The return of the B word: London discusses Brexit again Swiss representatives on climate conference: “Really disappointed”

The TV channel GB News is considered a stronghold of Brexit supporters. But what the channel’s most recent survey revealed even robbed the moderator of his speech. Martin Daubney couldn’t get over the fact that 55 percent of viewers now think leaving the EU is a bad idea.

The scene was symbolic: after the British government had not spoken about Brexit for years or at least downplayed its negative consequences, the word was actually back on everyone’s lips. “Back to the future”, according to the portal “Politico”.

Trigger: A report in the newspaper “Sunday Times” that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wanted to move closer to the EU following the Swiss model due to the severe economic crisis. This should remove the barriers that have arisen in trade with the EU. The Financial Times then wrote, citing its own research, that such comparisons had been made in government circles.

Sunak denied that such ideas existed. “I voted for Brexit, I believe in Brexit and I know that Brexit can and has brought enormous benefits and opportunities to this country,” the prime minister said at an industry conference on Monday. The European Commission announced that no bid had been made, but that they were cooperating with London on the basis of the negotiated contracts.

It is not surprising that the discussion still arises. The economic situation in the UK is bad: recession, high inflation, a shortage of skilled workers and falling real wages are just the most notable problems. With tax increases and spending cuts, Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt wants to get about 55 billion pounds (63 billion euros) into the empty treasury.

But what caused a stir in conservative circles in particular: Hunt spoke out in favor of more immigration to boost the economy and close gaps – although anger over freedom of movement was a Brexit driver. “Don’t betray us about Brexit,” warned the conservative Daily Mail newspaper. Former Minister of Culture Nadine Dorries, a close confidante of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, shared the message on Twitter.

Johnson is still the face of Brexit. “Get Brexit Done” was Johnson’s mantra – and many Conservatives still claim he did it. The withdrawal agreement with the EU left many unanswered questions that are still waiting to be answered. While the treaty largely ensures smooth trade, tariffs have emerged and bureaucracy has increased significantly. Bilateral trade collapsed.

Lately, the bad news for Brexiteers has increased. For example, Conservative ex-environment minister George Eustice criticized the free trade agreement with Australia – celebrated by the government as the first major post-Brexit deal – as bad for Britain. The independent economic regulator OBR stressed that Brexit had “significantly adversely affected trade” with the EU and was causing lasting damage to the economy. Finally, the opinion research institute Yogov found that Brexit approval was lower than ever – which was confirmed by GB News of all people.

Brexit is back, they say in London. “It feels like the Conservative Party is finally recognizing the economic reality,” Gavin Barwell, once Prime Minister Theresa May’s chief of staff, told Politico.

It is hardly to be expected that the UK would suddenly shift into reverse and return to the EU. In the Conservative Party, the influence of Brexit supporters has increased since the departure. In addition, opposition leader Keir Starmer of the Labor Party, who according to polls has a good chance of winning the next election in 2024, rejects a return to the single market.

The fact that there is now a debate and that Brexit is no longer the elephant in the room could certainly help, according to observers. Because in order to move the country forward, it is important to recognize the problems that Brexit has caused. Otherwise there is a risk of stagnation. (dab/sda/dpa)