Is Britain safer in or out of the European Union? This one’s a no brainer

The belief that, in an ever-more interconnected world, Britain’s geography could somehow allow its government to pull up the drawbridge, as if Britain is some sort of impenetrable fortress, is simplistic and old-fashioned.

Modern terrorism is a transnational threat. Empowered by the tools of globalisation, a terrorist based in a foreign safe haven can direct attacks on the UK without getting anywhere near British territory, radicalising the country’s own citizens through online propaganda and manipulation.

As a primary target of Islamic extremism, Britain benefits significantly from its counter-terrorism partnerships across the EU.

Today’s global threats transcend traditional 20th-century notions of borders and nationality. The multilateral partnerships of the EU, as opposed to the outdated small island isolationism of Brexit campaigners, offers the best security for the UK in this context.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: What effect might terrorist atrocities in Paris have on UK’s EU referendum? http://www.europeansources.info/record/what-effect-might-terrorist-atrocities-in-paris-have-on-uks-eu-referendum/

ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

---