Six years after Brexit, it becomes clear that Brexit has been a complete disaster for the Tories. The Tory party is in turmoil, and Brexit is at the forefront of the debate. The economy is in disarray, and the Tories’ polls are falling. People expected Sunak to magically end the chaos. Instead, the chaos in the Conservative Party has increased. At the top of the internal conflicts is the issue of Brexit. Brexit has moved the British political and social atmosphere towards civil protests against the conservatives.
Has Brexit been a good deal for the UK? Â
According to the Guardian, Richard Tice told the Observer that the grand ideal (Brexit) was still a good one. Richard Tice is the leader of Reform UK, successor to the Brexit party. Richard Tice says that Brexit has given the UK its sovereignty back. Therefore, the UK can make its own laws and control its money and borders. Moreover, the UK will not be subject to the European Court of Justice.” Mr. Tice says that the Tory government has not managed to take much advantage so far.
Regarding miscalculations in Brexit, NPR says that former Prime Minister David Cameron called a referendum on leaving the EU. Cameron hoped the vote in 2016 would put an end to a civil war inside his Conservative Party on Britain’s relationship with Europe. Cameron hoped the vote would keep the party in power. It was a miscalculation of historic proportions. The British people voted to leave the EU by a small but convincing margin. The result not only highlighted Britain’s bitter divisions but also changed the course of the country’s foreign, economic and trade policies. Most political scientists and economists predicted that leaving the EU would make the UK poorer and politically less relevant.
What have we done six years after Brexit?  Â
As the Guardian says, sectors from fishing to aviation and farming to science report being bogged down in bureaucracy. They are struggling to recruit staff and rack up losses for the first time. Six years after Brexit, the economic case for Brexit is proving increasingly difficult for its supporters to make. The majority of the trade deals with non-EU countries that Britain has signed have been small in their economic effect. Even Rees-Mogg, the minister for Brexit opportunities, has stopped talking about Brexit and Britain’s economy. He has instead focused on what he calls the democratic dividend, the winning back of control, and the return of sovereignty. That issue is not surprising as day by day the economic data is piling up, showing the damage that Brexit is doing to the nation’s finances.
Similarly, it says in Bloomberg that more than six years after Brexit, the UK is facing a prolonged recession. It is facing a deep cost-of-living crisis and a shortage of workers. Last week’s Autumn Statement announced years of higher taxes and cuts to public spending.
Six problems six years after Brexit Â
The UK is facing numerous problems six years after Brexit. Concerning UK problems,  Independent says it is six years after the 2016 EU referendum, and Brexit is delivered. But all is not necessarily well. Polling done by Savanta ComRes in October showed that just 36 per cent believe the project has been a success. However, 52 per cent consider it a failure. Here are six of the biggest problems Brexit has caused: 1) Food rotting in Britain’s fields, 2) Surging inflation, 3) British fishermen facing ruin, 4) Meltdowns at UK airports, 5) A shortage of lorry drivers, 6) Mobile roaming charges make a comeback.
Second thoughts about Brexit
Six years after Brexit, there are second thoughts about it. As Bloomberg (November 22, 2022) says, days after being forced to accept sweeping changes in fiscal policy, Brexiters were confronted last weekend with a Sunday Times story. The story said senior figures in Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government are seeking a closer “Swiss-style relationship” with the EU. Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt has said that the UK should seek a closer trading arrangement with the EU. This is in line with the Sunday Times report.
According to CNBC (November 23, 2022), there was a YouGov survey earlier this month (November). The survey showed that 56% of the population said the UK was “wrong” to vote to leave the EU in 2016. However, 32% said it was the right call.
Conservatives lose popularity
There have been numerous protests against conservatives in the UK. For instance, as RCN says, nursing staff protested on October 3. The staff chanted demands for fair pay and safe staffing amidst the chronic workforce crisis. Members demonstrated outside the Conservative party conference), waving placards. They told politicians what needs to change to protect the future of nursing.
The conservatives have lost their popularity. As Reuters (December 2) says, Britain’s Labour Party scored a noticible victory in a vote for a parliamentary seat on Friday. It underlines the challenge facing PM Rishi Sunak to win the general election in the next two years. The Conservatives are seemingly heading for defeat in the national election expected in 2024. One of the Conservative party’s most experienced politicians, Sajid Javid, said he had planned to stand down. Polling experts said the scale of the defeat in the Chester by-election was in line with national polls. The polls gave Labour a 20-point lead.
Most notably Brexit booster-in-chief Boris Johnson
For years now, discussion of the negative impact of Brexit has been taboo. The Conservatives, most notably Brexit booster-in-chief Boris Johnson, insisted it was time to move on. The Conservatives said that the benefits of “taking back control” were only just around the corner (Bloomberg). On the contrary, a report published by the Resolution Foundation showed that the long-term effect of Brexit will be disastrous. The effect will be “to reduce household incomes as a result of a weaker pound, and lower investment and trade” (New statesman).
Sunak became prime minister on October 25. He inherited a divided party at a time of economic crisis. His task was to tackle soaring inflation and restore confidence of financial markets (Reuters). People expected Sunak to end the chaos in his party and the nation. However, economic and political crises have increased.
