The EU has become the scapegoat for Britain's problems - but we will miss the unity it produced

 There are certain days that feel significant. That you know in years to come will remain in your mind. What you were doing, where you were, how you felt. When it's a day that sees the first phase of separation of an albeit fractured 47-year relationship between the UK and EU, it feels especially important. Perhaps that's because it is. 

It was never meant to be like this. When Edward Heath finally took the UK into the European Economic Community in late 1972, it came with a promise of economic stability, characterised by closer relations with our European neighbours. It was unquestionably Heath's most noteworthy achievement. When ratified by a public vote in 1975, it appeared to mark the start of a strong and effective relationship that would further unite European politics after the implosions of the early 20th century.

Underneath this legal and economic agreement promising so much, for many politicians and people, British Eurosceptism still lingered. There was no force to compel Britain towards European ideals; we opted out of joining the creation of the Euro in 1979, many MP's rebelled against the Maastricht Treaty in 1992 causing chaos in Parliament, and were fervent critics of the European Court of Human Rights in 2013. Yet countless politicians saw the EU as a major factor in restricting the autonomy of the UK.

Perhaps our attitudes aren't as similar to Europeans as we thought when we officially joined in 1973. Those show that it is the opposite - the EU has given us leeway.  We've always been a thorn in the side of it. These problems were never presented to the EU by France, Germany, Italy and the like. Finally, that relationship has cracked. Was it simply a mistake to join in the first place?

Whatever your political view, I don't think anyone can argue that. Despite our troublesome nature within the EU, the 47-year period has been an unmitigated success. It has been a simpler way of strengthening our trading relations with Europe, increasing social provisions and developing humanitarian interests.

The last 50 years have seen developments in all of aspects of life and whilst these cannot all be attributed to the EU itself, the symbol it represents is more significant. In a diverse world, with troublesome world politics, from the problems posed by the Cold War to combating terrorism and authoritarian, the EU has at least represented unity.

I have talked about the need for this togetherness before, and even if it didn't exist within the EU, I believe it is the only method of solving all that we hate in life. Poverty, suffering, war. We cannot find solutions to this without international solidarity.

For all the social and economic issues we have with the EU, it is not now those that have made people disillusioned with it. Our concerns came primarily through the centralisation of the organisation itself, and the unique power held by individuals in Brussels. Politicians campaigning for Brexit centred on the corrupt nature of the EU and the ability we would have to "take back control" of our country. The focus was national unity - the opposite of what the EU represented.

The EU is undeniably a far from perfect organisation, it has many faults. But that is true for all organisations. But is it beneficial to us to go it alone, invoking that "war spirit" that we pride ourselves as having? Only time will tell.

Because that's the thing about Britain isn't it? We have a strong sense of national unity, and a distrust of our friends on the continent. In that sense, we are quite unique. Northern Europeans have more fluid relationships; they learn multiple languages, embrace other cultures, accept their own shortcomings. Perhaps due to our standing; the Channel that separates us from Europe may only be geographically insignificant, but politically it seems meaningful.

I have previously expressed apathy about leaving, but on significant days like this I can't express my wistfulness enough. Probably due to my idealistic nature, the global, wide-reaching problems are the most important to me. Which is why sacrificing international unity for our own interests of a political fantasy where we try to fight our own battles as an island and prosper doesn't sit well with me.

Again, I don't like to undermine the opinions of people who voted for Brexit, nor will go to the lows of calling them stupid like many on social media love to. But people have been sold an unrealistic dream by charlatan-like politicians who's first interest is their own political career and monetary interests.

I am baffled that with all the problems in our country and indeed the wider world, many of us have been persuaded that the EU is biggest. The existence of food banks suggest we are not as much of a distributive society as we should be. Alarming suicide rates indicate that people are simply not happy with the society we have created. Levels of knife crime imply that many become alienated through the lack of opportunities offered to them.

But supposedly the EU is the problem. Again, it is not perfect and needs reform, but leaving likely helps us little. If we think that any of the three issues mentioned before will be solved from leaving the EU, we are completely misinformed. It says a lot that many exuberantly celebrated last night when nothing has yet changed. It will be 11 months until the trade deals come into place, before change is truly enacted.

Although I hope I am wrong, I think it will be those who are rejoicing today who are most affected by Brexit. The politicians will get off scot-free. David Cameron has already made over £1 million in publicising his political career, Boris Johnson and Theresa May could do similar if they wished. It is the poor that probably will be hampered.

It is rare you get a day that has this much of an emotional impact. Ironic really, given its futility. For better or for worse, leaving the EU impacts everyone's futures. We have convinced ourselves that it is the biggest priority, despite all the problems throughout the world, which have become especially prevalent in the past month.

I remember the day we voted to leave the EU as clear as day, even three and a half years later. I'll remember today for three and a half years. And depending on the consequences, potentially a long time more.