With Britain already bitterly divided over the issue of the “Brexit”—the question of whether the United Kingdom should leave or remain in the European Union—the debate took on a dark and sinister turn last week’s stabbing, shooting, and death of Labor Party minister Jo Cox.
Cox, who was 41 years old and an outspoken proponent of Britain remaining in the EU, was allegedly killed by a man who had ties to right-wing extremist groups and allegedly said 'this is for Britain' and 'keep Britain independent' duringher murder.
"This is a turning point," said Charles Sennott, veteran foreign reporter and executive director of The GroundTruth Project.
Sennott said that while rational proponents of leaving the EU argue for Britain to have the ability to control its own borders and create its own laws independently, strains of nativism and anti-immigrant sentiment have also crept into that side of the debate.
"There are a lot of people in the United Kingdom who feel their country is under siege, their culture is under siege from immigration," Sennott said.
"There's a nasty streak in the debate—and that nasty streak exploded into the violence and murder of a member of Parliament," he continued.
Beyond the violence of recent days, Sennott said a vote to leave the European Union could have far-reaching—and potentially devastating—consequences on the British economy, which currently participates in free trade with all other EU nations.
"You're going to complicate enormously the economic terrain and the ability to do business," he said. "There are many economists who fear it will have a serious impact on the British economy."
To hear more from Charles Sennott, tune into Boston Public Radio above.
