Exactly ten years ago this week, the United Kingdom held its most consequential and significant referendum in its history. After decades of membership in the European Union and its predecessors, the British populace approved leaving the bloc in the 2016 referendum. With a 72% turnout rate, it is clear that the issue of EU membership was of utmost concern to British voters, also evident by the rise of Nigel Farage’s UK Independence Party (UKIP) in the early 2010’s. Concerns regarding high immigration to the UK, the EU’s overreaching regulations strangling businesses, and required budget contributions to fund EU projects motivated right-wing voters to choose “Leave,” which ultimately won by a narrow margin under 4%. But did Brexit result in the accomplishment of the goals of the conservatives who campaigned so hard for it? Before Brexit took effect at the start of 2021, there was reciprocal freedom of movement of workers between the UK and all other EU countries. In other words, citizens of any EU member state could freely live and work in the UK, and vice versa. Massive amounts of immigrants from poorer countries in the former Warsaw Pact, such as Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria, took the opportunity to move to the UK after expansion of the EU eastwards in the 2000s. Major strains on public services and an increasingly competitive labor market in the UK resulting from this wave prompted the rise of anti-immigration populism. But after the end of free movement from the EU, net migration from non-EU countries surged as Boris Johnson’s government snuck in new immigration rules. In fact, this “Boriswave” of immigration in the early 2020s was the highest in British history, only exacerbating the effects of an already strained economy. And, considering that new arrivals are dominated by nationalities with radically different institutions and cultures from those of the British, such as Indians, Pakistanis, and the Chinese, it is safe to say that the demographic transformation of the UK is only accelerating. So, the preservation of western culture and values has not been accomplished. Did Brexit at least cut red tape for entrepreneurs? The European Union has historically represented a significant fraction of British imports and exports due to geographical proximity and virtually zero trade barriers, but this, too, has changed after Brexit. Since 2021, paperwork and bureaucracy relating to customs, differing regulations, and licensing has grown far more costly for British businesses since Britain is no longer treated as part of the European market. This has crippled many small businesses, especially those in agriculture, with many cutting exports to the EU altogether. If conservative politicians care so much about free markets and eliminating red tape, they should not have shrunk the market to which Brits previously enjoyed access. When Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson was mayor of London in 2016, he was notable for his “Brexit bus” and his assertion that the 350 million pounds per week that the United Kingdom sent to the EU each week should be used to fund the NHS instead. But this figure was highly misleading. This is merely equal to the amount Westminster sent to Brussels each week before accounting for the rebates the EU provides in return in budgets. When that is accounted for, the net fiscal impact is roughly halved. Even if it is a slight fiscal drain, the macroeconomic benefits of EU membership vastly offset this figure as Brexit is estimated to have cost the UK over 6% of its annual GDP. Despite the failure of Brexit to fulfill the wishes of conservatives across the UK, the Reform UK party—led by Farage—has dominated national polling over the past year. He alleges that the reason Brexit failed was because the Conservative party that was in charge of it. But if he truly believes that, it is strange that his party has adopted several prominent conservatives who were in charge of deciding Britain’s future following Brexit. If Brits want a true conservative alternative, they should consider Rupert Lowe’s Restore Britain party whose priorities include not only reversing the waves of mass immigration, but actively preventing such waves from occurring ever again. The party promises careful selection of immigrants based on cultural and economic benefit. Lowe will also impose economic conservatism by ending numerous public benefits for the few migrants he would allow to enter and by removing costly bureaucracy that strains independent contractors, freelancers, and small businesses. With a British general election due in the next three years, Restore Britain may have a shot at delivering a true Brexit.
By Edward Kim
Recently on June 19th, Juneteenth was celebrated for the 6th year as a federal holiday. In 2021, the holiday was established, celebrating the first day of enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation, in Galveston, Texas in 1865. Despite its relevance as the end of slavery, a multitude of conservatives such as the President himself have spoken against the holiday, pointing to it as a useless — and even woke — celebration that divides people and takes away from working hours. Arguably, however, these claims are counterintuitive as Juneteenth affects the masses ideologically more than we think. A primary group affected by this holiday is women. By denying Juneteenth, women are denying the very same freedom they themselves are fighting for — against systems of domineering oppression. Moreover, the holiday is presented as activism in a similar way women use to fight for their own rights. The celebration takes place over social media, fashions, and events. In treating Juneteenth as a dramatic display of “wokeness” and virtue signaling, women deny commercialism as a valid display of protest and recognition, consequently denying their primary mode of expression. Secondly, and perhaps shockingly, by slandering Juneteenth the lower-class communities of America slander themselves. Even more than in women’s rights, there is an overwhelming unity among lower-class people against power-based regimes that take away their free will, those that have financial and governmental dominance over their livelihoods. Juneteenth celebrates the same essence, a fight against greed-based executives who treated others as subhuman and denied them rights. As a low-income person, speaking of Juneteenth negatively grants power back to the same executives. Ultimately, a spotlight should be shined on the real reason why people are spreading hate about Juneteenth. Maybe it is not as much the function of the holiday, and more so that conservative media figures feel personally offended by others’ tendency to call out oppression in a way that forces them to be socially accountable and educated on minority rights.
By Megan Fincher
When Olivia Rodrigo announced her new music festival, Daisy Chain Fields, many fans focused on the lineup. The one-day festival, taking place on August 29 in Irvine, California, will feature performances from some of the biggest names in music, including Chappell Roan, Doechii, Mitski, Bikini Kill, Garbage, KATSEYE, Rachel Chinouriri, and special guests Stevie Nicks, Karen O, and Sarah McLachlan. What makes the festival stand out, however, is not just who is performing, but why the event is being created in the first place. Unlike many traditional music festivals, Daisy Chain Fields was designed as a nonprofit event centered on supporting women and girls. The festival features an all-women and female-fronted lineup, drawing inspiration from events such as Lilith Fair, the groundbreaking all-female music festival founded in the 1990s that celebrated women artists, while creating a modern space focused on community, creativity, and social impact. Rodrigo has described the festival as a long-time dream and an opportunity to bring women in music together while supporting causes that matter to her. According to the festival’s mission statement, Daisy Chain Fields was founded on the belief that “joy, community, and creativity can inspire meaningful change.” Organizers describe the event as more than a music festival, emphasizing opportunities for education, dialogue, and engagement around issues affecting women and girls. The mission also highlights a goal of helping young people connect with resources, support systems, and role models they may not otherwise encounter. More Than a Music Festival Beyond live performances, the event will also feature nonprofit activations, educational resources, community art experiences, local vendors, fan pop-ups, and interactive installations to encourage engagement and learning. Festival organizers say attendees will have opportunities to connect with organizations working across issues such as reproductive rights, maternal health, economic empowerment, domestic violence prevention, and gender equity. The festival is being produced by C3 Presents and Live Nation and is intended to serve as both an entertainment event and a platform for advocacy. Rodrigo has stated that she hopes the festival can bring people together through music while encouraging positive action beyond the event itself. Supporting Women and Girls One of the most notable aspects of Daisy Chain Fields is its fundraising mission. According to organizers, net proceeds from the festival will be donated to nonprofit organizations dedicated to advancing and advocating for women and girls. Several organizations involved with the festival include Planned Parenthood, the Center for Reproductive Rights, the National Women’s Law Center, Baby2Baby, Black Mamas Matter Alliance, the Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health, and other groups focused on health, education, economic opportunity, and gender equity. Rodrigo has also revealed that participating artists are not performing for profit, allowing more of the festival’s proceeds to support these organizations. The decision reflects the event’s emphasis on philanthropy and community impact rather than simply serving as another stop on the concert calendar. According to the festival’s mission statement, net proceeds will be directed toward organizations dedicated to advancing and advocating for women and girls, while also helping create opportunities for connection and support across generations and communities. The Role of Artists and Advocacy Daisy Chain Fields also highlights a growing trend of artists using their platforms for causes beyond music. In recent years, musicians have increasingly partnered with nonprofits, launched charitable initiatives, and used large-scale events to bring attention to social issues. Supporters argue that artists can introduce audiences to organizations and causes they otherwise may not have encountered. Others question how much influence celebrities should have in shaping conversations around social and political issues. Regardless of where people stand, events like Daisy Chain Fields demonstrate how entertainment and advocacy are becoming increasingly connected. Why This Matters Now The festival arrives at a time when many public figures are seeking ways to leverage their influence beyond traditional entertainment. Rather than focusing solely on performances, Daisy Chain Fields combines music, fundraising, education, and community engagement into a single event. These developments raise important questions moving forward: As Daisy Chain Fields prepares for its inaugural year, the festival represents more than a gathering of popular artists. It reflects a broader effort to connect music with philanthropy, education, and community engagement. Whether viewed as a concert, a fundraising initiative, or an advocacy platform, the event highlights how artists are increasingly using their influence to support causes that extend beyond the stage. As Rodrigo writes in the festival’s mission statement, “Daisies are wild and beautiful. As a chain, they are strong and unbreakable.” Sources Daisy Chain Fields
By Taylor Lopez
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