After six months of confusion and parliamentary squabbles since the day of the referendum results, Theresa May finally gave a speech laying down her plans for UK’s exit from the European Union.
She talked about UK pulling out of the single market of EU, a fact which has been circling newspapers for some days. She made it clear that Britain will be going for a clean Brexit and that there won’t be a situation where the country’s position will be hanging in the middle.
There will be new trade agreements in place between the EU and the UK which in May’s terminology will be a thread of relationship between the two.
The PM at last settled the dust over the fact that the Parliament will have the final say over the decision which also resulted in a positive growth for the Sterling.
Positive words, negative laws
What was interesting is that manner in which she started her speech, using the words ‘global’ and claiming that UK was a ‘magnet’ for international talent. As an international student studying in London at the moment, I guess I can also consider myself in the same category. The picture she wants to paint through her speech is not in tune with her decisions she has made regarding immigrations and visas.
Her cap on the Immigration of international students will and already is, severely affecting the number of students coming into UK for education.
On top of that, international students pay more fees than their local counterparts and they pay it because they feel their expenditure will be repaid in the future when they acquire employment, which is not the case. Also, due to immigration ceiling, the UK can lose up to 2 billion pounds which can be a big setback for the economy.
International students who come to study in London are attracted by the opportunities the city has to offer. She talked about Britain being a country which will a ‘home to pioneers and innovators’. How will the innovators and pioneers invent and add value to the society if they find it difficult to get employed after their courses are over?
Or does she mean that the so-called ‘pioneers and innovators’ can only be UK locals and not international students?
Weathering the storm!
If she really goes by her words, then she must create an atmosphere which is more welcoming for international students. She has to create conditions which ease the restrictions for non-EU students to get employment.
She is a good orator and spoke sternly. She did her best to make Brexit seem like a viable and positive option. Detaching from the single market of EU, restricting international students along with formulating new trade agreements which can take a lot of time and result in trade uncertainties does not paint a good picture.
The unfortunate aspect of this is that such a situation has been created by the people themselves. If the situation turns grim, I hope they have the strength to weather it.
