After the UK marked 5 years since leaving the EU, Mirror readers have slammed Brexit as a ‘betrayal’ after economic costs were ‘played down considerably’ and immigration problems were ‘overstated’
Following the fifth anniversary of the UK’s departure from the EU, Mirror readers have described Brexit as an ‘unmitigated disaster’ without ‘one single benefit’ after the economic costs were ‘played down’.
Leaving the European Union has been proven to have made Brits’ lives worse in at least six ways. Airport and port queues have grown drastically, food prices have spiralled out of control and small businesses have been forced to shut down. It has also become harder to work or study in the EU, music artists have been hit by a wave of barriers and NHS jobs have been left in chaos.
To mark the fifth anniversary of Brexit we asked Mirror readers – do you think Brexit has been a failure? 14,084 people responded to the poll, with the results overwhelmingly pointing towards Brexit being ‘a disaster’ for the country. 9,112 (65%) stated Brexit has failed, with the opposing 4,972 (35%) arguing that it hadn’t failed.
The question – do you feel better off since Brexit? – also received a damning response in the poll, with 10,006 (72%) voting no, in comparison to just 3,854 (28%) who voted yes.
We also asked – should there be a second referendum? 13,860 responded, with 8,123 (59%) arguing that the UK should be given the opportunity to vote again, in comparison to 5,756 (41%) who said no, as we’ve already voted out.
Similarly, when asked – would you like to see the UK rejoin the EU? 8,382 (60%) of respondents voted yes, arguing we should rejoin, whereas 5,556, voted no, stating we’ve left for good.
Finally, after Rachel Reeves said the UK is ‘absolutely happy’ to look at joining a tariff-free trading scheme, we asked – do you think the UK should join the EU trading scheme? Voters once again overwhelmingly voted yes (70%), with only 4,141 of 13,836 (30%) saying no, it would be a bad idea.
There’s still time to take the poll below. Results may change from those written above.
If you can’t see the poll, click here.
What Mirror readers think from Brexit is an ‘unmitigated disaster’ to another referendum is ‘necessary’
In response to the poll, readers shared their comments. Orient Geoff wrote: “Unmitigated disaster! Nothing we were promised has happened, especially with regards to immigration, and it has cost the country billions in lost trade.
“That’s before we deal with the mountain of red tape people have to go through when importing or exporting goods, little of which existed when we were members of the EU. It certainly wasn’t perfect but we should have dealt with that from within. not isolate ourselves on the back of false promises.”
Agreeing with the overwhelming anti-Brexit response to the questions, Taeidy said: “Another EU referendum is necessary and this time the result would be different. UK economy from around the fourth strongest sliding down to a break-down economy with no chance of recovery.”
“Stop this madness and beg the EU to take us back. We learnt our lesson and let the young people decide their future.”
Iron57 also wrote: “I voted for Brexit and realise I got it badly wrong. I cannot name one single benefit of Brexit, but I can name plenty of negatives. Given the information we now have, I’d relish the chance to reverse my mistake, and so would many others in my experience.”
Ralan said: “I think we were betrayed by those who advocated for Brexit. Political sovereignty was a perfectly legitimate objective and we expected a cost to do that. However it now appears that the economic cost was played down quite considerably and the immigration problems were overstated.
“But that is not the betrayal. I understand why some, maybe a majority would now vote to rejoin the EU. However because of the really good deal that Thatcher secured, we would not come back with the same benefits as we had. I believe that those who led the campaign were fully aware of that and know that they have secured, for many years to come, the future that they wanted (for their political benefit?) . Most of them are wealthy enough to weather the economic disbenefits, unlike the majority who supported them.”
Sassi also explained how Brexit has affected their life personally: “I wanted us to remain in Europe. Two of my children are Type 1 Diabetic since they were both 10 years old. No humalog insulin is made in UK. Only France (Sanofi) and Denmark (Novonordisk). Never used US (Lilly) insulin. There have been supply issues as feared. We are a European country geographically and in our DNA – we are not Little America.”
Opposing the view of those suggesting Brexit had been a failure, Matt5158 said: “Brexit was always going to bring challenges, but calling it a “disaster” ignores the complexities of global events and the opportunities now available. The UK has regained control over its trade, laws, and borders—things many voters saw as crucial. While some difficulties were predictable, so were the benefits of regulatory freedom and global trade deals.”
While Marnai also agreed, writing: “Brexit has been a success, in that we are now an independent country, we can make our own decisions, and don’t have to be controlled by France and Germany. Because of Covid, Ukraine, etc., we have not been able to take full advantage of it, although we have already made free trade deals with many other countries.
“It can only get better, and was never going to be overnight anyway. We expected to have a reasonable working relationship with the EU after we left, but they have constantly tried to punish us for leaving with restrictions, red tape etc.”
What do you think? Do you agree with the readers’ comments above? 5 years on from Brexit, has leaving the EU has been a failure? Take our poll and have your say in the comments below.