Why Brexit voters shouldn’t succumb to immigration fear

Those in favour of a “Brexit”, such as the UK Independence Party, claim that staying in the EU would harm Britain’s independence vis-a-vis the international community and particularly its control over immigrants from other EU countries. 

It could indeed be true that staying in the EU would attract more immigrants, which might further burden the UK welfare system. But, by focusing on these issues, we risk overlooking the advantages of EU membership that Britons enjoy.

These include the low (or zero) tax and tariffs that British enterprises and entrepreneurs enjoy when trading with counterparts in other European countries. If Britain leaves the EU, these arrangements would likely be cancelled, dealing a terrible blow to the economy.

Some pro-Brexit voters fear that, by remaining in the EU, Britain would suffer Germany’s fate in being flooded with asylum-seekers and illegal immigrants amid the conflict in Syria. But in fact the UK government is able to deal with the problem with a high degree of autonomy thanks to immigration laws that are among the strictest in Europe. I doubt that a Brexit would be of any benefit in tackling the problem of refugees. 

Lastly, Britons now enjoy visa-free travel in the EU under the Schengen policy. That right would be threatened if we left the EU.

The fact is that a Brexit can’t help Britain. Instead, Britons need to help build an EU with sustainable growth.

Oscar Yeung

Member of the Labour Party (UK)