In the early hours of June 24, just after the result of the referendum had been announced, I stepped out on to Lambeth Bridge. The sun was just rising over the city into a clear blue sky. I can still remember, as I basked in its early warmth, just how optimistic I felt. I allowed myself a smile as I thought how bright Britain’s future looked. Free at last after all those decades from the bureaucratic tyranny of the EU, I had no doubts that the UK would thrive.
Sadly what instead followed was the aggressive and utterly negative attitude of some who voted Remain. Project Fear has continued relentlessly to describe its dystopian view of a post-Brexit UK. The Bank of England has yet again been carrying the torch for the “gloomsters”. That we now have a Government striking such an optimistic tone about our future and the opportunities of Brexit only made
Mark Carney’s downbeat demeanour seem all the more remarkable.
I am intrigued that despite the number of time our institutions have got their forecasts wrong (including, how they missed the banking crash in 2018) these fearful predictions just keep coming.
As with them all, the Bank’s record doesn’t bear much scrutiny; for example in August 2016 they forecast that UK exports would fall by 0.5 per cent in 2017, yet they increased by nearly 8 per cent. Business investment was forecast to be down 2 per cent, whereas it was up approximately 2 per cent. Housing investment in 2017 they said would be down 4.75 per cent when it went up 5 per cent.
The sad truth is that after 40 years of membership the EU has eaten into the soul of so much of the establishment, from the Trade Unions to the BBC. Just reflect on how many people, who were once believers in democracy, are now determined to disregard the biggest vote in our history. For the establishment not a day goes by but that those who voted to leave are to be sneered at and disparaged as too stupid, too poor, too old and too ignorant to understand what they voted for.
Yet despite this, I, and many like me, remain positive about the future. I am not alone as seeing this moment in a
similar light to the Reformation.
That first break with Rome was the making of this country. Freed from the shackles of what had become a corrupt organisation, the concept of our island nation emerged, supreme and self-governing. From that moment, our buccaneering global nature was given free rein with astonishing results as the UK grew to influence the rest of the world. On everything from free trade to parliamentary democracy and the rule of law, Britain was truly a nation that led the globe.
I believe Brexit is about us breaking from Rome again. It will become a release in a similar way and if the government believes in the incredible capacity of the British people, exemplified by their supreme entrepreneurial spirit, and sets our regulations and trade policy accordingly, the opportunities will be enormous.
Just look at how well placed we are to make the most of these opportunities. The UK came second in CEOWORLD’s Most Start-up Friendly Countries in the World Survey for 2019, the only European country in the top five. We topped Forbes’ 2018 list of countries to do business in and the Heritage Foundation’s Index of Economic Freedom’ said: “The UK has one of the world’s most efficient business and investment environments and will soon be open to expanded global trade relationships.”
My only nagging worry is that too many of those in their twenties and thirties have bought in to the idea that leaving the EU is about retreating into a form of isolation. This should be no surprise given that that they have been educated by so many people who subscribe to the idea that “little Britain” must cleave to the EU as the only guarantor of internationalism, cross border research and moderation.
Yet ironically, this is also the generation that, when asked, display a belief in self-reliance and a strong determination to strike out as entrepreneurs. These are the very values which will benefit them most in a free trading global Britain of the future.
That is why
we have to leave the EU by October 31 this year. The biggest threat we face is not Brexit but the festering indecision which has left our society at odds with each other and our businesses unsure. By doing this we can ignite the talents and skills of a brilliant generation, to rediscover how Britain’s real place in the world is outward looking, freedom loving and an advocate for free trade, a powerful force that bring enormous benefits for everybody involved.
It is time to lift our heads up and focus on the opportunities our freedom will bring.
Iain Duncan Smith is Conservative MP for Chingford and Wood Green
