The Thinking ‘Kat: Brexit

On the 23rd of June 2016, Britain’s future was irrevocably changed (some might say ‘shattered’). The Conservative government of the time, under the stewardship of David Cameron, had followed through on a manifesto pledge to hold a referendum on EU membership. Following weeks of campaigning, Britain voted – by the slenderest of margins – to leave the European Union.

In the years that followed this disaster, Britain was gripped by internal political turmoil. David Cameron resigned in the wake of the vote, and his successor Theresa May was handed the poisoned chalice of making Brexit work. The trouble was, Brexit meant different things to different people. There was talk of soft Brexit, hard Brexit, and no-deal Brexit. The Brexiteer belief that Britain somehow ‘held all the cards’ in negotiations with the EU was swiftly dismantled. Leave campaigners sold a lie that deceived everyone, and eight years later, the grim reality of that lie has come home to roost.

The story goes that in voting for Brexit, the British people ‘took back control’. What we were taking control back from is a question without much of an answer. Did we find ourselves suddenly awash with new freedoms? No, we did not. Have Britain’s borders become more secure since Brexit, or less secure? What precisely do we have more control over?

Instead, Brexit has dented UK trade. Border checks have caused businesses huge headaches. The ‘oven ready’ deal that woeful former prime minister Boris Johnson bragged about has seen the UK’s economy shrink by £140 billion. It is said that the average Briton is £2,000 a year worse off, due to Brexit. Brexiteers insist it’s not due to Brexit, or that things will get better, or that it’s worth it for having greater sovereignty (a worthless argument, since we never lost any sovereignty to begin with). The reality is Brexit has failed.

What of the possibility of re-joining the EU? Brexiteers would have us believe this should not be up for discussion. Any notion of a second referendum is, in their view, a betrayal of the original vote, some eight years ago. Never mind that with new information and the benefit of experience, people should be entitled to change their minds. Never mind that we hold votes every few years to determine a new government, for the same reasons. Somehow Brexit has become an immutable, fixed element, apparently impossible to change.

The problem for Brexiteers is that younger generations, especially those who recall the referendum but were too young to vote in it, are inclined to vote to re-join the EU, if the opportunity ever arises. Polls show that if there was another referendum today, there is a very good chance Britain would vote to re-join. Unfortunately, the current Labour government seems committed to trying to make Brexit work, despite all the evidence that proves it isn’t. Here’s hoping that they choose to listen to the growing chorus of voices that want to see Britain reverse the terrible decision of Brexit.

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2 thoughts on “The Thinking ‘Kat: Brexit

  • 29 October 2024 at 00:17
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    A few years ago I read an article that claimed Britain whines and complains too much to be in an organization like the EU. Besides, the EU may not want to take Britain back.

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    • 29 October 2024 at 07:54
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      That is a very real possibility Stephen. We have well and truly shot ourselves in the foot over Brexit, and why would the EU then take us back with open arms? I wouldn’t blame them if they had doubts.

      Reply

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