British businessman, former Royal Navy commander, says: We´ll leave the EU, if not now, than in a few years time. Europe is less democratic. You, the good people have it in your hands

The British next week shall decide their future in the EU. Last three opinion polls known in the Czech environment show that most people prefer the Brexit, i.e. Britain to leave the Union. Also the Sun daily backed the position. Can we say it is done, and over? That the 28 is becoming 27 again?

The polls are coming thick and fast now and 7 of the last 10 are in favour or Brexit. I can‘t predict the future but there has been a significant swing to Brexit; I do look forward to voting Leave on Thursday.

Czech media publish many opinions of various people, scenarios what happens if the British left the EU. It is no exception to hear that the UK may collapse, cut itself off, economically speaking, from the major market, and that the people will regret bitterly such a step. Do you think Brexit can impact Britain as suggested, or even your company since you are working internationally?

Great Britain is the 5th largest economy in the world; we purchase more goods and services from the Eurozone that the zone does from us. One example is that last year we purchased more German cars than the rest of Europe put together. Added to this is the fact that the Eurozone, as a percentage of world GDP, is declining and has been for a number of years, and also, unfortunately, suffers from severe youth unemployment. I am certain that the Europeans will not cut off their metaphorical nose to spite their trading face when it is in their over-riding interest to develop and maintain trade with countries who want to trade with them. I don’t think Europe is spiteful but let‘s wait and see.

As a company that works almost exclusively internationally, I see no issue or difficulty in joining the rest of the world in having to apply for visas to enter Europe, if that does become a reality, as I already do this for most other countries – this just requires a little more fore thought and time appreciation.

The Czech president expressed opinion the UK will not leave the Union because there is fear Scotland might separate itself from Great Britain, enter the EU, and UK would end up a much smaller country. Scenario most British would hate to see fulfilled. In your opinion is it realistic to believe that in case of Brexit Scotland would seek independence?

In the most recent elections in Scotland, the Conservative party came from generations of no representation in Scotland to become the second largest party behind the Scottish Nationalists. The reason is the Conservatives are the only national, unionist party and now it has almost half of the Scottish electorate voting for it – even if a re-run did go ahead, the result is by no means a certainty. It’s also worth noting that Scotland can’t unilaterally hold a referendum that is legally binding, that can only be given from the British government in Westminster and that has already announced there will be no re-run for a generation.

One of the Czech MEPs warns the Brexit would make Germany a governing power controlling the whole Europe. And that there would be no counterbalance presented now by the UK. Do you think the British should consider this question before they cast their votes? Aren´t they a bit responsible for the fate of the continent?

Germany is already the controlling power of Europe as Prime Minister Cameron’s so called renegotiation proved as did the handling of the Greek crisis before that. The British voice is defeated more times than wins in European debate so it’s clear that our influence is less than most think. But this control issue really does cut to the chase and is the heart of the question. The Brexit debate is all about who we are, where we belong, of where power is vested and how we hold the powerful to account. Great Britain has 800 years of parliamentary democracy within its culture; the people of our country hold the power, those elected officials wield it on their behalf and until the people decide they no longer want those elected officials. Europe does not operate in this way; it is fundamentally opposite to our preferred and well tested parliamentary system. It is, by comparison, undemocratic.

The good people of Europe are the only ones who can control their destiny and change, should they wish to, their own political systems.

Since your field of expertise is security, do you think Brexit can trigger calls for exit of other countries and perhaps cause demonstrations even riots in countries where governments would not allow referenda to take place? Everybody knows the citizens in some other EU member states are unhappy about the Brussels policies, mainly with the issue of Muslim migration to Europe. Can you comment on that, please? Could Brexit effect security situation internationally and internally (UK)?

Brexit will allow Great Britain to control its borders once again – this is vital for our own security and also for allowing our population to grow in a sensible, coherent, controlled fashion that will allow those new arrivals to integrate fully. Unlimited immigration is a significant social issue for all countries within Europe and it definitely poses a significant security issue as the tragic events in Belgium and France have demonstrated.

Former Czech defence minister (A. Vondra) warned Brexit can be a beginning of the end for both the NATO and the EU. That Britain will stop serving as a bridge between the US and Europe causing isolation or some kind of separation of the transatlantic partners. Do you believe Brexit can affect the NATO and its functioning?

NATO has kept the peace in Europe since its formation. I do not agree that Brexit will effect NATO; Great Britain is a significant member and will continue to be so as it is in our own interest that our European Allies are also secure. We have traditionally acted as the US’s aircraft carrier anchored off the coast of Europe, have done so for many years and will continue to do so into the future – Brexit will, if anything, strengthen the bridge.

Weakening of the EU through Brexit is said to become the Russian president Putin´s victory. Is that believed or considered in Britain?

It‘s not believed at all. The security of Europe is provided by NATO, not by the EU.

You are a professional in protection of people or assets to put it in very general terms. What do you make of the current migration crisis? People are afraid a lot of terrorists are entering Europe, Muslim radicals becoming so to speak more visible to the general public, suddenly we, in the Czech Republic, hear of no go zones, that we have been lucky so far not to have at home. For you as a security expert... is it good news for your business? What would you recommend the ordinary citizen do to be safe? The EU would like to curb gun ownership. Britain rid her citizens of guns some years ago. What was the result? Would the situation of individual security improve if people can carry guns and get training more easily?

The migration crisis is an existential threat to the EU; it has been made significantly worse by the unilateral, naive actions of Mrs Merkel. Unfortunately, this disaster has also demonstrated that the EU is today incapable of protecting itself; permanent disagreement, unilateral action backed up with collective inaction seems to be the order of the day.

Many, more qualified people than I, have warned of the security dangers directly related to the

migration crisis. Recent events in Europe have tragically proven these concerns to be accurate.

In terms of the very recent event of the murder of Ms. Cox, has the discourse changed? Do you perceive that the EU favouring group try to use the tragedy to win the public opinion?

I hope that people of every political persuasion will not even attempt to politicise this extremely tragic event. If any one group or individual did, I think that public opinion would move swift and decisive against those.

In general terms, the EU has always been a political movement with the aim of removing national identity and independence and replacing those aspects of nationhood with a new EU version. While this may have been discussed openly in Europe, it has never been discussed openly in Great Britain. It is not unreasonable to say that successive generations of British politicians have attempted to avoid this fundamental point by highlighting trivial benefits of membership for example; it’s easier to go on holiday. This deliberate deception is now being laid bare and its implications are something that even the Remain Brits do not want. So I believe that Brexit is inevitable and that it will happen in June 2016. However, should that not be the case, it will happen within the following 5 years due to the planned deeper integration of EU countries that will require significantly greater transfer of sovereignty. Brits, who by law will offered another referendum should further transfer of sovereignty be required, will simply not accept this. We are and always will be an independently minded island nation.