Saturday, May 11, 2024

The Economist this weekend A special edition on Brexit regret - May 11th 2024

 

The Economist

Read in browser

MAY 11TH 2024

The Economist this weekend

A special edition on Brexit regret



Adam Roberts
Digital editor

Nothing has divided the British public more painfully in my lifetime than the decision to leave the European Union. I know from personal experience how family members and friends fell out over their opposing views of the Brexit referendum. The years of political and economic uncertainty that followed, along with the “hard” version of divorce from the EU that eventually resulted, have cost Britain dearly.

In the referendum in June 2016, 52% of voters were in favour of leaving the EU. No longer. As our recent story explains, polls show most Britons now regret the decision. Is it odd, therefore, that Brexit won’t be a big issue in the general election this year? Not really. Nobody wants to reopen old wounds. Polls suggest Labour will enjoy a smashing victory—in part because the party rarely talks about the EU. There’s much else for voters to worry about, in any case, from a sluggish economy and a struggling National Health Service to an overstretched army and the disappearance of lonely-hearts ads.

If you are a subscriber and want to stay updated on our Britain coverage, sign up to Blighty, our weekly newsletter. 

First month free

Get digital access to independent global analysis

Start trial
 

Editor’s picks

A selection of must-read articles

Why most people regret Brexit

A rare Brexit dividend

Jeremy Clarkson, patron saint of the Great British bore

Without realising it, Britain has become a nation of immigrants

Can you build a British voter?

Britain’s armed forces are stretched perilously thin

Online dating spells the end of Britain’s lonely-hearts ads

The most typical place in Britain is Basildon

Also from The Economist

Free to receive

Sign up for our daily newsletter

The Economist today, which includes a Sunday edition, brings you the best of our journalism, handpicked by editors.

No comments:

Post a Comment