The United Kingdom (UK) has been rocked by yet another dastardly attack, this time on the London Bridge and Borough Market, and with the general elections of June 8 not far, the question doing the rounds is: What will be the verdict of the people of the UK? Will they still back their year-old decision to leave the EU or to stay back to strengthen their security? It's a very tricky situation, to say the least.
In less than two weeks ago, the country's political parties had suspended the campaigning for the election after 22 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack at a music concert in Manchester. This time, Prime Minister Theresa May has come under big pressure to postpone the polls though there is also a section which feels such an act will only embolden the terrorists.
Also read: London twin terror attacks: Seven killed, 3 suspects shot dead at London Bridge and Borough Market
In April, a man drove a car into pedestrians in Westminster and stabbed an unarmed policeman at the gates of the Westminster Palace which means the UK has become vulnerable to relentless attacks and its much-vaunted intelligence has failed miserably.
Also read: Manchester concert terror attack: Is UK still backing the idea of Brexit?
As the May govt strives for Brexit deal, terror poses fresh threats to UK
These attacks in the UK will raise fresh concerns for the May government, which is solely focusing on the tough deal to walk out of the European Union and also called the snap elections to strengthen its own hands. There are reports that the government had erred in reducing the terror threat level which could force the anti-Brexit camps to ask what guarantee the UK could give of securing its own citizens by going alone.
In fact, the Brexit episodce has shown the entire political leadership of the country has been found to be clueless about what it intends to do and with Prime Minister May's lead over Labour Party's Jeremy Corbyn taking a sharp dip, one doesn't really ignore the possibility of the former losing the gamble she took by calling an election years before the schedule, just like her predecessor David Cameron. If May really loses, what will the UK's new leadership do in the face of the twin challenges -- Brexit and terror?
Alternative thoughts can come up even though reversing Brexit will not be easy
In these chaotic circumstances, the terror attacks can really turn things towards something unexpected. Even if May loses, it will not be easy for the political leadership of the UK to reverse the Brexit procedure for it was something which was set off through a referendum and only another referendum can take things to the opposite direction. But with the political leadership of the country failing to ensure security to its people, there is a high possibility of a fresh thinking emerging that the UK's future might not be safe outside the EU. Economy is important of course but not more than the very existence of life.
The issue of terror will now get mixed with the Brexit sentiments and no matter who wins the June 8 elections, it will be a wait and watch game for them to see which way the people of Britain are intending to go. For May, however, a win could be as challenging as a defeat for not Brexit but also making the UK's defence foolproof is what the people will want their government to do.
The election of 2017 will demand more flawless judgment from the people of the UK than the referendum of 2016 since they will have to keep in mind whether their country is more safe inside or outside the EU. There have been no indications on that front yet but going by the uncertainty that prevails in the UK at the moment, the results of June 8 elections will be immensely interesting.
