Britain Stuck with a Failed Brexit, Now What? Experts Weigh In on Three Ways to Fix It.
The UK's Brexit debacle has left both citizens and leaders at an impasse. The 2016 vote was meant to be a historic moment of self-determination for Britain, but instead, it has led to a protracted period of uncertainty, with no clear way forward in sight. As the economy continues to suffer from the fallout, politicians are now forced to confront the reality that Brexit may never deliver on its promises.
One solution is to take a step back and assess the damage caused by Brexit. According to recent estimates, leaving the EU has cost the UK 6-8% of GDP per capita. This is a stark reminder of the economic costs of Brexit and highlights the need for a more pragmatic approach to our relationship with Europe.
Another key factor in determining Britain's future with Europe is trade. While some have suggested that rejoining the customs union or single market could be a viable option, others argue that these proposals come with significant drawbacks, including giving up independent trade deals and taking on additional regulatory burdens.
The problem lies not with the idea of seeking a better deal for British businesses, but rather with the lack of clear thinking and strategic planning from those in power. Labour's failure to develop a coherent vision for our relationship with Europe has left opponents of Brexit feeling vindicated, while supporters of Remain are left wondering what went wrong.
So how can Labour square this circle? One way forward is to commission a comprehensive Brexit impact analysis, chaired by external experts, similar to the strategic defence review. This would provide much-needed data on the biggest single factor affecting growth and put an end to the debate about the economic benefits of Brexit.
Another crucial step is for the government to approach next year's negotiations with Europe clear that it is looking for a deal offering "more for more", with everything up for discussion โ not just because we want better trade but because, in a world shaped by Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, Britain and Europe need each other more than ever.
Finally, parliament must be brought into the discussion. Our future with Europe is yet to be debated formally under this government at all, let alone the possibilities of a revised deal. Labour must confront those blocking the tradeoffs that would help British businesses by saying now they will put a mandate for that new relationship in the next manifesto.
The right answers on Europe are not easy, nor quick โ but they do exist. It's time for politicians to stop making promises and start delivering on their commitment to improve Britain's relationship with Europe. Only then can we hope to salvage something from this mess and build a better future for our country.
The UK's Brexit debacle has left both citizens and leaders at an impasse. The 2016 vote was meant to be a historic moment of self-determination for Britain, but instead, it has led to a protracted period of uncertainty, with no clear way forward in sight. As the economy continues to suffer from the fallout, politicians are now forced to confront the reality that Brexit may never deliver on its promises.
One solution is to take a step back and assess the damage caused by Brexit. According to recent estimates, leaving the EU has cost the UK 6-8% of GDP per capita. This is a stark reminder of the economic costs of Brexit and highlights the need for a more pragmatic approach to our relationship with Europe.
Another key factor in determining Britain's future with Europe is trade. While some have suggested that rejoining the customs union or single market could be a viable option, others argue that these proposals come with significant drawbacks, including giving up independent trade deals and taking on additional regulatory burdens.
The problem lies not with the idea of seeking a better deal for British businesses, but rather with the lack of clear thinking and strategic planning from those in power. Labour's failure to develop a coherent vision for our relationship with Europe has left opponents of Brexit feeling vindicated, while supporters of Remain are left wondering what went wrong.
So how can Labour square this circle? One way forward is to commission a comprehensive Brexit impact analysis, chaired by external experts, similar to the strategic defence review. This would provide much-needed data on the biggest single factor affecting growth and put an end to the debate about the economic benefits of Brexit.
Another crucial step is for the government to approach next year's negotiations with Europe clear that it is looking for a deal offering "more for more", with everything up for discussion โ not just because we want better trade but because, in a world shaped by Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, Britain and Europe need each other more than ever.
Finally, parliament must be brought into the discussion. Our future with Europe is yet to be debated formally under this government at all, let alone the possibilities of a revised deal. Labour must confront those blocking the tradeoffs that would help British businesses by saying now they will put a mandate for that new relationship in the next manifesto.
The right answers on Europe are not easy, nor quick โ but they do exist. It's time for politicians to stop making promises and start delivering on their commitment to improve Britain's relationship with Europe. Only then can we hope to salvage something from this mess and build a better future for our country.