I live in Wales. Swansea, to be precise. My ancestors were oystermen, as far back as the 1700s. I am writing a book and a play about these ancestors, and campaigning to stop Brexit.
"But Wales voted Leave." I know. I hear it every day. However, scrutiny of the figures shows that the overall percentage of leave voters in Wales was lower than that of England – 52.5% Leave to 47.5% Remain in Wales on a 71.7% turnout, compared to 53.4% to 46.6% Remain on a 73% turnout in England.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/eu_referendum/results
Wales is a net beneficiary of the EU. Major infrastructure, cultural and academic projects in Wales have been paid for by other EU countries. For Wales' businesses, the EU is an expanding market. http://gov.wales/statistics-and-research/welsh-exports/?lang=enNinety percent of Welsh shellfish goes to EU countries. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-43031401 These markets will be lost, or considerably more expensive to do business with, if Wales leaves the EU. Wales has to ask itself, seriously, if losing these markets, so it can send its lamb to Australia, is really worth it.
I appreciate some farmers feel aggrieved by the Common Agricultural Policy. But so do the EU. Last week, the European Council held a meeting of its twenty eight Agriculture Ministers. http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/agrifish/2018/04/16/Britain's Minister is Michael Gove. He did not attend. He sent a representative. He had the opportunity to defend Britain's (and Wales') farming and fishing interests, but declined.
My ancestors lost their livelihoods because the waters were overfished. Welsh fishermen now stand to lose their livelihoods because their markets – primarily Spain and France – will no longer be cost-effective.
Is Brexit really worth it?
Christine Buxton
