许多言论表示反对英国离开欧盟

AS IT IS 2016-05-13 Many Argue Against Britain Leaving EU 许多言论表示反对英国离开欧盟

Many political and business leaders are arguing against Britain leaving the 28-nation European Union.

Thirteen former United States officials have urged Britons to reject calls to leave the EU. In a letter, they wrote that such a move would weaken Europe and harm Britain’s position in the world. The former officials once served as secretaries of state or defense¹, or as national security advisers².

Another letter, from five former heads of NATO, warned that Britain would lose influence if it left the EU.

British voters are to decide in a special election June 23 on whether to leave the EU. Opinion studies suggest that Britons are evenly split in opposing and supporting calls for Britain’s exit, or what is being called “Brexit.”

British Prime Minister David Cameron spoke³ about national security Monday. He linked the “Brexit” question to security and economic well-being⁴.

He said, “Can we be so sure that peace and stability on our continent are assured beyond any shadow of doubt? Is that a risk worth taking? I would never be so rash as to make that assumption.”

The prime minister said isolationism had never served Britain in the past. Cameron also said the economy would suffer if his country chooses to “turn its back” on the EU. He said, “The evidence is clear—we’ll be better off in, and poorer if we leave.”

Former London Mayor Boris Johnson is a Conservative member of parliament and supports Britain leaving the EU. Johnson said the alliance had changed, not Britain, according to the Reuters news service. He denied Cameron’s claim that leaving the EU would make the island nation less safe.

Political and business leaders speak out against a “Brexit”

If Britain exits the EU, many business leaders worry that London would lose its position as a major world financial center.

Last month, U.S. President Barack Obama said Britain would gain little by leaving the EU. Obama used an example of negotiating trade deals. He said that if Britain were outside the EU, it would not be able to negotiate a trade deal with U.S. officials more easily.

"The UK (United Kingdom) would not be able negotiate something with the United States faster than the EU," Obama said.

Nearly 80 percent of Britain’s economy is related to service industries such as finance and insurance. Lloyd’s of London is a provider of insurance services around the world. The company’s chairman, John Nelson, said staying in the EU is good for his business.

Last week, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe warned that his country may not be able to invest as it has in Britain if it leaves the EU. He said, “A vote to leave would make the UK less attractive as a destination for Japanese investment.”

Abe said about 1,000 Japanese companies are doing business in Britain, and they employ 140,000 people. He added that many companies do business in Britain because it is a gateway⁵ to the EU.

Words in This Story

assure – v. to make something sure or certain

assumption – n. something that is believed to be true or probably true, but not known to be true

isolationism – n. the belief that a country should not be involved in agreements with other countries

exit – n. something that is used as a way out of a place

insurance – n. an agreement in which someone makes payments to a company and the business promises to pay money if the person dies or is injured

destination – n. a place to which someone is going

gateway – n. an opening in a wall or fence

NATO – n. short for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization

1 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

2 advisers   

顾问，劝告者( adviser的名词复数 )； （指导大学新生学科问题等的）指导教授

参考例句：

• a member of the President's favoured circle of advisers 总统宠爱的顾问班子中的一员
• She withdrew to confer with her advisers before announcing a decision. 她先去请教顾问然后再宣布决定。

3 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

4 well-being   

n.安康，安乐，幸福

参考例句：

• He always has the well-being of the masses at heart.他总是把群众的疾苦挂在心上。
• My concern for their well-being was misunderstood as interference.我关心他们的幸福，却被误解为多管闲事。

5 gateway   

n.大门口，出入口，途径，方法

参考例句：

• Hard work is the gateway to success.努力工作是通往成功之路。
• A man collected tolls at the gateway.一个人在大门口收通行费。