Former British prime minister David Cameron does not regret holding the Brexit referendum because Britain never loved the European Union but just wanted the economic benefits of the bloc.
“I don’t regret holding the referendum because I think the issue of Britain and the European Union was poisoning British politics not just in my own party but more broadly,” Mr Cameron told the Arab Strategy Forum in Dubai yesterday.
“Britain never loved the European Union. I have never loved the European Union. The institutions of the European Union gave us trouble. We were in Europe for utility, for trade, for cooperation, for working together.”
The UK’s historic vote to leave the 28-member European Union on June 24 has unsettled the country after more than 40 years of membership.
Sterling plummeted, investor confidence was shaken, and the slow and unknown process of untangling the UK from the EU is taking a toll on the UK’s economy.
“Britain didn’t vote to leave the European Union because it was unhappy about free trade or because it was unhappy about trade deals – that has nothing to do with the argument.
“In the end Britain left, voted to leave because I think people thought we are not going to be able to have the control over our own affairs that we wanted if we stayed in this organisation,” said Mr Cameron.
Mr Cameron said that Brexit was unlikely to lead to other members leaving the bloc, despite the rise of populism and upcoming elections in countries such as France.
The French elections in particular will be important, where far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen is making waves in the euro zone’s second largest economy. She has hailed Brexit and promised if elected president to hold a “Frexit” referendum.
“We didn’t like the nature of the political union that’s why we left in the end,” said Mr Cameron. “Other countries, I don’t think do feel quite the same about Europe. They are more enthusiastic, about the European Union, so as a result I wouldn’t predict its breakup.”
As a result of Brexit, the European Union may change, but not necessarily for the better. “I think without Britain it (the EU) may become a little bit more protectionist, it may become a little bit more inward-looking and I’m afraid it will be less keen on the Atlantic relationship with the United States.”
dalsaadi@thenational.ae
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Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
What is Folia?
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."
Fire and Fury
By Michael Wolff,
Henry Holt
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
