Brexit Reckoning: UK Must Acknowledge ‘Abject Failure’ to Move Forward, Says Politico
LONDON – Britain is at a crossroads, needing a frank assessment of Brexit’s shortcomings to repair both its relationship with Europe and its internal political landscape, according to a new report from Politico. The publication’s analysis, released today, paints a stark picture of a project that has fallen far short of expectations, leaving the UK vulnerable and its future uncertain. This is a developing story, optimized for Google News and SEO to deliver breaking news directly to you.
The Weight of Unacknowledged Failure
Politico asserts that both the Conservative and Labour parties are treating Brexit as a “sacred cow,” avoiding a critical evaluation of its impact. This reluctance to acknowledge the scale of the failure, the report argues, is hindering the UK’s ability to forge a stable path forward. The Conservative party, which oversaw the withdrawal, is now recognizing the consequences, while Labour is taking initial steps toward reintegration – such as rejoining the Erasmus student exchange program – but neither is willing to fully admit the magnitude of the misstep.
Economic Realities Clash with Referendum Promises
The 2016 referendum was based on certain expectations that have not materialized. Contrary to hopes of economic benefits, the UK economy has grown slower than the EU’s since 2020. Immigration has also surged, reaching over 900,000 people in 2023, a result not anticipated by proponents of leaving the EU. Public debt remains high, exceeding 100% of GDP, aligning the UK with other European nations facing similar financial pressures.
Missed Opportunities and Strategic Blunders
The report highlights a focus on minor issues – like the status of EU laws – at the expense of deeper structural reforms needed to boost the UK’s economic competitiveness. Attempts to forge new trade deals, particularly with the US and Asia, have also yielded disappointing results. Instead of a favorable free trade agreement with the US, Britain accepted 10% trade tariffs for market access. Asia’s economic growth hasn’t translated into benefits for the UK, which now faces challenges from predatory Chinese policies and a global trend towards securing supply chains within national borders.
Defense Industry Impact and EU Relations
Brexit has also negatively impacted the UK’s defense industry, with the country failing to secure participation in the EU’s SAFE credit instrument, designed to support the development of the military-industrial complex. While European countries are open to closer ties, the UK’s unwillingness to acknowledge Brexit’s failures remains a significant obstacle. The core issue isn’t necessarily a push for re-entry into the EU, but rather an honest assessment of the damage done.
As Politico succinctly puts it, until the UK acknowledges that Brexit has diminished its standing, its relationship with Brussels and its domestic policy will remain unstable. The initial referendum in June 2016 saw 52% of Britons vote to leave the EU, a decision that came after 47 years of membership. The transition period ended on December 31, 2020, with the trade and cooperation agreement coming into force on January 1, 2021.
Stay tuned to Archyde for continuing coverage of this critical story and its implications for the future of the UK and its relationship with Europe. For more in-depth analysis of global political trends, explore our dedicated Politics section.
