To ask for the tangible benefits to you from Brexit, whichever way you voted

[Bunnyfuller]

I genuinely want to know, what’s improved? Specific to you/your family?

is Brexit as it is what you thought it would be, or if you voted Remain, has it been more positive than you expected?

anyone calling it ‘goady thread’ is possibly saying Brexit isn’t going that well?

I think middle class people feeling put out because they can't afford cheap labour for their extension, is a bit crass

Ive never had an extension done in my life. But I have had to call a plumber to change a broken radiator, or a builder to fix a damp problem, a friend i was speaking to the other day has a front door that sticks and needs re hanging. Can’t get a chippy for love nor money so has to make do and now kicks the door open as it’s the only option. You can try and make this a culture war but that’s not the reality of industries grinding to a halt because the workers aren’t available.

What is the point of this thread? An outpouring of hate aimed at Brexiters?

No, many people who voted remain, like me, genuinely do want to understand what the supposed benefits are. Many of us were asking Leave supporters throughout the entire campaign why they wanted to leave and got nothing back aside from xenophobia or vague mutterings about "sovereignty" or "taking back control". I don't want to believe that a significant percentage of my country's population voted based on xenophobia and racism, I would much rather believe that there were coherent, reasoned, logical arguments for leaving that I just hadn't thought of. But I never heard a single convincing argument that wasn't based on outright lies or misinformation that is easily disproved with even the most basic fact-checking. Now we've left and no, I'm not "over it" because I'm seeing the negative impacts of Brexit everywhere around me. Others are too, hence OP wanting to know what the benefits are.

The vote was a long time ago, Brexit is in the history books at this point

Brexit is "in the history books"?? Don't be ridiculous, it isn't over, we're still in the process of finding out what it actually means and how it works in practice and the impact will be felt for years to come.

Maybe if someone could coherently explain what the benefits of Brexit are I and others would "get over it". But the fact that posters like yourself are still resorting to "you lost, get over it remoaners!" and insisting that 2016 is ancient history instead of explaining what those benefits actually are doesn't inspire confidence that they exist.

People can support the strikes but feel put out and they can also feel anger towards directors

this is the problem why is the response from you so black and white

at work the strikes have been pain to work around for myself management for others getting into work, at first they were supportive less so as time is going on and that it’s not just strike days that it’s impacting people

Brexit and its effects are going to go on and on for years. I really don’t know what people mean when they say ‘we have to make it work’ or ‘move on’. Are we just to pretend that we haven’t polluted all our waterways? Should I just shrug and smile when my student tells me her Visa application for a job in Italy has been denied, so she can’t do her YA? And lets pretend there’s no issue at Dover because of increased time to check passports. What do people actually want when they say ‘move on’? That we shouldn’t be impolite enough to mention the very significant problems that have arisen? It’s all very ‘Don’t Look Up’.

I agree. I don't think we should move on or whatever. I would love it if this could lead to a national good faith debate about what it all means and how did we end up so polarised.

I sincerely doubt that is going to happen though. All people want to talk about is how vindicated they are.

It's all very depressing and just makes me feel so apathetic about everything really.

I do think where I live at the moment (expensive south east) the reduction in available labour from Europe is pushing up wages in certain sectors at the bottom . While I voted remain overall, I did think we had an oversupply of labour and I do hope it improves pay at the lower end of the spectrum.

However I can imagine any benefit from that will probably be offset by other costs/negatives.

Maybe those saying 'get over it' might not feel quite so sanguine about it if they had their income reduced by 40%, had lost a business or had their retirement plans completely busted. They too might be out there saying 'where's the benefits/what's the purpose

I appreciate some people out there are earning a little better because of it- but that's to the detriment of other people earning a lot worse, businesses struggling and how does it benefit a nurse or a teacher financially?? The rest of us have now got hugely increased prices - some Brexit related, some not.

I suspect too there will be some adjustments here in wages levels when the Tory's open the floodgates to non EU immigration in shortage industries or bring in 'work for any benefits' type schemes again-

I sort of agree, though in a lot of cases I think it’s been so bad, people would need to be saints not to voice anger. But what does bother me is that all this sniping amongst ourselves deflects from the very real anger that should be directed full force at the likes of Johnson and Farage.

They haven't had any plain flour for about a month

Nothing to do with the breadbasket of Europe having been invaded by its neighbour? The grain ships that couldn't leave Odesa were stuck because of Brexit, were they?

Not that I've noticed any shortages of anything really. The refill shop was out of candied peel for a bit though.

I asked my large local bicycle shop why they can't get Shimano parts or various makes of tyre (but i do see them for sale & cheaper in mainland europe).. Response was "Most European importers are based in the Single Market, they supply them first now, we get whatever is left, plus its a PIA importing into the UK"

I think this applies to a lot of stuff the UK imports via the EU.

I think we have ended up so
polarised mainly from the impact of the 2008 financial crash

it has started before then huge areas of the uk life just hadn’t improved wages were stagnant for years, people working full time were not earning much more than on benefits while it was booming in many parts especially London

companies could take advantage of cutting wages through having cheap labour

along comes the crash the government suddenly find money to bail the banks out yet they carry on as before (let’s not forget the bonus scandles) and it looks like the government are hand in hand with the banks, add in MP expenses scandal among others and there is less and less trust in our politicians, where are those that just work at being MP’s

many felt ignored or just left aside and in walks Farage with his man down the pub who repeatedly tells everyone he is listening - our MP’s were not this was a home goal people were desperate for change neither Labour or the Tories/coalition provided that

the writing was on the wall for Brexit it was all there for the taking only a good campaign was needed and to be headed by someone who crosses party appeal

if our MP’s had all being doing their jobs as they should have been we wouldn’t be in this mess

Indeed.

Thick racists vs wokie snowflakes.

Who benefited from that narrative?

The polarisation is horrific now. Brexit is - for millions of people - a gaping, seeping, self-inflicted wound that is going to cause loss and misery for decades.

The only reason the other lot - the ones that gleefully ushered it all in with their vote - want everyone to stop 'going on about Brexit' is because they know it's a fucking disaster and can't come up one single positive that doesn't sound xenophobic/racist/bigoted.

And for all the anger at thinking Brexiteers didn't know what they voting for, if they DID, what the fuck were they thinking? The poor will be poorer. Workers will be more likely to be injured or die at work. Our food standards will go through the floor.

Three areas - the environment, rivers and water safety in particular; food standards and safety at work are already being decimated. The Tory Ultras couldn't wait to get their claws into those things, and we all suffer as a result. Brexit under a compassionate, wise, data-driven, progressive government might have been different. Brexit under this monstrous, callous, inexperienced, inept government is an unmitigated disaster in which those most in need will suffer most, and there will be no agencies or institutions equipped to help.

Brexit has presented a moral and ethical vacuum into which the very worst of Tory greed and self-serving nastiness is being poured.

Get over it? Get to fuck.

Brexit- it's a word which has been invested with way too much power to the point it's become political poison.
I personally couldn't care less how politicians spin it: the fact is we need a customs union and the single market with the EU. It's just common sense and pure pragmatism.
If we move on from anything it should be from this frankly idiotic ideological war which only plays into the hands of a few oligarchs.

Ok will probably get flamed for my POV, but I have not seen any difference in my life since Brexit that makes me think it's a shit show.

If you would like personal examples of Brexit benefits:

My brother got a job as a HGV driver. He trained earlier this year and is now coining it. Never thought I would see the lazy article get off his backside, but he has and I wish our dear old mum was here to see it. Biggest Brexit benefit in our family.

My BIL is a builder and now so busy with work, he is booming. He's taken on new staff to help and doing really well.

My child has left education and walked straight into a job after receiving 3 offers. They are getting a good wage for their age.

For me personally, I have not seen any difference in my life. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Life is the same. I have travelled twice. Once to Dublin and I was held up for ages at Dublin airport in a queue. Second time to Spain. The difference from my last trip to Spain was at immigration where it used to be look, nod. This time it was look, stamp, nod. I was not held up for longer than 10 mins in Spain and I had a nice holiday. Will definitely go back.

Zilch

I assume the rest of Europe like us more as we did exceptionally well in Eurovision.

Airport duty free was better from Europe (really high limits but access to some decent prices on alcohol).

Thats all I have.

My brother got a job as a HGV driver. He trained earlier this year and is now coining it. Never thought I would see the lazy article get off his backside, but he has and I wish our dear old mum was here to see it. Biggest Brexit benefit in our family.

My BIL is a builder and now so busy with work, he is booming. He's taken on new staff to help and doing really well.

I'm a lead driver working in the building trade and can relate to the above - I drive and also supervise day to day running of big. I'm making loads more than a cour years back and turn away at least 5-6 jobs a week.

We can't fulfil the level of sand for mortar and screws atm. We're regularly having to tell clients they can't have any more for a week.

Mortar and screed, not screws.

I really like how going to the supermarket is now like a big lucky dip, and you can only get about 25% of the things you hoped to buy.

Your supermarket is 75% empty? 😲 You need to change supermarkets. I've been Morrisons today and it's fully stocked. Plus, I've had my eye on a dining set but they didn't have the pasta bowls. Today they'd just filled the shelves so I got a set for 4. And I picked up a pair of denim shorts.

@continueorterminate We went to the USA.
We live in a liberal city and have a tiny lake cottage to retreat to.
It has been interesting and positive in lots of different ways.
We are aware that we were lucky that we were able to make it work.

Alexandra2001
I asked my large local bicycle shop why they can't get Shimano parts
Response was "Most European importers are based in the Single Market, they supply them first now, we get whatever is left

Various possible reasons here (2021/22):

Shimano factory shut down is about to make the parts shortage worse.

cyclingmagazine.ca/sections/news/shimano-factory-shut-down-is-about-to-make-the-parts-shortage-worse/

Bicycle groupset giant Shimano has been the victim of a targeted heist with components for 10,000 bicycles stolen.

www.cyclist.co.uk/news/10436/shimano-bike-components-targeted-in-7-million-heist

Ship Stuck in Suez Canal May Further Contribute to Bike Parts Shortage

www.pinkbike.com/news/ship-stuck-in-suez-canal-may-further-contribute-to-bike-parts-shortage.html

Bike stores across Germany have been struggling to source new bikes and spare parts during the pandemic. This has left frustrated customers who are having to endure months long waiting periods just to have their two-wheelers repaired.

learngerman.dw.com/en/shipping-container-shortage-inflicts-pain-on-german-shoppers/a-58287649

My take is that those on the opposite sides of the debate see and value different things, so don’t accept the other’s view of benefits or disbenefits.

Plenty of examples have been given up thread by those who dare to post, but those examples presumably don’t count. 17.4 million people had probably 17.4 different sets of reasons for voting, none of which fit neatly into a snippet of a post or a vox pop.

The EU spent 40 years changing this country, so we’ve got plenty of opportunities to vote in general elections for politicians who are now freer to take the country in the directions we vote for. Over the next 40 years, we will gradually change, and in some ways that will be for the better.

There’s a lot of middle class parochialism among remainers, as if EU countries were the whole of the rest of the world, and as if only EU-nationals ever came here to study or work. I’m not sure how deeply remainers read about life in foreign countries (not just their favourites, not just for holiday travel). I suspect many don’t speak many foreign languages after all, so can preserve an idealised version of Europe in their imagination. All countries in the world have problems and strengths. The idea that our country is uniquely awful is a fascinating kind of British exceptionalism, from people who often hate to think of themselves as British.

There’s a lot of middle class parochialism among remainders.

And Pinnochio-ism. 🤥

Honestly, reading the thread for benefits: what seems to stand out is that the lowest paid professions are no long paid rock bottom.

I can of course appreciate the more middle class misery of those saying their businesses lost money and their children can’t study abroad easily etc but I have to say, for me, the fact that the lowest rung of society can be paid more than minimum wage in jobs they can do, get those jobs in the first place and be compensated appropriately is a good thing.

I can see how some might prefer to pay their lowest valued staff the absolute least they can then whine about their corporation tax but I’m on the side of the teens who work in McDonalds or the carers who look after children, or the HGV drivers who used to get a good wage and now do again. The candlelight dinner throwing, Guardian reading classes of mumsnet can snark all they want into the internet about their Remain views and Brexit didn’t make them richer. They are entitled to their feelings about that. But the rock bottom who want to work can work. And can be paid £16ph as well.