University Brexit Speech: Preventing the Disaster of Brexit

This report presents a student's persuasive speech against Brexit, addressing a hypothetical audience of British leaders. The speech argues that leaving the European Union would be disastrous for the UK, highlighting potential economic consequences. It begins by framing the historical benefits of the UK's relationship with the EU and warns of a decline in per capita income. The speech then delves into specific negative impacts, including job losses in manufacturing and nursing due to disrupted trade agreements, loss of investment, and labor shortages from reduced immigration. The author supports these claims with references to academic research and government analysis, urging the audience to reconsider the decision to leave the EU and avoid a series of disasters that could be prevented.

Running head: ON PREVENTING THE DISASTER OF BREXIT
On Preventing the Disaster of Brexit
Name of Student:
Name of University:
Author Note:

1ON PREVENTING THE DISASTER OF BREXIT
My Lord Chancellor, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Prime Minister, my Lords, and Members of the House
of Commons:
We almost stand on the precipice leading to a complete disaster and ruin not just for
Great Britain, but also for her people. Our association with the European Union since its
founding four decades ago has been one of benefit, our unity with the nations of Continental
Europe is the bedrock upon which peace has been maintained even in the face of the looming
crises. I ask, how can we afford to jeopardise such a beneficial relationship?
The decision to walk out of the European Union will have dire consequences, and
these consequences shall harm Britain. You all might be aware of how back in 2016, many
economists predicted that any attempt to go out of the European Union would cause a
decrease in our country’s per capita income. Besides the visible short-term impacts of Brexit,
we would have to contend with medium and long-term effects arising from such a step. In
fact, according to the government’s analysis that was leaked to the public, Colantone and
Stanig (2018) deduced that there would be a probable decline in the British economy at a rate
of between 2% and 2.8%, lest we go ahead with Brexit.
The Prime Minister insists that we initiate steps to disassociate from the European
Union by October 31st; however, doing so would cause grievous hurt to the rate of
employment we have continued to enjoy, thanks to job losses. Specific sectors like
manufacturing and nursing would be the hardest hit, as these jobs heavily rely upon the
economic and trading agreements we have with the EU. Therefore, we must take caution
before commencing any policy regarding Brexit if we wish to preserve employment.
As I have mentioned, we have signed favourable trade agreements with the European
Union. If we are so determined to leave the EU, let me remind you that in doing so, the
member-states of the Union would not adopt a friendly approach to re-negotiating new trade

2ON PREVENTING THE DISASTER OF BREXIT
agreements, causing a rise in the price of imported goods and a decrease of profits of
exported goods. As long as we are a part of the Union, we would not have to deal with these
consequences.
Another area of concern is losing out on investments. If we go ahead with Brexit,
according to Goodwin and Heath (2016), investors from the Continent will find it more
feasible to shift their operations from Britain to Europe, thereby cutting-off valuable tax
revenue. Besides, going out of the EU would mean a cessation of immigration by European
citizens, which, as Inglehart and Norris (2016) have pointed out, would cause labour
shortages among skilled workers. Consequently, we would also have to cater to the demands
of British skilled-labour of providing them with higher pay. All of these would contribute to a
decrease in economic growth.
Members of Parliament, these are some of the significant issues that we are yet to
face, and the tentative date of initiating Brexit is merely a week away. It is crucial that before
we take any rash measure, we must give due consideration to the numerous disadvantages
that we face if we go ahead with Brexit. We cannot afford to lose any ties with the European
Union, or else all that we are doing is condemning ourselves to a series of disasters that we
can still prevent. Let us not endanger the welfare of this country and its people; let us strive to
avert the catastrophe of Brexit.

3ON PREVENTING THE DISASTER OF BREXIT
References
Colantone, I., & Stanig, P. (2018). Global competition and Brexit. American political science
review, 112(2), 201-218.
Goodwin, M. J., & Heath, O. (2016). The 2016 referendum, Brexit and the left behind: An
aggregate‐level analysis of the result. The Political Quarterly, 87(3), 323-332.
Inglehart, R. F., & Norris, P. (2016). Trump, Brexit, and the rise of populism: Economic
have-nots and cultural backlash.