I've got a confession to make. On Thursday 23rd June 2016, I visited the polling station and, like every other adult in this country, answered a question; Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union? And like the majority of others who voted in this referendum, I voted to leave.
I wasn't always in the leave camp. In the months leading up to referendum day, I devoted a huge amount of time to reading, debating and doing my best to understand the issues. As part of Cranleigh Chamber of Commerce, I helped to arrange and host two panel debates on the subject. I also attended a panel debate hosted by on of my professional bodies, the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment.
The more I learnt about the European Union, the more I swayed towards Leave. The biggest single factor in making up my mind was reading Why Vote Leave by my guest on the podcast today, Daniel Hannan.
Dan Hannan is a writer and journalist. After 17 years as a Member of the European Parliament, campaigning for British withdrawal from the EU, he succeeded in abolishing his job in the Brexit referendum on 23 June 2016.
He is the author of nine books, including New York Times bestseller 'Inventing Freedom: How the English-Speaking Peoples Made the Modern World', and Sunday Times bestseller 'Why Vote Leave'.
His latest book, and the subject of our conversation today, is 'What Next: How to get the best from Brexit'.
In today’s episode of Informed Choice Radio, I speak to Dan about why the experts got it wrong, how we should aim to have freest possible trade with our European allies, understanding the difference between a free trade area and a customs union, why the Prime Minister would be crazy to share her negotiating strategy, whether we are still on track to trigger Article 50 by the end of March, and much more.
Welcome to What Next for Brexit? With Daniel Hannan, in episode 162 of Informed Choice Radio.
Some questions I ask:
-Did you originally become an MEP with the goal of the UK leaving the EU?
-Why did all of the experts get it so wrong?
-How can we get the best deal from Brexit?
-What's the difference between a free trade area and a customs union?
-Does Theresa May have a plan for Brexit?
-Where does the balance of power lie in the upcoming negotiations?
-Will Brexit be a smooth ride?
-How long is the uncertainty over Brexit likely to continue shaking investment markets?
-Are we still on track to trigger Article 50 by the end of March?
-What's your one concern about how we might get Brexit wrong?
Useful links mentioned in this episode:
-Dan on Twitter
-What Next: How to get the best from Brexit
Thank you for listening!
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