Only one in 10 feel leaving the EU has helped their finances, while just 9% say it has benefited the NHS, despite £350m a week pledge according to new poll

A clear majority of the British public now believes Brexit has been bad for the UK economy, has driven up prices in shops, and has hampered government attempts to control immigration, according to a poll by Opinium to mark the third anniversary of the UK leaving the EU single market and customs union.

The survey of more than 2,000 UK voters also finds strikingly low numbers of people who believe that Brexit has benefited them or the country.

Just one in 10 believe leaving the EU has helped their personal financial situation, against 35% who say it has been bad for their finances, while just 9% say it has been good for the NHS, against 47% who say it has had a negative effect.

  • carl_dungeon@lemmy.world
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    10 months ago

    Gosh, if ONLY SOMEONE WOULD HAVE WARNED PEOPLE that brexit was a terrible idea tossed together by fear mongering, self interested dickheads!!! If only someone had mentioned it was a terrible idea ahead of time!

    • LazyBane@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      It’s not like remainers ever put up a convincing argument prior to losing the referendum.

      Turned voting age on the referendum, visited our predominantly working class school, only ever brought up cheaper phone calls abroad as to why they should vote to remain.

      Brexit only had pull out the weakest reasons to leave becuase they were the only ones who took the referendum seriously.

    • Socsa@sh.itjust.works
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      10 months ago

      The reality is that there were a thousand paths back from that cliff. The vote was no binding, and barely a majority. If the British public wanted to halt it they could have just elected non-leave politicians in the years afterwards, but they didn’t.

    • nogooduser@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      The problem was that nobody in the UK did an effective job of arguing for remain. They were caught napping because they were convinced that people wouldn’t want to leave.

      When they realised that we were in danger of voting to leave it was too late.

      Obviously, people in the EU said that it was a bad idea but they obviously would say that because we’re “sending them £350 million a week” and they wouldn’t want to lose that.

      • justJanne@startrek.website
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        10 months ago

        The UK spent decades convincing everyone that all bad decisions are made by the EU and all good decisions are made by Westminster. That’s the first mistake.

        If the UK had properly educated its citizens about what the EU actually was and did, no remain campaign would’ve been necessary whatsoever. But it was politically convenient to have a scapegoat.

        And let’s be honest, remain aka “remoaners” had a ton of arguments all the time. But brexiteers just wanted to enter the magical land where the UK still mattered and they’d eat their cake and have it still.

  • beebarfbadger@lemmy.world
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    10 months ago

    Completely failed? That is just not true. For Johnson’s co-conspirators, who lied and swindled to profit from Brexit, it absolutely caused the desired shifts in wealth - that is from everybody else into their own pockets.

    • Aceticon@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      There is no better friend to have than the kind that can provide millionaire consulting gigs and non-executive board memberships in thanks for writting the laws with them in mind when replacing EU legislation and regulation.

      Mind you, I’m not saying this is Corruption: the only part of the Judiciary that can investigate and prosecute Corruption in the UK is the Serious Fraud Office who have about as big as budget as the tinniest of British city halls (i.e. Councils) so nobody but the small fry ever gets investigated, much less prosecuted and convicted, so there are no people one can say are corrupt in the UK without falling foul of the local Libel Legislation (which is quite extreme by European standards) as they’re not officially corrupt until convicted.

      It’s a special country with a special system, hence the continue deca, and whilst Brexit stands out as a trully primo inter pares of specialness, something like this happenning is no surprise.

      The honest and intelligent britons (of which there are many) need to start pondering more on the possibility that when you keep getting the same ailments and treating them only for more appearing, the actual problem might be an underlying disease rather than merelly the ailments themselves.

  • Ulrich_the_Old@lemmy.ca
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    10 months ago

    You should go crawling on your knees and beg the EU to take you back, and farage, rees-mogg and boris should pay for the entire thing.

    • highenergyphysics@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      My hot take: the EU is better off without them. Britain has always been a belligerent holier than thou obstacle to progress for the EU, even after they got a sweetheart deal that NO OTHER European nation got offered.

      Let them rot on their island while the rest of Europe actually makes progress.

    • Rikudou_Sage@lemmings.world
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      10 months ago

      All the while being pissed off that no, you won’t get all the exceptions you had the last time. And yes, you’ll have to ditch £ for € eventually*.

      * there’s a pretty stupid loophole that allows you to postpone adopting Euro indefinitely, though I feel even the fact that officially they’re agreeing to adopt the Euro will be a low blow for the pride of UK people.

    • scarabic@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      That’s like a couple getting married again after a divorce. It HAS happened, but only when both people are lost together in a world of mutual crazy that neither can live outside. I don’t think the EU is participating in the Uk’s fantasy world, so it’ll never happen.

      • OhNoMoreLemmy@lemmy.ml
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        10 months ago

        Nah. The honest truth is that the EU doesn’t care that much about the UK.

        It’s much more like someone storming out their local pub and refusing to come back. It’s a big deal to the guy that left, but a much smaller deal to everyone still drinking in the pub.

        If the UK stops acting like a dick and pays for their share they’d be eventually welcome back, once it looked like they’d actually learnt their lesson and wouldn’t do it again. The real barriers to rejoining are on the UK side. No one wants to reopen that can of worms.

      • Simulation6@sopuli.xyz
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        10 months ago

        UK had one of the larger militarys in the EU. Only reason I can see them ever considering it.

        • scarabic@lemmy.world
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          10 months ago

          Aren’t most of the EU also NATO members? I guess I’ve never thought much about the military aspects of the EU.

          • chitak166@lemmy.world
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            10 months ago

            Do you think your analogy is a 1:1 representation of the situation at hand? Lol.

            • scarabic@lemmy.world
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              10 months ago

              Look. If you’re not prepared to actually discuss and share your ideas, why comment at all? And don’t go putting the burden on me to invalidate the opinion you just dropped, raw, and walked away from.

              • chitak166@lemmy.world
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                10 months ago

                Do you think everyone on the internet is worth arguing with?

                I just asked you a simple yes or no question.

  • ThePowerOfGeek@lemmy.world
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    10 months ago

    Gives middle finger to biggest trading partner by far.

    Surprised Pikachu face when economy goes to hell.

    I cannot fathom the thought process of the Regrexiters.

    • whoisearth@lemmy.ca
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      10 months ago

      It makes sense when you frame Brexit in the context of “we don’t like brown people”. They weren’t thinking about the economy. Never were.

      • eronth@lemmy.world
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        10 months ago

        Kinda. A lot of them had this very strong opinion that they were basically an economic powerhouse and were actually better off without the trades that were lopsided against them. They’re learning how trade power actually works.

          • eronth@lemmy.world
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            10 months ago

            I would wager it comes from a history of being a trade powerhouse. I’m no expert, though.

  • Gazumi@lemmy.world
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    10 months ago

    IF the UK rejoins the EU at any time in the future, we will certainly never have the preferential terms and disproportionate power that we’d originally had. Defacto not as good as a deal. However, STILL much better to be part of the EU than to be circling the drain as we are right now.

    • butterflyattack@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      I am still furious about Brexit on a personal level. Freedom of movement was amazing. It meant that I could just decide to go live and work in an EU country whenever I wanted. I had previously used this to spend a couple of years in Spain and maybe a year in France. I’d been planning a move to Portugal when Brexit took this away from me. All those opportunities gone because of dumb fuckers who didn’t even realise we had them. Ignorant bigoted wankers. Goes without saying I voted remain. I’d be delighted to rejoin, and if it means we adopt the euro that’s fine with me. It won’t happen for at least a decade though, and at my age that’ll be too late for me.

      • fadhl3y@lemmy.world
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        10 months ago

        No, they realised that they had the freedom of movement. The Brexit vote was in part to punish people like you because you still had that freedom.

    • Senshi@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      And getting rid of the unfair preferential terms is good for the EU as a whole, because it will reduce resentment in all other current and potential future member nations.

      Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely believe Brexit hurt everyone in Europe and I can’t wait to welcome UK back into the Union, but make it on equal terms. It’s a very small silver lining to the whole fiasco. I just hope it doesn’t take too long for UK to find a leader string enough to say “I think we made a mistake, we should reapply”. Make a new referendum while the populace still realizes the connection between Brexit and the current misery before some populist schmuck finds a new scapegoat.

      • Gazumi@lemmy.world
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        10 months ago

        Agree completely. The old arrangements were compromises to get the original deal dome. That was half a century ago and a lot has changed.

    • Rakonat@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      To me, I never understood the desire to leave. Even the people who being talking heads for Brexit actively benefitied financially from UKs position in the EU. The choice to leave was roused up on a bunch half truths and bold face lies to scare the the general public of hatining anything south of the channel… Despite getting so much benefit.

      Smartest thing they could do is beg their way back into the EU and claw back what ever benefits they had enjoyed like stated above there is no scenario where UK ends up good as they were back in 2016 let alone in a better bargaining position, but they also don’t have to throw away their future prosperity based on stubborn pride.

      • chitak166@lemmy.world
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        10 months ago

        It’s hysteria.

        but they also don’t have to throw away their future prosperity based on stubborn pride.

        Lol, but they will.

    • chitak166@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      I think it’s best for the EU if the UK doesn’t have preferential treatment.

      • Gazumi@lemmy.world
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        10 months ago

        I’m not an economist, but what I have seen is the decline in the value of Sterling since Brexit as well of the downgrading of the UK credit rating. Even if we adopt the Euro, the value of the same goods will still vary between different countries. However, the same silly arguments will arise again saying that the is EU taking over.

      • unrelatedkeg@lemmy.sdf.org
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        10 months ago

        That isn’t really an issue, either Denmark or Czechia don’t want the Euro but said they’ll get it so they skirm around the ascention criteria a bit. Can’t see why the UK couldn’t do the same.

        • MrAlpharius@lemmy.world
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          10 months ago

          That isn’t an Issue, jet. But it could be in the long run.

          The fact that the EU haven’t taken measures in that matter doesn’t mean it will not do it in the future.

          • unrelatedkeg@lemmy.sdf.org
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            10 months ago

            Yeah I get it, but still. Britain got its priviliges in the EU by being a part of it for a long time. If it becomes a problem in some 20 years, Britain probably won’t be alone, will have been a member for a longish time and will most definitely be better off than outside the EU. And if it comes to it, they’ll be able to leave again.

            At least they’ll have the most experience in leaving which might make the second time at least a bit more painless.

    • realitista@lemm.ee
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      10 months ago

      Everyone says this, but I think the EU wants Britain back in enough to make some exceptions again. The way I look at it is that it doesn’t hurt to try.

      • Kbin_space_program@kbin.social
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        10 months ago

        Eh, willing to bet that Germany wants to set a precedent that they, and no one else, like France, can just leave and rejoin on a political far right whim.

  • dezmd@lemmy.world
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    10 months ago

    Imagine voting against Scottish Independence then getting fucked out of the EU immediately afterwards by Brexit.

    • chitak166@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      Britain is Europe’s America.

      Europeans would be wise to distance themselves from them.

  • recapitated@lemmy.world
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    10 months ago

    It sounds like cooperation works better than unnecessary contention. Who would have guessed.

    • kaffiene@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      You say that but people still want to vote for Trump. This kind of jingoistic populism is doing pretty well right around the globe right now

  • Custoslibera@lemmy.world
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    10 months ago

    No fucking shit.

    I’m still in disbelief at racist ignorant Tory cunts that voted for this.

    Fuck them and their political apathy.

    Fuck them and their complete disregard for factual information.

    They can now lie in the bed they made, the absolute fools.

    • Jas91a@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      Murdoch holds a lot of the blame as well, without that prick taking sides in his newspapers it would never have happened

    • Lafari@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      And fuck the fucking fucks!! Fuck you, you fuck! You BIG fuck! You massive, whopping, FUCK!

    • Lafari@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      Founding Fathers of America version: Someone founded around and fucked out.

  • Tattorack@lemmy.world
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    10 months ago

    Oh gee. Who coulda seen that coming, huh?

    Glad it happened, though. The total clown show of Brexit very quickly shut up all the Anti-EU trolls.

    • Lafari@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      Reading this in a Minnesotan accent. Ah jeez! Who coulda seen this coming, ha, hon? They really, well, they shot themselves damn near in the foot, didn’t they now? Don’cha know the Eurapeans want to help you now, but these racists ya see, racism always gets in the way of peace. That’s what my mother always said.

    • A_Random_Idiot@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      I’m not an expert on foreign affairs, but from what I understand, UK got kind of a sweetheart deal to be included in EU originally.

      I doubt very seriously they will get such a sweet heart deal next time, since they are proven an unreliable and fickle partner… and thats on the pretense they are allowed back in at all.

      • MrAlpharius@lemmy.world
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        10 months ago

        They would absolutely get allowed back. They were one of the most important economic and military powers in the EU.

        But you are absolutely right in the whole “deal” thing. No pound, yes Schengen, no national exceptions, no fishing great deals and of course, EU military is a must. No more veto to the joint military for sure.

        After that is clear, they would be allowed back for sure. Maybe they can keep the password as a gesture.

        • EnderMB@lemmy.world
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          10 months ago

          I got downvoted hard for saying this before, but while I don’t think the UK would get all of it’s benefits back, I think that they would get to retain some privileges - at the cost of others.

          It’s not because the UK is great or anything. The sole reason I believe the EU would welcome back the UK with open arms is to keep the UK as a friendly example of how badly your economy can fuck up after leaving. History shows that you don’t kick someone when they’re down, you bring them back, and form them into a useful ally.

          IMO, the same deal wouldn’t make sense anyway, because the UK is far weaker than they were previously. Let the UK keep the pound, but lose any special veto rights they once had.

          • MrAlpharius@lemmy.world
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            10 months ago

            I understand that the pound would be an absolute moral need for the UK, but for me It would be the first thing that would be demanded to drop. A UK in eurozone would be key to the strength of the Euro.

            If the UK is smart the fighting ring would be the London City privileges. That’s where money is.

            But ultimately I do agree that they would keep some small things but to the eyes of the other members, they must be “punished” in all the other important areas just to keep the flock together.

            Just to clarify for anyone reading: these are opinions, not facts.

            • FarceOfWill@infosec.pub
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              10 months ago

              The requirement to adopt the euro is not something that can be forced. You can agree to do it eventually when you join, when any country joins, but the EU would never kick a country out of the EU unless they moved to the euro at a specific time.

              The UK will one day rejoin, will agree to one day use the euro and then like many other countries in the EU will never use the euro

              • MrAlpharius@lemmy.world
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                10 months ago

                That is absolutely correct but you could bend the join requirements to force the adoption even against the euro requirements criteria. You can even talk about skipping the line under some specific requirements.

                The EU lets some of the members keep their currency because they are not that important to the gross number. Everyone knows the game they are playing but looks elsewhere. I am sure the Pound was always a problem and you have to consider again that UK never accept the Euro in the first place. I am pretty sure the way can be found to force the pound out and if not, they will be required to at least go the sweden way to keep it at the expense of “cheating”. It is a huge difference in political terms.

                During Brexit negotiations it was cristal clear who had the hight ground and the UK had to comply to a lot of their red lines.

          • assassin_aragorn@lemmy.world
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            10 months ago

            It would be fair if they had no special exceptions, but it would be a large failure by negotiators if they proposed that. A few exceptions as a show of graciousness would go a long way, and probably do more to thwart any other brexit mentalities than being strict would.

      • sapetoku@lemmynsfw.com
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        10 months ago

        The UK can apply and get in line like the others, which should be long enough for UK laws to be EU-compliant, no special treatment.

        Scotland should secede and apply first, though.

        • buzziebee@lemmy.world
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          10 months ago

          I don’t understand this argument re Scotland. Brexit was a disaster for a country which had been a member with a trading block for a few decades and which only had some regulatory compliance laws on its own books to amend.

          Scotland has been fully integrated into the UK economy, political system, and legal system, etc for hundreds of years. It would be many many times more painful and damaging for them to leave, and joining the EU after who knows how many years of sitting up there isolated wouldn’t make up for what Scotland would lose by leaving the UK.

          We should be arguing for more cooperation and bigger unions, not smaller ones. Further devolved powers, a better system for representation of the nations in parliament, kicking out the Tories and bringing in more beneficial policies for the UK, etc should be the priority imo. Not even more -exits.

    • kent_eh@lemmy.ca
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      10 months ago

      But in more equal terms, not with all the special exemptions that were present under the previous terms.

  • HexesofVexes@lemmy.world
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    10 months ago

    I mean, a lot of folks who voted leave are probably dead by now…

    Those who voted remain knew this was coming, and still get to live with it.

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    10 months ago

    9% say it has benefited the NHS

    Are 9% of the UK shareholders of plantir or something? Cunts!

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      10 months ago

      I think that people tend to take just one or two reference points to decide things like this because it’s too complicated to consider them all.

      The points that might have led people to believe that the NHS was improved by Brexit are that we were told that leaving the EU gave us the ability to approve and buy the COVID vaccine more quickly and that we did seem to get it more quickly than the EU.