Article 50 must be invoked

Contradicting most expectations and predictions a majority of the British electorate voted for Brexit. The result was a severe blow to remainers in the UK and also to the European Union. Project Fear failed, the voters used the opportunity to tell they are fed up with Brussels and want their sovereignity back.

The referendum question was: "Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union ? " 52 %  said the UK should leave and 48 % wanted to remain. Now the result must be implemented. But how ? Many politicians have said that the referendum result must be respected. But "respected" is a vague concept. A negotiated "leave light" agreement might be presented as the only possible solution because the consequences would otherwise be to negative. There is only one way a real exit can be legally done, namely by invoking Article 50 of the Treaty of the European Union.

Invoking Article 50 is also of great importance in the struggle for a more democratic EU and a rebalancing of power between the supranational and national level. A real British exit can stimulate "populistic" eurosceptic protests and parties across the Union and perhaps generate enough politic pressure to stop the march towards an ever closer union. It has not been successful, the Euro-crisis  and large-scale migration are now threaths to the EUs existence. The Union´s course must be changed from "more Europe" to "a Europe with added value for everyone".

Nigel Farage said Brexit would not lead to EU reforms. It is impossible to stop the Europhiles, the march towards an ever closer Union will therefore continue until the EU is destroyed. May be Mr. Farage is right. But what seems certain is that without a real British exit the pressure on the Europhiles will be watered down, and it will be harder to enforce necessary reforms.