, the AEC must be mindful of economic disparities within the region. The governments of each nation should work with its people and business communities to take advantage of the opportunities within the AEC so that no nation would be left out and feel like they did not get the most out of the integration.