To some this may seem like a irrelevant and largely redundant question but are Black Asian and British people of differing ethnicity more likely to want to remain in Europe or do they bolster the 52% that voted to leave. If you look closely at the issue the question really is; Will brexit adversely effects Black and Asian people to a greater extent than it might effect white people.
White Britons seem to be at ease in Europe. In fact Europe is the number one destination for Britons holidaying abroad. This is also true of Black and Ethnic minority Britons and although many have reported experiencing racism it is on a scale of that experienced day to day in the UK. Eastern Europe however and some Slavic countries have no policies regarding race so for Black and Asians who visit or study there colour is a issue.
Politically the European Union have adopted a liberal and inclusive mandate, which is quite different from the fortress Europe of the common market era which was designed to protect the interests , jobs and markets of white Europeans from the ravages of the Chinese sweatshops, cheap goods and labour from Asia and the competition that will inevitably come from emerging economies of Africa and South America. The only requirement to becoming a member being that you pay your annual subscriptions and you can then benefit from tarif free trade within Europe and all the advantages that come with it. Human rights, racial equality and diversity rights for a broad spectrum of people, freedom of movement throughout and across member regions and religious tolerance to people of differing beliefs. If there was ever any doubt as to the absolute sovereignty of the European Union it’s judiciary is the final word on all issues within the union and often overrules decisions reached in member courts. The question then must be asked, how better off are Black and Asian Britons under this system of rule rather than been governed solely from Westminster?
We have all heard the “Britain is full” mantra spouted every time you see a brexiteer being interviewed on tv but ask these same people if Britain is full for Australians, Newzealanders or Canadians and your likely to hear a different answer . Many Black and Asians voted to leave Europe despite the massive anti- immigration protest voiced by members of the public and some media and political parties.
In the wake of the Windrush scandal bought about by a government seeking to harvest votes by pandering to a racist and xenophobic electorate, it may not be to difficult to imagine a time post brexit, when services and medicines become rationed, questions of entitlement will arise with priority given to those born and raised in this country. The possibility of an ultra rightwing party been swept into number 10 seems even more plausible now than it did before UKIP and the EDL changed the political landscape of British politics. Without The European Judiciary there ensuring equality and human right for all, what’s to prevent such a party from implementing laws that will seriously disadvantage any naturalised or first generation BAME living in this country?
A Black Perspective 