Brexit has failed for UK, say clear majority of Britons – poll
A new poll suggesting a clear majority of Britons now think Brexit has failed prompts wide-ranging critiques of the UK’s departure from the EU, from economic underperformance and trade friction to loss of freedom of movement and strain on the NHS. Commenters argue that promised benefits on sovereignty and immigration control have largely not materialised, while legal migration has hit record highs and political accountability for the outcome remains murky. Many see structural problems in how the referendum was designed and implemented, and debate whether the UK could or should seek closer alignment with, or eventual re-entry into, the EU under less favourable terms.
Perceived Outcomes of Brexit
- Many UK-based commenters report no tangible personal benefits; several list only negatives (loss of free movement, more red tape, weaker NHS staffing, roaming costs, trade frictions).
- Some argue the only “benefit” is clearer accountability: the government can no longer blame the EU for domestic failures.
- A minority suggest that judging “failure” needs hard comparative data vs similar EU countries, not polls, and note that “goals” of Brexit were never clearly defined.
Democracy, Populism and Referendums
- Strong thread that Brexit illustrates vulnerabilities of modern democracies to populist campaigns and disinformation.
- Multiple people argue referendums on complex, long‑term constitutional issues are easily hijacked and should be rare, with higher thresholds or multi-stage processes.
- Others counter that dismissing “the people’s will” as gullible is itself part of why such votes are lost.
Immigration and Labour Market Effects
- A key expectation of Brexit was lower immigration; instead legal net migration is at record highs, with composition shifting from EU to non‑EU.
- Some see this as government policy to fill labour shortages and hold down wages; others contest the scale or necessity.
- Loss of EU workers is blamed for NHS and agriculture staffing problems; some note specific shortages (doctors, nurses, seasonal workers).
Prospects of Rejoining or Deepening Ties with the EU
- Several think the UK will eventually rejoin or at least the single market/customs union, but only after a generation and on worse terms (fewer opt‑outs, likely euro/Schengen pressure).
- Others stress the EU now holds all the leverage and may not be keen to grant former “special perks.”
Polls, Public Opinion and Media
- Some trust the cited survey size and methodology; others are skeptical of UK polling in general, citing past implausible results from some firms.
- There is also criticism that media with clear editorial lines (e.g., strongly anti‑Brexit) repeatedly frame polls to reinforce pre‑existing narratives.
Economic, Trade and Sectoral Impacts
- Reported negatives include: export red tape, destabilisation of Northern Ireland’s position, re-routed Irish supply chains, UK losing trade preferences (e.g., cheese quota in Canada), and difficulties negotiating strong trade deals as a smaller market.
- A tongue‑in‑cheek list of “winners” includes genealogy firms, immigration lawyers, and certain media outlets.
Identity, History and Geopolitics
- Some frame Brexit as a rural vs urban (“country vs city”) revolt and as fallout from decades of UK politicians scapegoating the EU.
- A few argue UK imperial history and lingering resentment abroad make life outside the EU harder diplomatically.
- Side debates touch on EU’s own flaws (bureaucracy, nationalism, enlargement limits) and whether looser Anglo‑sphere alignment compensates for EU exit.