Professor Catherine Gegout (University of Nottingham) gave a presentation on Brexit.

First, Professor Catherine Gegout addressed the divisions within Britain following the Brexit referendum. Up to 60% of young people aged 18-24 supported Britain remaining in the EU, while over 55% of those over 50 – leaning towards conservatives – supported Brexit. Different regions of the Kingdom also witnessed clear disagreements. While the majority of people in London and Scotland supported the UK remaining in the EU, most people in other regions chose Brexit. Regarding income, the majority of the middle class and above chose the EU, while the "poor" and unemployed in Britain – facing competition from immigration – chose Brexit. 57% of those with university degrees chose to remain, while the majority of those with only secondary school education or lower chose Brexit.

Professor Catherine Gegout

The presentation also analyzed the misconceptions of Brexit supporters. They argued that Brexit could help Britain avoid immigration, but in reality, more non-EU immigrants entered the UK, and immigrants from the European Free Trade Area contributed 34% more in taxes than they received in benefits between 2001 and 2011. They also argued that the British economy could survive without the EU, but in reality, Britain's Gini inequality coefficient (ranked in the 30-35 group in 2014) had no correlation with the EU. They argue that leaving the EU will strengthen democracy in the UK, but in reality, leaving the EU would mean the loss of many benefits for the British people, such as freedom of movement, education and residence, healthcare, education, and employment. Furthermore, they fail to realize that Brexit could trigger the disintegration of Britain itself due to the secession of Scotland and Northern Ireland, and simultaneously fuel a wave of far-left, anti-EU politics in the UK, diminishing its prestige and influence in Europe.

Participants in the session engaged in group discussions led by Professor Catherine Gegout.

Finally, Professor Catherine Gegout emphasized the negative impacts of Brexit on the UK's economy, trade relations, foreign policy, and social life. Economically, large companies based in the UK will leave for Frankfurt or Paris; and according to estimates from organizations such as the OECD and CBI/PwC, the UK will experience negative growth (from -1% to -7%) after leaving the EU. In terms of trade relations, the UK will have to establish trade agreements with other countries, losing free trade within the EU, while the EU accounted for 15% of total world trade in 2013. In terms of foreign relations, the UK will have reduced influence in European foreign policy. The UK will also suffer significant social losses in terms of jobs, wealth inequality, extremism, racism, and social welfare. Meanwhile, despite losing a major power like the UK and some EU companies facing difficulties operating in the UK, the EU has maintained stability under the leadership of France, Germany, and Italy.