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I was a remainer but unfortunately I don’t think rejoining would win a vote any time soon.
We had a good deal when we were in the EU and won’t get the same terms - and joining under the standard terms (Eurozone membership, common agricultural policy etc) would not be attractive. It’ll be harder fight to electorally to rejoin than it was to stay in, at least at the moment.
I think it’s more likely we will fudge rejoin by rejoining the single market, taking the rules without a say but it’s hardly any party’s priority. The tories have imploded and Labour dare not mention the EU as all they care about is winning the election this year. The EU just isn’t talked about as an electoral issue anymore.
Also I should say from within the UK, leaving the EU hasn’t felt particularly negative. Our economic problems started before we left the EU with the financial crisis in 2011, so we were used to "austerity"and anemic growth. Also while the country hasn’t grown it also hasn’t contracted, it’s stagnated. That’s not good but it’s not as impactful on ordinary people. And Covid had also been a distraction - a lot of economic harm has been blamed on Covid even though the EU and USA in particular have more than bounced back while the UK has only really gone back to baseline.
So for most UK citizens we haven’t seen the doom and gloom that was warned about specifically from leaving the EU, hence the lack of a push to rejoin.
I think it may be some years yet before rejoining the EU is on the cards. And in fairness there is a lot that could be done to improve growth even without rejoining the EU - so I suspect it’ll be ignored as an issue for at least the next parliament (5 years).
It’s always been my conviction that the English would rather crash their economy five times over than be one among equals. So I don’t think that we’ll see them anytime soon. Beyond specifically the English is another topic, however.
joining under the standard terms (Eurozone membership, common agricultural policy etc) would not be attractive
Why not? It would still be much, much better than not being in the EU, economically speaking. Is it about pride?
The UK thought it was getting a poor deal, when it had the most exceptions in the EU. It will still need another generation or two for the UK to realise that it is not the old empire anymore.
The referendum was 8 years ago but the Brexit took place 4 years ago
Some effects started before brexit was official. As institutions and individuals sought to minimize negative impact. I recall reading about european students leaving british universities pre brexit.
Depends on how you look at it. Some effects were probably visible even before the referendum just by announcing that. But on the other hand if you think “8 years ago is long enough that we should have seen all the effects by now” then the 4 year figure is probably more appropriate to make that evaluation.
I hope this is the example people keep in mind, when considering exit ideas elsewhere
As if populism would adress rational thoughts.
A lot of brexiters legit thought they’ll get to enjoy free travel within the EU, but not the EU citizens to the UK.
“We are building a wall and make them pay”
I think it needs to be more than that. Citizens absolutely cannot trust politicians any longer. 100% across the board full stop. If they tell you one thing you initial reaction should be massive skepticism. And then you go from there.
If you think you could ever trust anyone else outside maybe you closest friends and family to act in your best interest you are naive.
On the other hand if you think that all politicians are equally untrustworthy you are even more naive.
That’s literally what populists want you to believe.
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