Brexit remorse - Was leaving the EU a mistake? | DW Documentary

Brexit: A Retrospective on Broken Promises and Political Turmoil

Key Concepts: Brexit, European Union (EU), Sovereignty, Immigration, NHS Funding, Fishing Industry, Populism, Conservative Party, Labour Party, Right-wing Politics, Trade Deals, Global Britain, Referendum, Political Instability.

1. Introduction: The Brexit Vote and its Aftermath

The video begins by highlighting the historical significance of the June 23, 2016 referendum where the UK voted to leave the European Union (EU). It emphasizes the turmoil that followed and the ongoing consequences for the British people. Initial reactions to Brexit are presented through vox pops, revealing concerns about rising prices and a sense of disillusionment.

2. Key Figures and Slogans of the Leave Campaign

The video identifies Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage as leading figures in the Leave campaign. Johnson's "take back control" slogan and Farage's declaration of "Independence Day" are highlighted. The video questions the actual benefits of Brexit, citing corruption within the government and a failure to deliver on promised improvements.

3. Political Instability and Economic Decline

The video points to the rapid turnover of Prime Ministers since the referendum, with four forced resignations, leading to political instability and a crisis within the Conservative Party. It notes the surge in right-wing populism, the country teetering on the brink of recession, increasing poverty, and the UK's loss of its position as the world's fifth-largest economy.

4. Broken Promise 1: The Fishing Industry

• The Promise: The Leave campaign, including Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson, promised to revitalize the British fishing industry by reclaiming control of British waters.
• The Reality: Fishermen in Hastings, a historic fishing port, express feeling betrayed. Despite promises, they haven't seen the promised benefits. Catches are poor, and many struggle to earn a living.
• Specifics: Cod has almost disappeared from British waters. The number of fishing boats in Hastings has dwindled from 40 in 2016 to fewer than 10.
• Government Inaction: Despite promises from Environment Secretary Michael Gove, the UK has not reclaimed control of the 12-mile zone. There are more super trawlers in UK waters than ever, with EU vessels catching tons of fish daily.
• Economic Considerations: Fisheries are politically salient but not economically significant to the UK economy.
• Jeremy Percy's Role: Industry expert Jeremy Percy is assisting Hastings fishermen in their fight for survival.
• Quote: A fisherman states, "All I know is it's caused the demise of so many fishing businesses and fishing communities. And that's inexcusable."

5. Broken Promise 2: NHS Funding

• The Promise: Boris Johnson's campaign bus promised to redirect £350 million a week from the EU to the NHS.
• The Reality: The NHS is at breaking point, with crumbling infrastructure, underfunding, staffing shortages, and stagnating wages.
• Specifics: Some hospitals have set up food banks for their staff. The number of nurses coming from EU countries has drastically decreased after the Brexit vote.
• Quote: A person interviewed says, "It was absolutely a lie that we pay £350 million a week to the European Union."
• Impact: The broken promise has led to feelings of betrayal and a sense that the government doesn't care about its citizens.

6. Broken Promise 3: Immigration Control

• The Promise: Nigel Farage and the Leave campaign emphasized taking back control of Britain's borders and reducing immigration.
• The Reality: Legal immigration has more than doubled since 2021, rising from 300,000 to over 700,000 per year. EU workers have been replaced by migrants from South Asia and Africa.
• Andy Wickmore's Perspective: Nigel Farage's former communications director, Andy Wickmore, acknowledges that campaign slogans may not always be accurate but are effective in tapping into people's fears and prejudices.
• Quote: Wickmore states, "Campaigning is like a war. It's like selling your product, and in the best way I possibly can because I want you to buy my product, I will say anything for you to buy my product."
• Irregular Immigration: The video notes the focus on irregular immigration (small boat arrivals) as a distraction from rising legal immigration.

7. Broken Promise 4: Restoring Sovereignty

• The Promise: Brexit was presented as an opportunity to restore the country's sovereignty and create a "Global Britain" able to trade freely with the Commonwealth and the rest of the world.
• The Reality: The UK has not been able to secure a trade deal with the United States. The idea of turning London into "Singapore on Thames" has not materialized.
• Loss of Influence: The UK has less real sovereignty outside its main economic and trading block (the EU) and has to accept regulations set by larger players.
• Quote: A person interviewed says, "Britain's been discovering over the last seven years that there is no such thing as absolute sovereignty in this world."

8. David Cameron's Referendum Gamble

The video explains that Prime Minister David Cameron called the referendum to halt the rise of UKIP but failed to persuade his own party to back him. This released an "artistic emotional surge" in the Conservative Party, leading to Cameron's resignation.

9. Theresa May's Brexit Negotiations

Theresa May's attempts to negotiate a withdrawal agreement with the EU were repeatedly rejected by Parliament due to internal divisions and a lack of a clear plan for Brexit.

10. Boris Johnson's "Get Brexit Done" Strategy

Boris Johnson invoked the spectre of a no-deal Brexit and called a general election, winning a majority and securing parliamentary approval for his EU withdrawal agreement. However, his government's handling of the subsequent trade negotiations and the COVID-19 pandemic led to further crises and his eventual resignation due to the "partygate" scandal.

11. Liz Truss's Economic Experiment

Liz Truss's attempt to implement an American-style neoliberal economy with drastic tax cuts sparked panic in the financial markets and led to her resignation after just 49 days in office.

12. Rishi Sunak's Approach and the Rwanda Plan

Rishi Sunak's government has focused on regaining control of the country's borders and curbing immigration, including the controversial UK-Rwanda Asylum Partnership.

13. The Rise of Right-Wing Populism

The video highlights the continued influence of Nigel Farage and the rise of right-wing populism in British politics, including calls for the UK to leave the European Court of Human Rights. Liz Truss's alliance with figures like Steve Bannon is also noted as a concerning trend.

14. Conclusion: A Call for Reconstruction and Rebuilding Bridges

The video concludes with a call for the new government to reconstruct links and rebuild bridges with Europe, acknowledging the social anger that fueled the Brexit vote and the need to address the underlying issues. The final song suggests a hope for fixing the problems, but also a sense of impending crisis.

Main Takeaways:

• Brexit has failed to deliver on its key promises regarding the fishing industry, NHS funding, immigration control, and restoring sovereignty.
• The UK has experienced significant political instability and economic decline since the referendum.
• Right-wing populism continues to be a powerful force in British politics.
• There is a need for a new approach to address the underlying social and economic issues that fueled the Brexit vote and to rebuild relationships with Europe.