Summary of Key Points
Ten years have passed since the UK voted to leave the EU, and the promise of "taking control of its own destiny" has not been fulfilled. The cost of living for ordinary people has soared (milk, energy, and parking fees have doubled), while businesses face increased costs in cross-border trade and slower logistics. Although the sources of immigration have changed, the total number of immigrants remains the same. Six prime ministers have taken turns, yet no one has been able to solve the underlying problems. Nowadays, most people regret leaving the EU and wish to rejoin or strengthen cooperation with it, but there is still a political deadlock.
1. A Shrinking Wallet: The Cost of Living Has Increased Dramatically After Brexit
For ordinary Britons, the most immediate effect of Brexit has been that everything has become more expensive. Take Kevin, a restaurant owner, as an example:
- Daily Expenses: Five years ago, two liters of milk cost less than £1; now it’s nearly £2. Cucumbers have gone from 50 pence to £1, almost doubling in price.
- Energy Bills: Winter electricity and gas bills have risen from £50 to £150, tripling in cost.
- Transport Costs: Parking fees in London have increased from £5 per hour to £8, and the congestion charge will rise from £15 to £18 in 2026. Failing to pay a fine costs £80.
While the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict have also contributed to rising prices, many people attribute these increases directly to Brexit.
2. Businesses Struggling: Cross-Border Transactions Have Become More Challenging
Brexit has disrupted the convenience of the EU single market, causing significant problems for businesses:
- Slower and More Expensive Supplies: Kevin’s Chinese restaurant used to receive ingredients from Europe in a week; now, additional customs clearance and inspections are time-consuming and costly.
- Additional Taxes on Cross-Border Purchases: He bought a second-hand German coffee machine on eBay and had to pay an extra £300 in taxes, which was almost as much as the cost of the machine itself.
- Research Shows: A study by the London School of Economics found that additional customs procedures cost British families an extra £210 per year on food. UK agricultural exports to the EU have decreased by nearly 40%, affecting farmers as well.
3. Immigration Has Not Decreased; Only the Sources Have Changed
The promise to "control borders and reduce immigration" after Brexit has not been met:
- Increase in Total Immigrants: Before Brexit, there was a net migration of 320,000 people per year; in 2023, this number reached a historic high of 940,000.
- Change in Sources: While EU (Eastern European) immigrants were once the majority, more immigrants now come from India, Pakistan, and Nigeria. For example, Birmingham’s Chinatown has seen a shift from Eastern Europeans to people from South Asia and Africa.
The attempt to "keep immigrants out" has only resulted in a change in their origins, with no reduction in immigration pressure, and the UK has also lost access to cheap labor from the EU.
4. Why Brexit Was Decided?
The 2016 referendum was not an accident:
- EU Crisis: The EU was facing a debt crisis (countries like Greece were in debt) and a refugee crisis, leading people to question its reliability.
- Brexit Campaigners’ Tactics: They used simple slogans to appeal to voters, such as " Spending £350 million per week on the EU when it could be used for the NHS," simplifying complex issues into the idea that money was being stolen.
- Political Calculations: Then-Prime Minister Cameron conducted the referendum to resolve internal party divisions, hoping to win by showing a clear stance. Voters were more convinced by the immediate losses (money spent on the EU) than the potential risks of staying in the EU.
5. More and More People Regret Brexit, but What’s the Way Forward?
Nowadays, most Britons want to reverse their decision:
- Public Opinion Surveys: 55% support rejoining the EU, and 70% want closer cooperation with it. 20% of those who voted for Brexit regret their choice.
- Ordinary People’s Struggles: Kevin has started using a thermos flask to save on heating costs and reduces the use of his oven. Student Erik takes multiple part-time jobs to cover living expenses. Some people carry their groceries home in plastic bags from supermarkets due to price increases.
- Political Deadlock: Six prime ministers have succeeded, but no one has been able to address the consequences of Brexit. Even after Starmer’s resignation, it seems unlikely that the current prime minister will change the situation. Issues such as rising costs, supply chain disruptions, and taxes remain unresolved.
Ten years after Brexit, the initial promises have turned into daily frustrations, and the UK is still dealing with the fallout of this "political experiment."