Last week,
I was able to participate in two guided tours within London: a tour of the old
city and a tour of the dock lands. I
found the tour of the old city very relatable to English culture and can
connect it to some of the sentiments that are felt today. In the tour, we began with the history of
London as a Roman trading center.
Following the Anglo-Saxon introduction, a wall was constructed around
the city. I believe that this wall was
integral in forming cultural attitudes of Londoners throughout the millennia
and then transferred into English attitudes.
The wall was a symbol of strength and confidence. It isolated Londoners from the outside world,
as they had become a sufficient power of their own. This can be testified through William the
Conqueror’s decision to remain outside the city. The city was so revered and respected that
the Norman did not enter it.
I assert
that this attitude transferred into English culture today. The English have always seen themselves as a
nation apart. They are separate from the
Europe and the world, and are free to do as they choose. The institution of the British Empire around
the globe is enough to testify to that.
When the British people voted in referendum to leave the European Union,
it is not as surprising as one may think when looking back on history. There is quite possibly a lust deep inside of
British citizens to become that dominant world power again. These antiquated beliefs are found in the
history of England and London as being an isolated and successful world apart
from the rest of Europe. London, many
centuries ago, gained the necessary confidence to establish an important and
powerful trading city separated from Europe by the English Channel. They did not need a union with Europe then,
so many are questioning why they need one now.
Undeniably,
the dock lands also played a powerful role in the attitudes of British foreign
affairs. The introduction and
streamlining of the London docks helped ease the strain of trading on the River
Thames. The river was crowded, people
were losing money to theft, and the process was inefficient. It is safe to say that the institution of
docks aided London to explode into the metropolis it is today. In addition, the docks aided in the colonial
expansion of Britain, fueling the fire that became the British Empire. The
powerful economic stability that London, and in turn, England, created through
the docks reverberated throughout the nation.
Although the docks are of little use now, the feelings of financial
security and colonial successes against their European contemporaries that was
created through the docks are still present in the minds of many English today.
On the last
full day of the trip, we walked around Westminster. I was surprised at all the activity. Given the terrorist attack on the Wednesday
prior, I pictured an area coated in somber emotions and grief. It was quite the opposite. People were bustling around as if nothing had
happened at all, but I guess this is the appropriate response. Terrorism is, in its very name, committed to
induce terror. The reaction was a
testament to the resilience of Londoners, I assume. There was one fence against the parliament
building coated in flowers, with a few mourners. I saw a woman in tears. This situation, however, was dwarfed by the large
procession that was occurring in front of Westminster Abbey.
In the
middle of Westminster, ten thousand people gathered to protest Brexit. Every type of citizen was there. There were women and men, elderly couples,
elderly partners, young children, infants, and Europeans from every
background. Each was sporting their own
EU regalia of some kind. Many had the
unmistakable blue flag with the ring of stars draped over their backs. Some were painted head to toe in blue face
paint. Many held posters and signs
agonizing over Britain’s exit from the union.
One thing was for sure: people were hyped up and affected by Brexit. I remember clearly one speaker was on the
stage. He ended his speech with these words:
“I am Pakistani. I am Muslim. I am British.
And I am European!” The crowd
erupted in enthusiastic applause.
I believe
this statement is very important in the Brexit argument. His statements reflected the thoughts of
those ten thousands citizens in the square.
He represented their thoughts and there were many of like background in
the crowd. The problem arises with the
British citizens who do not want these individuals in their nation. We have learned that Brexit has largely been
fueled by immigration. Its supporters
believe the Europeans (namely Eastern Europeans) are flooding into the United
Kingdom and diluting the job market and using their resources. These individuals are just looking to improve
their lives, and many could argue that the influx of working individuals in the
United Kingdom helps drive the economy.
However, now that Brexit has officially commenced and Prime Minister Theresa
May has triggered Article 50, we will see in the coming years how the economy
changes. It does not come into full
effect for the next few years, so now is a critical time to see how the
official change alters attitudes of United Kingdom citizens.
The trip to
London last week was very important to me in my understanding of European
politics, British history, and the future of the European Union. I was able to learn and get a hands-on
experience on the historical basis of how London became a financial power. I believe London’s past financial success
bolstered by its efficient docks, as well as the engrained history of the city
center, have transcended history and engrained themselves in British culture
and thinking. Britain has decided to
leave the European Union after a decades-long relationship due to some yearning
for the United Kingdom’s previous power.
Now that the United Kingdom is back on its own, it will be interesting
to see if it can reclaim that perceived success as well as how the European Union
will survive without it.
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