THE European Union inspires hopes for peace in the world. Earlier, European wars had engulfed the entire world. Britain’s EU membership brought socio-economic advancement to Europe, including the UK.

Driven by the myths of sovereignty and fear-mongering, the ultra-right won the referendum threatening Britain’s possible break-up. Scotland, Northern Ireland, cosmopolitan London, and the young voted against Brexit, while many of the old generation fell to the negative demagogy of nationalists.

It is unfortunate that a large segment of the UK population fell for the Trump mindset. It is bad news not only for the UK and Europe but also for the whole world, particularly the immigrant communities living in the UK, Europe and the US.

In fact, immigration created mutual benefits. It is high time that this evil tide was reversed to save humanity.

Mahmud Ahmad Akhtar

Rawalpindi

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2016