The failure of Brexit and its damage to the UK

Brexit was sold to the British public as a path to prosperity, sovereignty, and control. However, nearly a decade after the 2016 referendum, the UK is grappling with the stark realities of its departure from the European Union. From economic downturns to political instability and diminished global influence, Brexit has failed to deliver on its promises and has left the country facing serious long-term consequences, writes EU Reporter Publisher Colin Stevens.

Economic decline and trade barriers

One of the most immediate and tangible impacts of Brexit has been the UK’s economic performance. Far from unlocking new economic potential, leaving the EU has created significant barriers to trade. Businesses that once thrived on frictionless access to the European single market now face bureaucratic red tape, tariffs, and increased costs.

The UK’s GDP growth has lagged behind that of the EU, with economists estimating that Brexit has cost the British economy billions in lost trade and investment. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has stated that Brexit has reduced the UK’s long-term productivity by around 4%. Key industries such as manufacturing, financial services, and agriculture have struggled under new trade restrictions, leading to job losses and higher costs for consumers.

The loss of global influence

By leaving the EU, the UK has lost its influential position within the world’s largest trading bloc. As a lone actor, Britain struggles to negotiate favourable trade deals, often having to accept less advantageous terms than it previously enjoyed as an EU member. Trade agreements with countries such as Australia and New Zealand have been criticised for benefiting foreign producers at the expense of British farmers and businesses.

Politically, Brexit has weakened the UK’s standing on the global stage. Once seen as a bridge between the US and the EU, the UK now finds itself sidelined in major geopolitical discussions. It has diminished leverage in global diplomacy, trade negotiations, and security partnerships, leaving it less influential in shaping international policies.

Political instability and broken promises

Brexit has unleashed years of political turmoil, with successive governments failing to deliver a clear and effective post-EU strategy. Since the referendum, the UK has seen a revolving door of prime ministers—Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Rishi Sunak (all Conservative)—and now Sir Keir Starmer (Labour)—each struggling to manage the economic and political fallout of Brexit.

Many of the promises made during the Leave campaign have failed to materialise. Instead of extra funding for the NHS, the health service faces severe staff shortages, exacerbated by the loss of EU workers. Instead of cutting bureaucracy, businesses now face more red tape in trade and immigration processes. Instead of greater sovereignty, the UK’s regions, particularly Northern Ireland, have faced new and complex governance challenges due to Brexit-induced trade arrangements.

The damage to the Union

Brexit has also intensified divisions within the UK itself. Scotland, which voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU, has renewed calls for independence, arguing that it was forced out of the EU against its will. Northern Ireland’s unique position—with its need to maintain an open border with the Republic of Ireland—has led to tensions over the Northern Ireland Protocol, straining relations with both the EU and within the UK itself.

 A nation in decline

Rather than restoring British greatness, Brexit has left the UK economically weakened, politically fractured, and globally diminished. While its long-term consequences continue to unfold, the evidence so far suggests that leaving the EU has done more harm than good. Calls for reevaluating the UK’s relationship with Europe are growing, and as the damage becomes clearer, the question remains: will the UK seek to undo its biggest political miscalculation or continue down a path of isolation and decline?

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