Brexit mega thread part 15a - looking forwards

[Talkinpeace]

Just rebooting the most recent thread

At the moment the UKs issues are rather over shadowed by events elsewhere
but maybe that is a good thing.

The German election on Sunday is worth watching
Right wing European politicians pulling out of CPAC speeches because they realise its not a good look
Farage floundering to stay relevant

and the possibility of the return of free movement for our kids if not us

Relations between mainland Europe and the UK remain a worthy topic for discussion

"I do not have the time or space to go through all 75 so-called benefits listed"

How disappointing.

Watch last night’s episode of BBC Question Time . Lisa Nandy, Labour, stated the UK is the fastest growing economy in the G7. In the previous week’s episode, Stephen Kinnock, also Labour, made the same statement.

The alleged debunk includes the following:

A 'benefit' can ONLY be considered a benefit if it, you know, benefits the UK.

This makes the assumption that money is everyone’s only goal. Why people chose to vote leave or remain will never be known.

In 2019, the value of service exports was £339 billion and represented approximately 72% of UK GDP. As of August 2025, the value of service exports was £542 billion. An increase of £203 billion in six years and represents approximately 81% of GDP and 83% of employment.

These are all measured provable numbers as opposed to estimates of £140 billion loss.

Just because something has been done that couldn't be done as a member of the EU, does not make it a 'benefit' if it does not actually benefit the UK.

The trade deal UK made with the US could not be made as a member of the EU. It has two benefits:

10% tariffs as opposed to 20% imposed on the EU

The remain theory that larger block will always have more leverage than smaller blocks is destroyed.

I agree it is disappointing but it is a book review so you need to keep some of the suspense.

Are you a fan of Goodwin @GlobeTrotter2000 ?

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/oct/31/city-brexit-uk-productivity-eu-rachel-reeves-budget

https://euroweeklynews.com/2025/11/01/britain-still-paying-the-eu-post-brexit-bill-now-tops-50-billion/

‘I think we were so desperate to get out of the EU that at the time we basically came up with a very bad deal.’

Former Tory Brexit minister David Jones, who has since defected to Reform UK

@DuncinToffee

Reeves did not mention Brexit at all in her first budget in October 2024. A mere year ago. Why is that?

The answer is of course to divert from the following facts:

Immigration has increased since Labour came to power even though they pledged to smash the gangs

Unemployment has increased since Labour came to power due to higher taxes applied to employers.

Is the £50 billion not the agreed “divorce” bill?

For information, the UK is the fastest growing economy in the G7 as per Labour MPs Lisa Nandy and Stephen Kinnock.

Brexit used the be the elephant in the room, it's about time it is getting addressed.

Brexit made the UK poorer.

@DuncinToffee

Brexit used the be the elephant in the room, it's about time it is getting addressed.

So, Rachel Reeves had never heard of Brexit until just recently? Not possible.

Falling down the polls and failing to deliver any of the manifesto promises is the reason Labour are in a panic. Even the Green Party are doing better in the polls compared to Labour and their leader thinks women’s breasts can be made larger by hypnosis.

So, they are looking for convenient scapegoats.

If Brexit is the cause of all issues facing the UK, why did Labour stand on a manifesto of:

No rejoin of the customs union or single market?

Remember, it’s only 16 months since the won the general election in July 2024.

Some reports suggest that productivity decline began in 2008 due to the financial crash. Article 50 was not enacted until the year later, 2009.

Brexit made the UK poorer

Some will be worse off since Brexit, but the majority are not as evidenced by the results of the three general elections held since MPs voted to leave the EU in March 2017.

Some people have done very well out of Brexit

People in the UK have started to realise they were sold a dud with Brexit, it's a slow process but it is getting there.

It's not easy to admit you were conned.

@LouiseCollins28 started a new thread

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/eu_referendum_2016_/5436146-brexit-mega-thread-16-whos-next

No country is planning to leave, there are at least 10 wanting to join.

Brexit was finished in 2021. No one is looking to revive it. Not even Nigel Farage.

Farage is doing his best Shaggy impression as not to be associated with his masterplan and according to some he is the messiah.

.

or not

@DuncinToffee
@SerendipityJane

None of the 27 EU have had referendum on EU membership. So, how can it be known none of them don’t want to leave the EU?

As for 10 waiting to join, would they be net contributors or net takers? I would say the later.

Freedom of movement is one the reasons Switzerland has said they will never become a full member of the EU. They formally closed the door on full EU membership discussions in 2021.

Their fear is that free movement would stress public services, healthcare and drive down wages. Exactly what is happening in the developed Western EU member countries.

Norway has also said they will never become a full member of the EU. The reasons given are:

They don’t want to be controlled by laws made elsewhere.

They would lose control of their fishing industry.

The EU would be able to tap into their oil and gas reserves.

As a high GDP per capita country, the membership fee would be more than they received in return.

Both referendums held on EU membership were strong no.

Norway and Switzerland are in the SM (full and partial) and have freedom of movement.

Norway is EEA.

Switzerland is neither EU nor EEA. The freedom of movement deal with the EU has two key prerequisites:

To have a job;

or

Have a source of income.

ie only those who can contribute or support themselves independently are allowed to enter.

Unlike the UK where migrants can arrive and are entitled to benefits subsequent to Blair’s 1998 human rights act and Starmer winning the case in 2003.

I know, both countries have a far better deal than the UK

We agree again

I watch the competence of Farage's people running local councils

and let their noise waft past

Yet again GlobalGPT answers it's own question, ignoring the statements it claims to be answering.

Plus ca change...

@DuncinToffee

I know, both countries have a far better deal than the UK

Because they have refused to be full EU members.

And the UK refused any kind of membership.

See, we agree again.

That is possibly the stupidest take you could possibly make on that! Even for you that is incredibly ridiculous!

It's because they have allied themselves much more closely with the EU.

Obviously, that was in reply to GlobalGPT...