Michael Gove says “we’ve had enough of experts”. I say we’ve had enough of Michael Gove. The Leave side’s campaign of misinformation, bigotry, outrage and propaganda has left a singularly bad taste in my mouth.
All of Britain and the world’s leading economic authorities said that any Brexit vote almost certainly would be bad for jobs and living standards. Terms like “economic suicide” aren’t to be taken lightly. On the leave side, you get arguments along the lines of “if the market drops, I’ll finally be able to buy a house”. Except, what happens when you can’t get a mortgage because the economy tanks, the rates go up, and you lose your job? You go buy that house, girl.
Former Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith has said that high levels of EU migration mean British workers are “forced to compete” with millions from abroad for employment. Employment growth has been impressive across the board as Britain emerges from the post-2008 recessions – and both UK and EU citizens have benefited. Many of the jobs that have been created in that time are the result of increased migration. A bigger population requires more goods and services, which means more jobs are created to provide them. Migration from the EU helped us out of the economic doldrums.
Concern among voters often focuses on the fear that migrants come to the UK to exploit its welfare system, but HMRC figures show that migrants who arrived in Britain in the last four years EU migrants paid £2.5bn more in income tax and national insurance than they took in tax credits and child benefit.
In a major speech on immigration, Michael Gove warned that more arrivals could make the NHS “unsustainable” by 2030. The NHS itself disagrees. Chief executive of NHS England has pointed out that 130,000 European-born doctors, nurses and care workers are vital to keep our health and care services functioning. It is unclear what their working status would be in the event of Brexit.
Yes, the EU isn’t perfect. But it’s better than cutting your nose off to spite your face. It’s like a petulant child taking all his marbles and walking away from the other kids, who happily keep on playing.
