At 11pm on 31 January 2020, the UK officially departed from the European Union, becoming the first member state to do so.
This occasion signified the start of the so-called “transition period,” which lasted for 11 months, allowing the UK to remain part of the single market and customs until the year’s end.
However, during this transitional phase, the UK was no longer part of EU political institutions.
Five years later, the repercussions of the UK’s exit continue to affect households and businesses throughout the nation.
Feelings about Brexit
According to polling data from YouGov to mark the five-year anniversary, a majority of 55% of people in the UK now think the decision to leave the European Union was a mistake.
Only 30% believe it was the right choice.
Among younger voters who did not participate in the referendum, particularly those aged 18-24, a notable 75% view the departure as erroneous, according to the poll.
The YouGov poll further reveals that 64% of Britons would favor a closer relationship with the EU without rejoining any part of it.
Nevertheless, there appears to be little political willingness to revisit the referendum or to discuss rejoining the single market or customs union.
Instead, the government has been focusing on “resetting” its relations with the EU.
Business impact
Some sectors have experienced the impact of Brexit more acutely than others.
The horticulture sector, in particular, has faced substantial trade disruptions.
The Horticultural Trade Association reports that many of its members continue to struggle with “soaring costs, significant delays, stock damage, and excessive bureaucracy.”
Paolo Arrigo, owner of Seeds of Italy in north west London, shares his challenges.
“I should certainly have more money in my bank account than I currently do. I’ve had to allocate a significant amount to testing and bureaucracy… The UK no longer recognizes the phytosanitary certificate, nor the European organic certificate. This has caused numerous issues,” he explains.
Over the past year, he states he has had to dispose of £11,000 worth of tomato seeds due to importation difficulties.
He would welcome any modifications that could alleviate trade barriers in his often-overlooked sector.
Story of Brexit
This week, the think-tank UK in a Changing Europe released a comprehensive study on the narrative of Brexit, examining its origins, the negotiation process, and its future implications.
Anand Menon, director of the think-tank, notes that Brexit was always going to be an ongoing process requiring constant engagement with the EU.
The research highlighted that the Northern Ireland border would become increasingly pronounced as the UK diverges from EU regulations.
This divergence doesn’t necessarily lead to multiple political crises but needs to be anticipated, the report suggested.
When asked about his assessment of Brexit five years after the UK’s exit, Anand Menon remarked that it was challenging to gauge as Brexit was fundamentally about “trade-offs.”
“On one side, we have control over our laws and immigration policy, which for some, justifies the economic costs incurred.
“A striking aspect is that many leave voters who wished to see immigration decrease have been taken aback by the fact that net immigration has more than doubled since the referendum,” he explains.
He identifies a paradox in the current UK landscape: “if you mention Brexit in an article title to a journalist, it generates significant clicks; however, the two major parties, Labour and Conservatives, are reluctant to address Brexit due to its divisive nature,” he said.
He also points out that since Donald Trump’s election, the Liberal Democrats have begun advocating for much closer ties with Europe.
Calls for a return to the Customs Union
Earlier this month, Liberal Democrats leader Ed Davey urged the government to pursue a new customs union with the EU.
He contended that the new President of the United States is not a “reliable partner in terms of security, defense, or the economy.”
Calum Miller, the Liberal Democrats’ spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, argued that committing to a new customs union would create a “greater sense of urgency and purpose behind the talks and dialogue that has been committed to. In our opinion, progress has been far too slow on issues that should be easily agreed upon, like a European youth mobility scheme.”
Mr. Miller believes that reaching an agreement on such a scheme would foster trust with the EU and demonstrate the UK’s seriousness in resetting its relationship.
However, within Labour circles, there seems to be little interest in fully rejoining the customs union.
Nonetheless, the intention to reset relations remains a priority on the government’s agenda.
During her growth speech this week, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves stated that improving relations with the EU, “our nearest and largest trading partner,” was in the “national interest.”
