So that’s how it is. Brexit has at last arrived. It took so long to put the decision on track because it was triggered by a referendum. As I see it, a referendum has a less than worthwhile function in a parliamentary democracy, in which MPs supposedly assume the role of representing the interests of citizens.

When a decision is taken by referendum for which MPs are not prepared, surely turmoil will arise.

Two elections had to take place over three years before the Brexit decision could be implemented. In this, it is immaterial whether the implementation was good or bad.

All too often, with a referendum it’s like one is playing Russian roulette, in which a bullet is lodged in a revolver holding six slots, and you must it at your head without knowing whether the trigger will be hitting the slot containing a bullet.

When David Cameron placed himself in this situation, he went on to pull the trigger.

In Malta, regarding the entry of Malta in the European Union, Dr Fenech Adami played the same game. But he had behind him the full political and logistic support of the European Union. The same did not happen when the British referendum was the issue.

And now Brexit is in force.               

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BRITISH MEPS

I was sorry for the British MEPs, especially members of the group of socialists and democrats. All sounded emotional and were depressed, though they did not all show or conceal it in the same way.

There was somebody who said or wrote this: as European MPs, the Brits were among the most eager to take on parliamentary work. They would participate in the process by which resolutions are finalised in a painstaking manner, and they continued to do so right up to the end. I had noticed this myself, at least in so far as the socialist group is concerned.

I have in mind for example the female co-ordinator for the socialist group in the petitions committee: she took over with full enthusiasm that assignment during the last six months, as if Brexit was not looming. (Now Alex Agius Saliba has replaced her.)

Obviously, I’m referring to anti-Brexit MEPs. Those deputies who were pro, mainly members of the Farage group and the British Conservatives, were exuberant.

***

LESSON

The European Union would be mistaken if it concluded that the UK’s departure from its ranks resulted from an evil manoeuvre intended to disrupt European unity.

The European “character” is greatly different from the ways of life that one finds in other continents. The European objective to attain “ever closer union” – as enshrined in the treaties – will continue to be considered by some national entities in Europe as potentially threatening to their way of life. They will continue to contest it for one reason or another. Yet they will remain as European as the staunchest federalists in the European Parliament.

The strategy that has been adopted... of moving towards this “ever closer union” in different sectors, with efforts that follow each other on a step-by-step basis... sounds prudent. It has ruled out the introduction of strong measures overnight.

On the other hand, it has given rise to suspicions that are not altogether unjustified. It will cotinue to do so. Is European Union being extended by stealth without taking into account the national interests of the individual countries concerned?

There’s a danger in this – that Brexit will not remain an isolated occurrence.