Task A

Sum up the consequences of Brexit for the UK as well as recent developments in the public debate as depicted in the article.

(Comprehension) (12 Punkte)

Analyze Rachman’s intention and how he tries to make his point. Focus on communicative strategies and use of language.

(Analysis) (16 Punkte)

Choose one of the following tasks:

3.1

In a newspaper article the UK politician Olly Grender, a member of the Liberal Democrats, claimed that “Young people’s voices are being ignored – let’s put them at the heart of policymaking” Taking her statement as a starting point, comment on ways to increase the representation of young people in political decision-making in general.

(Evaluation: comment) (14 Punkte)

3.2

In response to Rachman’s article write a letter to the editor evaluating his suggestion of rejoining the European Union as the best way forward for the United Kingdom.

(Evaluation: re-creation of text) (14 Punkte)

Gideon Rachman

Brexit could be reversed – here’s how

The article reflects on the consequences of Brexit for the UK and discusses recent developments in public debate regarding rejoining the EU.

At the height of Britain’s Brexit debate, passions ran so high that some talked of a “new

English civil war”. That comparison still intrigues me for one specific reason: the side that

won the civil war ultimately lost. King Charles I was executed in 1649. Eleven years later,

the English decided they had made a mistake and restored the monarchy.

Could a similar reversal happen with Brexit? I think so.

Seven years after the 2016 referendum, and three years after Brexit actually happened,

opinion has shifted markedly. As the academic Matthew Goodwin wrote recently, some

60 per cent of Britons now think Brexit was the wrong decision and would vote to rejoin

the EU at a second referendum. An average of recent polls shows 58 per cent of voters not

only regretting Brexit, but actively favouring Rejoin.

It is easy to understand why. Brexit was sold as a way of controlling immigration and

improving the NHS. But the NHS is now in far worse shape than it was in 2016. Immigration

into the UK remains very high, with EU immigrants largely replaced by people from outside

the bloc. And the IMF predicts that Britain will have the worst performing economy in the

developed world this year.

Demographics and economics suggest that the Rejoin sentiment will strengthen over time.

Young voters are the most pro-EU of the lot, with 79 per cent of 18- to 24-year-olds

wanting to rejoin. And, sadly, the damage done to the UK economy by Brexit is likely to

become increasingly evident.

So far these changes have not filtered through into politics. Daniel Hannan, a prominent

Leave campaigner, claimed recently that there was a “plot to overturn Brexit”. If only!

In reality, with roughly two years before an election, the opposition Labour party says that

reversing Brexit is out of the question – and talks only of “fixes” to the current deal. Even

diehard Remainers often moan that it will take a generation before Britain can consider

rejoining the EU.

But this is too fatalistic and too accepting of the mounting damage Brexit is doing. It also

ignores the speed with which events and opinion are moving.

The truth is that the marginal “fixes” to Brexit favoured by Labour may not be achievable

and would not compensate for exclusion from the EU’s internal market. The public seem to

have realised this. Eventually politicians will have to respond – and the idea of rejoining the

EU will become mainstream. [...]

Any campaign to rejoin would face two big further objections. The first and most important

is the claim that the EU would not want Britain back. The second is the argument that the

British will turn against Rejoin, when they realise what it involves.

European opposition to a British return certainly exists, but can be overstated. Michel

Barnier, who led the EU’s Brexit negotiating team, says the door is open for Britain to

rejoin the EU “any time”. [...]

Most EU insiders, however, warn that, this time, Britain would not be offered any special

deals. There would be no budget rebate; no opt out from the social chapter. Britain would

have to accept the free movement of people and, quite probably, the euro.

Some pundits think that once these realities sink in, the British would lose their initial

enthusiasm for rejoining the EU. But that is not necessarily the case.

The idea that leaving the EU will dramatically reduce immigration has been disproved.

Embracing European social standards may horrify the Tory right, but would probably be

popular among most of the electorate.

Even the euro might not be a deal-breaker. I opposed Britain joining the single currency

20 years ago because it was an untried experiment. But the euro is now an established

international currency, while the pound looks chronically weak. The young voters who

favour Rejoin care more about issues such as the environment than abstract notions of

sovereignty.

How could it be done? I would favour a two-referendum process. The first vote could be

held in 2026, a decade after the Leave vote of 2016. It would simply give the UK government

permission to open negotiations with the EU. A strong vote of approval – say, 60 per cent –

might allay some EU scepticism about whether Britain is too divided to deal with. A second

referendum would be held on the terms of the Rejoin deal.

It took 11 years for Britain to restore the monarchy. Why not try to beat that by a year – and

reverse Brexit inside a decade?

Gideon Rachman, “Brexit could be reversed – here’s how”, in: Financial Times, 6 February 2023

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Note:
Our solutions are listed in bullet points. In the examination, full marks can only be achieved by writing a continuous text. It must be noted that our conclusions contain only some of the possible aspects. Students can also find a different approach to argumentation.

Brexit has severely impacted the UK economy, with predictions of the UK performing worse than other developed countries according to the IMF.
The NHS, which was a central argument for the Leave campaign, is in worse condition than before, disproving the idea that Brexit would improve its services.
While Brexit was supposed to control immigration, the influx of people has not decreased significantly, with non-EU immigrants replacing EU immigrants.

Main Body
Economic and social consequences

The political landscape has yet to fully adjust to the growing Rejoin sentiment, with major parties like Labour still rejecting the idea of reversing Brexit.
However, public opinion is clearly shifting, with around 60% of Britons now believing Brexit was a mistake and favoring rejoining the EU.
This shift is especially strong among younger voters, where 79% of 18-24-year-olds support the Rejoin movement.
Political willingness though is limited, as major parties like Labour currently only advocate minor adjustments to the Brexit deal. The Labour party says that reversing Brexit is out of the question – and talks only of ‘fixes’ to the current deal. (l. 22-23)

Shifts in public opinion

Although Brexit has caused significant damage, the article suggests that a Rejoin movement could gather momentum over time.
The author compares this potential reversal to historical examples, such as the restoration of the monarchy after the English Civil War.
While some believe it will take a generation to undo Brexit, the article argues that the political environment and public opinion could evolve much faster.

Future outlook

Rachman uses several communicative strategies and language techniques to argue for the possibility of reversing Brexit and rejoining the EU. His approach combines historical comparisons, appeals to logic, and emotional appeals to highlight the damage done by Brexit and the potential for change.

Introduction

Rachman opens with a historical analogy, comparing Brexit to the English Civil War:
$\rightarrow$ engages readers by suggesting that just as the monarchy was restored after a significant political upheaval
$\rightarrow$ His rhetorical question, "Could a similar reversal happen with Brexit? I think so." (l. 5) invites readers to consider the reversibility of political actions.

By drawing parallels between past and present political situations, he invites readers to consider the fluidity of political decisions and the potential for change over time.

Communicative Strategies
Use of Historical Analogy

By referencing statistics – such as 60% of Britons now regretting Brexit – Rachman strengthens his argument rationally.
$\rightarrow$ "The side that won the civil war ultimately lost [...] the English decided they had made a mistake and restored the monarchy.” (l. 3-5)
$\rightarrow$ "As the academic Matthew Goodwin wrote recently, some per cent of Britons now think Brexit was the wrong decision and would vote to rejoin the EU at a second referendum." (l. 8-9)

This use of statistics adds credibility to his claims and underscores a significant shift in public opinion, which he argues is likely to strengthen over time.
$\rightarrow$ "And, sadly, the damage done to the UK economy by Brexit is likely to become increasingly evident." (l. 18-19)

Statistical evidence

Rachman references Matthew Goodwin, an academic, to reinforce his points about changing public sentiment.
By citing an expert, he enhances the legitimacy of his argument, suggesting that his views are aligned with established scholarly perspectives.

Appeal to authority

Rachman uses descriptive and evaluative language to highlight the negative consequences of Brexit, with phrases like "the NHS is now in far worse shape" (l. 12) and "the worst performing economy." (l. 14)
He frequently contrasts reality with the promises made during the Brexit campaign, creating a sense of disillusionment among readers. For example, he points out how Brexit failed to deliver on controlling immigration or improving the NHS.
By referring to younger voters as "the most pro-EU of the lot" (l. 17) and emphasizing their enthusiasm for rejoining, he connects emotionally with this demographic, presenting them as the key to reversing Brexit.

Use of Language
Descriptive and evaluative language

Rachman employs inclusive language when discussing demographics, highlighting that 79% of young voters want to rejoin the EU (l. 17-18)
This approach appeals to a sense of collective identity and shared future, suggesting that the youth's perspective is vital for the UK's direction.

Inclusive Language

Rachman presents contrasting viewpoints to strengthen his argument. He acknowledges the objections to rejoining the EU but counters them with reasoned responses, such as Michel Barnier's statement that the EU would welcome Britain back (Rachman, l.36-37).
This technique allows him to address potential counterarguments proactively, making his overall position more robust and convincing.

Contrasting Perspectives

In summary, Rachman effectively uses a mix of strategies to argue that Brexit could be reversed. By drawing on historical comparisons, statistics, and expert opinions, he makes a persuasive case for why public opinion is shifting. His clear and engaging language invites readers to reconsider Brexit as something that could change, rather than a final decision. Ultimately, Rachman presents the idea that reversing Brexit is possible and worth considering.

Conclusion

3.1

In her article, UK politician Olly Grender asserts, "Young people’s voices are being ignored – let’s put them at the heart of policymaking." This statement highlights a common concern that the perspectives of younger generations are often sidelined in political discussions, despite the fact that they will inherit the consequences of today's decisions. Addressing this issue requires innovative approaches to ensure that young people are more effectively represented in political decision-making processes. By exploring educational reforms, increased engagement opportunities, and improved youth participation structures, we can make significant strides toward amplifying the voices of younger citizens.

Introduction

Giving young people a formal platform to express their opinions on policy matters.
Community education programs should provide workshops on skills like debating, running for office, and activism to empower youth.
Schools and universities could also foster political engagement by integrating courses on civic education and policy-making into their curricula, encouraging students to become active participants in the democratic process.
Youth-focused media: Share political content on social media and podcasts to boost awareness and engagement.

Main Body
Educational reforms to build political awareness

Establishing youth councils at local and national level would give young people a formal platform to contribute to policy-making and advise decision-makers.
Lowering the voting age to 16, as some countries have done, would allow young people to participate directly in political decisions that affect their future.
Mentorship programs that connect young people with experienced politicians could help bridge the knowledge gap and inspire more active youth participation.

Creating opportunities for youth political engagement

The use of social media and digital platforms offers a powerful way to engage young people in political discourse. Politicians and governments should use these platforms to communicate directly with the youth and encourage feedback.
Introducing youth quotes in legislative bodies or political parties can ensure that young people are represented in decision-making positions.
Supporting independent youth-led organisations can help mobilise youth-led movements that draw attention to youth issues on a larger scale.

Improving representation structures for youth participation

Increasing the representation of young people in political decision-making is not just about giving them a voice; it’s about ensuring that their voices are heard and acted upon. By focusing on education, engagement opportunities, and formal structures for participation, we can create an environment where young people are not only included in the political process but also empowered to shape the policies that will determine their futures.

Conclusion

3.2

Dear Editor,

In his article, Gideon Rachman suggests that rejoining the European Union is the most viable path for the United Kingdom to correct the challenges brought by Brexit. While his argument offers a compelling perspective on reversing Brexit, it is important to weigh the potential benefits and challenges of such a move. This letter will evaluate Rachman’s proposal in light of the current political, economic, and social realities.

Introduction

Rachman cites the IMF’s forecast that Britain’s economy will be the worst-performing among developed nations:
$\rightarrow$ "And the IMF predicts that Britain will have the worst performing economy in the developed world this year." (l. 14-15)
$\rightarrow$ Rejoining the EU could stabilize the economy by reopening access to the EU’s single market.

EU membership would restore tariff-free trade and encourage foreign investment, potentially weakening the economic losses Britain has faced.

Rachman notes that rejoining may require adopting the euro (l. 40). The UK would need to carefully assess the impact on the national currency and economic sovereignty.

Main Body
Economic Considerations

However, Rachman points to the public's growing regret about Brexit: 60% of British people now consider it a mistake (l. 8). This shift indicates a potential path of political support for re-entry.
The Labour party has not come out in favour of re-entry and is instead focused on ‘fixing’ Brexit (l. 23-24). The political landscape would need to change significantly before a serious move towards membership could be considered.
However, Rachman acknowledges that the EU would not offer the UK any special privileges this time: "Most EU insiders [...] warn that, this time, Britain would not be offered any special deals. There would be no budget rebate; no opt out from the social chapter. Britain would have to accept the free movement of people and, quite probably, the euro." (l.38-40)

Political practicability

Rachman emphasises that younger voters, particularly 18-24 year olds, overwhelmingly support re-entry into the EU (l. 18). This generational shift could mean long-term support for re-integration.

The idea that Brexit would curb immigration has been largely disproved (l. 43-44). Accepting EU immigration rules might not be as politically divisive as before, especially among younger generations.

For many, the decision to leave the EU was tied to a desire for national sovereignty. Rejoining the EU could reignite debates around identity, particularly among older voters who supported Brexit.

Social and demographic factors

While Rachman’s proposal for rejoining the EU is grounded in valid concerns about the UK’s economic and political future, it also presents significant challenges. Politically, rejoining may not yet be feasible, and the social and economic implications would need to be carefully considered. However, with shifting public opinion and growing support among younger generations, this idea may eventually gain more traction. For now, the UK must focus on addressing the immediate issues of Brexit while keeping an open dialogue about its future relationship with the EU.

Yours sincerely,
Lina

Conclusion

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