Brexit has completely failed for UK, say clear majority of Britons – poll

[Chomper Higgot]

6 minutes ago, zhounan said:

They mean majority of wealthy Britons 

Quite the contrary.

[nauseus]

4 hours ago, RayC said:

 

It may be difficult but that is exactly what the various studies attempt to do. Imo the criticism of these studies is rarely more than a tautology: It's difficult to separate the effects of Brexit, therefore you can't conclude anything about the effects of Brexit.

 

Imo poor and lazy criticism.

 

 

The original report was indeed a few years ago but it is regularly updated.

 

 

I disagree. A few examples: The UK was one of the major influences in the formation of the Single Market and a strong supporter of the EU's attempts to forge trade deals. It can be argued be that the UK - together with France - largely dictated the EU foreign policy and diplomatic efforts. This was especially true when it came to defence issues.

 

 

It's true that with the expansion of the membership and more QMV, the influence of any one individual member state is lessened .... at least, in theory ...

but let's not pretend all member states are equal. France and Germany have more influence and power than Cyprus and Malta. When the UK was a member, it was one of the 'Big 3'.

 

Perhaps not. But the UK likes to think of itself as having a significant presence and influence on the world stage. In terms of size of the economy and population, the UK is somewhat smaller than Japan. As an individual nation, what real influence does Japan wield on the world state? 

 

Imo any influence that the UK had on the world stage was dependent on our membership of the larger bloc i.e. EU. Moreover, inside the EU we were of use to the US, outside of it less so.

 

 

I'm about to board a flight. You'll be pleased to know that I'll return to this point😂😉

 

Imo poor and lazy criticism - I wasn't actually criticizing rather pointing out a problem.

 

The original report was indeed a few years ago but it is regularly updated - I have not been directed to or following OBR reports. The OBR advertises itself as being independent but it was set up by a UK government, is funded by HM Treasury and led by ex Treasury and BoE people, supported by the CS. 

 

I disagree. A few examples: The UK was one of the major influences in the formation of the Single Market and a strong supporter of the EU's attempts to forge trade deals - but the UK was not a major influencer of the content of these deals and foreign and defence policies are not needed by pure trading blocs, rather by nation states. 

 

It's true that with the expansion of the membership and more QMV, the influence of any one individual member state is lessened .... at least, in theory ...- and in reality?

but let's not pretend all member states are equal - agree! 

France and Germany have more influence and power than Cyprus and Malta - er yes.

 When the UK was a member, it was one of the 'Big 3'. - but NOT a member of the biggest 2.

Perhaps not. But the UK likes to think of itself as having a significant presence and influence on the world stage. In terms of size of the economy and population, the UK is somewhat smaller than Japan. As an individual nation, what real influence does Japan wield on the world state? I take it that you mean stage? I don't agree with your version of what the UK '"likes". When the UK joined the "Common Market" there was no aspiration to wield influence around the world. The EU as a whole has never been strong enough to influence much of anything globally, as we have seen recently with Russia and Ukraine. 

 

Imo any influence that the UK had on the world stage was dependent on our membership of the larger bloc i.e. EU. Moreover, inside the EU we were of use to the US, outside of it less so. As you must have seen from recent events, the UK is still of far more "use" to the US than the EU is. I would call that poor and lazy criticism

 

Have a good flight.

[Hi from France]

On 1/1/2024 at 12:18 PM, placeholder said:

That's why it's best to look at their track record. And given that the polls seem to unanimously show Brexit is unpopular, your point seems untenable.

 

In hindsight, do you think Britain was right or wrong to vote to leave the European Union?

https://www.statista.com/statistics/987347/brexit-opinion-poll/

 

There is no rejoin only a re-apply

 

and I'm not sure Europeans want to take in a member who contributes one third of what they do (France and Germany contribute 1% of their gdp to the EU budget , while Britain contributes 0,4-0,7%).

 

If Britain wants to reap the benefits of the single market it won't be free and it will have to follow the same market rules as we do

 

And even that won't go down as easily to the brexiteers as Trump tariffs did

 

 

 

 

 

[RubenRemus]

On 1/1/2024 at 5:49 PM, The Cyclist said:

Or

 

Brexit has failed because too many are still in shock that it actually happened, and are doing their utmost to ensure that it has no chance of success.

 

The only true path is to rejoin the EU in their warped minds.

Or that people realised they were lied to and now don't trust the experts not to be lying again?

[RayC]

5 hours ago, Hi from France said:

There is no rejoin only a re-apply

 

and I'm not sure Europeans want to take in a member who contributes one third of what they do (France and Germany contribute 1% of their gdp to the EU budget , while Britain contributes 0,4-0,7%).

 

If Britain wants to reap the benefits of the single market it won't be free and it will have to follow the same market rules as we do

 

And even that won't go down as easily to the brexiteers as Trump tariffs did

 

 

 

 

 

 

Imo the overwhelming majority of EU member states would welcome the UK's readmission. 

 

They would be foolish not to. Amongst other things, the UK is the world's 6th biggest economy (by GDP) and a significant military power in Europe.

 

To paraphrase Michel Barnier: 'There were no winners with Brexit'.

[simon43]

Although I supported Brexit, I think at the time of the vote, neither the general public nor government figures actually had thought through the consequences of a leave vote.  Had they considered all aspects of what would be affected by a leave vote, I think the public would have voted to remain.

 

IMHO, the reason why the UK fails or has a negative outcome for some many things is quite simple - we are too honest and we stick to the rules.  Other countries pick and choose only those requirements or laws that will benefit them, and 'fudge' or simply ignore the rules that won't benefit them.  The UK blindly follows each and every requirement, seemingly ignorant that other countries pick and choose.

 

Oh for another Maggie who stood up to EEC officials and stuck to her guns for the benefit of the UK!

[KhunLA]

As a Yank, I thought it was a good idea, as being 'Independent' always is.   Don't know why, the EU giving the UK / GBP a good spanking was a surprise though.   Had to see that coming, to deter other countries from leaving also. 

[hotandsticky]

12 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Although I supported Brexit, I think at the time of the vote, neither the general public nor government figures actually had thought through the consequences of a leave vote.  Had they considered all aspects of what would be affected by a leave vote, I think the public would have voted to remain.

 

IMHO, the reason why the UK fails or has a negative outcome for some many things is quite simple - we are too honest and we stick to the rules.  Other countries pick and choose only those requirements or laws that will benefit them, and 'fudge' or simply ignore the rules that won't benefit them.  The UK blindly follows each and every requirement, seemingly ignorant that other countries pick and choose.

 

Oh for another Maggie who stood up to EEC officials and stuck to her guns for the benefit of the UK!

 

Whilst I fully agree with your comments I would still have voted for BREXIT. If you believe something is right, you shouldn't vote against it because it is difficult.

 

Cameron left himself nowhere to go after failing to get the expected concessions from the EU. The Tory party were then incapable of delivering what was offered with the vote. 

[Negita43]

Britain no longer “rules the waves” – Many people who voted for and promoted Brexit thought we still did.

Now they are finding out the reality of the 21^st Century.

[Hi from France]

On 5/12/2025 at 1:10 PM, RayC said:

 

Imo the overwhelming majority of EU member states would welcome the UK's readmission. 

 

They would be foolish not to. Amongst other things, the UK is the world's 6th biggest economy (by GDP) and a significant military power in Europe.

 

To paraphrase Michel Barnier: 'There were no winners with Brexit'.

No winners, but Brexit turned up pretty good for us and the EU as a whole, we have sooo many problems and challenges, it's good not to have the UK's.

 

 

Maybe a majority of EU member states would welcome the UK's readmission, but you need unanimity e.g. Spain would want Gibraltar back etc..

 

 

Re-join won't happen, and anyway even re-apply is out of the question : Starmer has been a huge disappointment but maybe the next summit will bring something ?

 

Quote

The UK should approach its trading relationship with the EU as a responsible nation, respecting shared rules without demanding the perks of membership. Sir Keir is doing that – a victory given past Brexit delusions. Britain need not rejoin the single market – freedom of movement remains politically unviable – but it can pursue a deeper customs partnership that reduces trade frictions and anchors regulatory cooperation without breaking Labour’s manifesto pledges.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/may/12/the-guardian-view-on-uk-trade-quiet-re-engagement-is-a-slow-fix-for-brexits-mistakes

 

 

 

  

5 hours ago, simon43 said:

Although I supported Brexit, I think at the time of the vote, neither the general public nor government figures actually had thought through the consequences of a leave vote.  Had they considered all aspects of what would be affected by a leave vote, I think the public would have voted to remain.

 

IMHO, the reason why the UK fails or has a negative outcome for some many things is quite simple - we are too honest

 

As a Frenchman I definitely have to agree on respecting the rules (but in the Britain that existed before Brexit, it's not the case anymore : most basic custom WTO procedures have yet to be implemented, not to mention Boris's promises like the channel bridge 🙂 ).

 

 

As for the negative outcome, I think most brits did not realize how advantageous is used to be being a EU member (Japanese transplants exporting 80% of the production to the EU, draining the whole financial industry to London, rebate contribution, vetoing UE decisions until the UK gets what it wants ...).

 

After Brexit, there is no deal like: we have a 47 year experience of the UK as a member and we do not want more of that.

 

Now how could the UK voters be that blind? You're supposed to be the pragmatists