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Will a hard-Brexit bring about austerity and huge cuts in services?

I think that it will and also that it is planned. For all that the Leave campaign talked about immigration cuts, taking back control and national sovereignty, that is not their real agenda.

The hard-Brexiteers who are attacking May for her compromise deal want to remake the British economy along the lines of the South East Asian countries. This means lower taxes (for the rich and for corporations), less re-take (meaning safety legislation and worker protections) and a smaller state (meaning less money for schools and hospitals). This is a Brexit which will benefit the rich and upper-middle class at the expense of most of those who voted for Brexit.

This was not what has been sold to the public but it is what the pro-Brexit wing of the Conservative Party want according to their published work:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/13/tory-brexiteers-plan-2019-britain-conservative

If you don't believe me, look at the people involved. When have the right of the Tory Party ever cared about working class people? They've busted unions and imposed austerity cuts whenever they've had the chance. The media who are pro-hard-Brexit include the Murdoch owned Sun, the Express, and the Daily Mail.

So why are they coy about this agenda in public? Its because it would be unpopular with the British people. The public wants more money for the NHS, not less. They think lower taxes for the rich are unfair and want a more equal society. This goes for both Remain and Brexit voters.

However, you can get people to accept this kind of agenda under conditions of an economic crisis and a hard-Brexit would necessarily cause that crisis. Remember how the 2007/08 financial crash was caused by the banking sector and used as an excuse for austerity cuts? Expect the same again, only worse. If the Tory Brexiteers get their way; expect the EU to be blamed and expect cuts in public services and worker protections in the name of taking back control. This is what Naomi Klein talked about in her book 'The Shock Doctrine'. It's about how disaster capitalism takes advantage of a political and economic turbulence to impose its own will on an otherwise unsympathetic population.
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CynicGirl · 26-30, F
the only sane solution would be another vote which would drastically swing into the other direction now that people realized they been lied to...
Burnley123 · 41-45, M
@CynicGirl That is one solution. I don't think it will happen though because unfortunately, most people do not (yet) realise that they have been lied to. The opinion polls have only shifted very slightly since the referendum. Leavers would also be annoyed because they would see it as unfair and say it was politicians re-running the referendum until they get the 'correct' result. Leave could easily win again.

Most people only perceive political reality when it directly affects their daily lives (or perceive that it has). Sadly, it could be too late in this case.
Brenda · 61-69, F
@CynicGirl that makes sense to me, but then we would get people who have big mouths, shouting for a vote on the revote :(, Cameron made a big mistake
CynicGirl · 26-30, F
@Burnley123 i am absolutely fine with england ruinign itself... we gladly welcome scotland back in the EU and maybe even northern ireland
Burnley123 · 41-45, M
@CynicGirl I am talking about a faction of Britain's ruling elite ruining the UK for all of its people. Remain voters will also be affected, even in those in Scotland and Northern Ireland. If any decoupling did happen, it would take time.
NakedExperiment · 51-55, M
@CynicGirl Didn't the EU state several times that Scotland cannot be accepted back into the EU on its own?
Burnley123 · 41-45, M
@NakedExperiment Yep. And Spain is a powerful enemy to Scottish Nationalism, because of its own issues with Catalonia.
NakedExperiment · 51-55, M
@Burnley123 From what I've seen in the past few years, lots of people from all walks of life are ruining the UK. If we leave the EU, we're going to maintain good relations with many other countries, not least the US. Thousands of people seem to have their hearts set on offending the US, regardless of the risk to our relations with the US.

I see people everywhere acting like arses. Someone keeps smashing all the glass in the bus shelter at the end of my road. I'm guessing it costs the council hundreds/thousands to replace it every week and I'm end up indirectly paying for that in my council tax.