August is often known as the ‘silly season’ when trivial news stories are given prominence due to a lack of issues of more substance during the holiday season. This year has been true to form with some London Labour MPs absurdly criticising Jamie Oliver’s Caribbean rice as cultural appropriation, although I suspect the ‘Chicken Little’ hysteria about Brexit from various politicians (including some Labour Councillors here in Crawley) and media will continue until March next year when the UK leaves the European Union.
More generally, there is too much hysteria these days over increasingly trivial matters. This is especially true on social media but thankfully we have the option to ignore, unfollow or block those hysterical accounts that shout and scream.
The sky will not falling in after March 2019, just as it hasn’t in the two years since the EU referendum when Crawley voted to leave by 58% to 42%. There is an irony that Labour ‘Chicken Littles’ who claim the economy will grind to halt once we leave the EU, spend much time campaigning locally for Jeremy Corbyn to become Prime Minister, which by any historical measure would be truly devastating for our economy. Make no mistake, the election of a Labour Government represents a much greater risk to our economic prosperity that has been brought about under the Conservatives, than leaving the EU could ever do.
Sadly, you only have to look at the terrible situation in Venezuela where one sixth of the population have fled the country, to see where Labour would take us economically. We should not forget that both Jeremy Corbyn and Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell have previously lauded Venezuela’s far-left Government as a great example of a Socialist Government.
Despite the blatant intransigence of EU negotiators, I expect arrangements for once we leave the EU will be agreed, but even if they are not, life and our successful economy will carry on regardless. We do have to be prepared for a no-deal scenario and that strengthens our negotiating position, but a no-deal Brexit will not be the disaster that the doomsayers claim.
Councillor Duncan Crow, Leader of Crawley Borough Council Conservative Group
29th August 2018