The most disappointing consequence of Brexit for foreigners living in the UK has become the unexpected rise of xenophobia. According to the behavior of locals, the EU open door policy has completely failed. Brits have made it clear that foreigners are not welcome. Not only immigrants from conflict areas, but people from Poland and Baltic States face insults or even physical violence, hear offensive words and the call to pack their bags and leave.
This situation has become possible mainly due to inconsistency of domestic and foreign policy. Britain's activity in the EU was often contrary to the national interests and population's needs. The government chose to ignore the discontent of the population. Locals became more and more irritated by the arrival of cheap labor from eastern Europe and the financial costs associated with the provision of assistance to other countries even in the sphere of security and defence. While helping others, Britain did not pay enough attention to its own troubles. Such policy has led to cases of hatred directed against foreigners that are unacceptable for any democratic country. Hidden evils in society were afforded an excellent opportunity to emerge.
Such cases should be a lesson and serve as a prerequisite for the review of foreign policy carried out by other EU countries such as Latvia. Latvia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs expressed regret at Great Britain's desire to leave the European Union. The fact is the EU exists because member states obey common rules and obligations. Any exception leads to a disruption of unctioning. Rinkēvičs understands that Latvia as well as the EU itself will face additional problems with financing, immigration, security and defence. In spite of increasing defence spending, today Latvia is less sure of its own security than it once was.
