Has Brexit been a national humiliation for Britain? In a recent opinion poll, nine out of ten Britons said they believed the UK’s handling of Brexit has brought shame to the nation, with over a third blaming the UK government.
It’s safe to say the ride has been a bumpy one. Originally, the UK was due to leave the EU on 29 March 2019. That date has now officially been pushed back at least two weeks to 12 April, with the possibility that the divorce may be delayed even further (in theory even until after the upcoming European Parliament elections). What should Europeans make of it?
What do our readers think? We had a comment sent in from Jurre, who believes the whole Brexit experience has been so humiliating for Britain that it will discourage other countries from leaving the European Union. Is he right?
To get a response, we put Jurre’s comment to Jonathan Bullock, an MEP with the Brexit Party (and formerly a UKIP MEP). He pointed out that Brexit isn’t over yet, so we shouldn’t be too quick to pass judgment:
Well, we haven’t actually left the EU yet. There’s a process going on of disentangling Britain from the EU, so we won’t know how Britain stands outside the EU until we’ve actually left. This is merely the process of uncoupling ourselves.
Now, the British government have made [the Brexit process] far more difficult than it should be, so I think other countries would see that – that there’s different ways of doing it and that this has been very poorly handled by the British Prime Minister. But until we’re actually out of the EU you won’t see the benefits. Once we’re outside, people will see the benefits of Britain being outside the EU as a positive.
To get a different perspective, we also put Jurre’s comment to Francis Jacobs, Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at University College Dublin and former Head of the European Parliament’s Information Office in Ireland between 2006 and 2016. What would he say to the same comment?
[…] I think the longer this has gone on, the more it has reinforced the trend in other EU Member States to see such [EU membership] referendums as very dangerous things, and that trying to leave the EU is by no means a simple process. There is a mechanism for leaving: Article 50, as we know, brought in by the Treaty of Lisbon in formal terms, but in practice unravelling yourself from the EU is very complex. That’s one thing that people have learned.
I think the second thing is the impact on the UK itself. Obviously, people in other EU countries saw firstly that the four component parts of the United Kingdom voted in different ways, with two voting to leave and two to remain. Then, it’s been incredibly divisive across British society in general. And you can see now that almost Left-Right divisions have been replaced by Remain-Leave divisions. It’s absolutely been a polarising thing in the UK, and I think that’s been a lesson for many other EU countries.
And the recent developments over the last few weeks have brought it home even more graphically… The UK is seen not as a laughing stock, but it is seen with great pity. There’s been almost universal regret across the EU at the UK leaving; partly because it weakens the EU itself, but also most people in most other EU countries, and almost all the governments, had felt that the UK, in spite of its Euroscepticism, had made a very big contribution to the EU and still had a lot to offer into the future……
Will Brexit discourage other EU countries from leaving? Has Brexit been a national humiliation for Britain? Let us know your thoughts and comments in the form below and we’ll take them to policymakers and experts for their reactions!
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Most likely yes, but never underestimate the populism and the stupidity of the people.
As long as the UK has not actually left the EU, it is very hard to know what happens when Brexit is a reality.
Oh, are they leaving? I hadn’t noticed. We have sufficient problems of our own in Spain not to have to copy the UK’s.
every country in the world has some sort of internal problems. Yours isn’t an exception. It’s worth observing what happens around you, as it will have an impact on everyone. 🙂
only if their respective electorates acquire a real understanding of what is happening in the UK, whcih I very much doubt.
I don,t think so…Brexit is a good idea for Britain but the politicians got stuck in a maze of selfishnes.
Brexit is stupid
The EU would survive with les corruption and better policies. Now is a nest of power and capitalism.
If there is a hard Brexit, the popularists will be wiped out in the elections as people will see the effects of those policies.
Populists are already running a number of countries in the EU and outside it, and the electorates there seem quite satisfied with their policies.
any statistics to prove that? It isn’t because those who vote vote for populists that the majority of Europeans are “satisfied” with their policies!
“Look at what EU will you make you go through, if you try to leave”
– It doesn’t sound very democratic, does it?
Does the EU have “democratic” trade deals with Japan, China, the US?
The EU? So you’re not understanding what happens when you have to deal with 27 different states separately and all the rest, interesting.
all you have to deal with is EC – unelected, undemocratic, institution 80% of the time protecting the European plutocracy.
So you’re not understanding how the EU works either? What about getting a bit involved before talking about it?
those unelected EU officials do a far better job than those voted for in the house of Commons.
the hotel California… Its no secret the EUs hatred of democracy
Stop bitching about leaving, because you are leaving in two weeks and no one is stopping you.
if ye are so keen to leave, just leave. We are utterly sick of you. Absolutely nobody is stopping the UK from leaving.
what the EU made UK go through😂. Referendum 2016. UK Didn’t have a plan for leave. 27 countries working together to help UK leave. EU still don’t know what UK wants
Yeah, but England didn’t get to pick and chose, even though the brexiteers promised they would. The EU didn’t respect the referendum. The brits were promised everything.
Or look what the corrupted politicians will put you through just because they want to dodge the tax paying.
@Jarlath
“those unelected EU officials do a far better job than those voted for in the house of Commons”
—-
It may appear so but they have a far easier job because they have no direct responsibilities. The EU can create all the regulations and directives it wants safe in the knowledge that it doesn’t have to do the “dirty work” of implementing and inflicting them on the National populations..and when they fail to deliver, it is obviously where the blame will fall
Will Brexit discourage other EU countries from leaving?
No, Brexit will encourage all those who know in their gut what they are lined up for within this club is tumult. And that horror show will be upon them before they can say Jack Robinson. The EU army will have your children and grandchildren quickly rounded up for conscription to a war as horrific as the first World War. Your children, both male and female, under the equality laws, will be at the mercy of the equivalent and worse. And ask this, who and what will they be dying for? Do any of you really want to fight to the kill for the politics being pushed down your throats today? Do you really believe in the politically correct jargon forced on your sanity and will you be behind it with the lives of your sons and daughters? What will it achieve?
I think the Dutch, Italians, Hungarians, Austrians, as well as the French, are at their wits end. The fight for freedom at the grass roots, is already well on the cards, so Brexit and its created happiness as we flourish, will be seen as a saviour for our collective historical ancestry and cultural cohesion will prevail.
Globalism is dead. And the wealthy funders of this fiasco rolling in the grand theft of austerity, will end up in shite city, Marie Antoinette style.
The only advantage tue UK has is its relation to Canada, Australia and USA. How will you compete with Asia in a world where markets and money rule tue world?
It will be definitly interesting to see if there will be more good or bad sides.. for me from a economic sie it makes no sense. In today’s world who cares about a small county?
Wow!
Will Brexit discourage other EU countries from leaving?
Trickery will not go unnoticed for eternity. And if any of the EU countries feel, as the British did and do, that chicanery took them into the EEC, then leave they will. You cannot keep a nation shackled, via propaganda, when reality exposes truth.
This great orator exposed what was done to the British via their fellow man. It was never accepted as set in stone since then. And will not be accepted as set in stone now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Alld4Og2sTE
You cannot discourage a citizen of any nation who seeks freedom from demanding it.
“Once we’re outside, people will see the benefits of Britain being outside the EU as a positive” – write Jonathan Bullock.
How should such benefits emerge? Can additional barriers for trade and people bring them about? Or self-exclusion from decision-making on the continent? Or bringing oneself in a far weaker position when dealing with powers like the US or China?
Brexit is highly irrational. It cannot implemented in a way, which would bring the benefits for Britain. Thus, the British do not know how to go ahead. And after fully understanding the nonsense they are doing, the British will return in one or two decades.
The question is problematic. Britain is not a nation state but an union and has also colonial past. Britain’s historical development is quite different from continental Europe and anti-Europe sentiment has always been strong in British political and cultural sphere. Britain, for example, always avoided monetary union. I think EU nations are well aware of the fact that leaving EU is not a solution in a highly globalised word.
No. I dont think so. EU, will disapear before that, because we are fed up of the burocrats and leftists
Probably but the best would be to have a strong EU which protect European citizens fr illegal migrations and from Chinese dumping and agressive commercial policy
I don t think Brexit will be so bad for UK…. As Trump is not so bad for USA… You should change your software… NATIONS are good to people more than EU
If the UK doesn’t experience any negative effects, then it will encourage other EU countries to leave. We’ll have to wait and see.
I hope so.
Hope so
No. They do not have colonial age residuals as Northern Ireland to care about.
Yes…..I think so….Italy for example…☺
Certainly
Thanks to the British politicians none will want to leave the EU now, none will dare to demand a Referendum over this issue..
Thank you Britain for enforcing EU..
people weren’t given a referendum if they wanted this political union either..
🇮🇹🇪🇺
Hopefully
I don’t think any have the slightest intention of leaving. There is no benefit in doing so. No one is surprised at the complexity of the negotiations. If I was for leaving ( I’m not ) I would take Mays deal. It went ok until our parliament knocked it back
Europe needs to stay strong and can only do that as a unit
Uh ….May’s no deal, more like . Lol
EU will break up sooner or later.
The Brexit is a failure and the generator of this failure has been simpleton and stupid populisms.
the “stupid populism” as she calls it, it’s the wanting of the people who expressed themselves democratically with a referendum.
if the referendum is a democratic expression, then Scotland should be free to join the EU!
Europe needs to stay strong !!
Is the torn EU flag in the picture an omen for the future?
Enoch Powell Dec 1976 “prophecy” is a speech to be remembered! But probably dismissed as dangerous populism by the EU leadership of today, their elitist friends, think tanks & political serfs.
What went wrong during the decade-long building process while constructing a free market economic model incorporating all willing, deserving and capable European Nations?
This whole exercise has turned into a political nightmare & quagmire because of the ADDED condition to abide to strict central political oversight by Brussels (“how-ever sweet such definition may be phrased”) using a step by step approach to install political & legal structures to control and direct all and everything- EVERYWHERE in Europe- eventually!
That will result:
* in the destruction of all 28 remaining National parliaments.
* stripping away ALL Nations sovereignty on the march to a Unitary European State.
* demoting & reducing them to Provisional Councils & Regions with limited powers of self
rule & self determination.
It appears a perfect scenario of the revival of “The Teutonic Order” and the resurrection of the “Holy Roman Empire”. Whoever supports the present such EU concept- supports the resurrection of the “Kaisers Empire”.
What is more frightening- Brexit, the EU or a coming Empire of old?
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Holy_Roman_Empire
Britain cannot leave the EU. It is tied legally to an amalgamated defense treaty and can’t get out of it. Buy a yellow vest and let’s get this European Spring started.
Let’s hope!! To make the eu understand to the citizens, you have to broadcast to the maximum the sheets published yesterday by the commissionil on brexit with “no deal”. for once very pedagogic, they give chills of horror !!! Who might be salutary to make those who are tempted by this type of walk on the edge of the abyss!!!
I hope so.
I hope not,hope that evry boddy sees what treasonable freakshow it realy is🤬
I think Brexit has discouraged many British from leaving!!
Look at the mess?
For sure!
I think it already have! Italian far right hasn’t been mentioning the EU exit referendum for ages.
EU= USSR
The Italians know that it would be much worse for Italy if there would be an exit from the EU. Britain is a stronger country and is in caos now, I can’t even think what would happen here!
We have a government of incompetent reactionists liars two faces politicians, an enormous public debt and so on, I cannot even imagine the caos!
The “EU” is the member states of the Union. All 27 had to vote on and approve the transitional agreement.. Negotiated over two years. ” they”? The reason for the dates now agreed is the elections. The Commission will not be there. A new commission will come after the elections. If we do end up taking part. It will be an education. Electing candidates to the ” unelected dictatorship”?
Both the former communists and the former neonazis in the Swedish parliament have abandoned their Swexitplans. I think it’s because of Brexit.
Free Catalonia!
We have witnessed how the referendum has been tearing apart rather than benefiting the country. Even worse, the formulation of government policy appears to be in a stand still for the parliament and prime minister have been struggling to realize the Brexit even though they do not know where it would lead the country too. They look so helpless. If Brexit is such a good idea, why those support it are afraid of Brexit without deal? Why political parties have to struggle so fiercely on how to exit? If we have time to take a look at The Crowd, Gustave Le Bon’s study of the popular mind, it appears that elites are being dragged by the crowd towards the cliff. Shall the future of a country be dictated by a simple majority of the voters, which is roughly 1/3 only? Isn’t this a tragedy of democracy? We appear to have seen the “death of Socrates”, this is the tyranny of “[simple] majority”!
I don’t think any nation apart from the UK has seriously considered leaving the EU,true a lot of people are very unhappy,hence the rise of far right parties in nearly ever country,except Britain funnily enough.
from what i hear it has already strengthened support for the EU in other member states. Let’s be honest, we all like to have a moan every now and again but nobody wants to be in the UK’s place right now. they have shot themselves through the foot.
@ Nadya
The British have a different point of view, the majority feel many citizens of EU states have been indoctrinated by mass propaganda, leading to many having acquired a form of Stockholm Syndrome.
https://www.britannica.com/science/Stockholm-syndrome
The only countries who should want to Leave the EU are those who have been brought to abject poverty by belonging. Even, those who have seen an enormous unwanted lifestyle change since joining, as the British people have should call into question their allegiance. Since belonging to the EU, culturally, economically, crime, educational expectation, financial stability, health care, has all dramatically changed for the worse in the UK. Even our justice system and work prospects have gone from full employment and law stability to large swathes of unemployment, illegality and fear. Homelessness, begging on our streets, mass murder, rape are all something rarely experienced in the UK prior to being part of the EU. Their policy of open door migration has created no go areas in many of our communities, hate crime, as it is called, didn’t exist, acid attacks, child mutilation by ritual, as with obia witchcraft and so on. These crimes were non existent 50 years ago. Now they are a plague on our society and it is directly due to EU exploitation of our British lifestyle.
How any state could be ready to accept that as a daily routine would indicate a shift in sanity. From civilised expectation to a less safe environment, as we have seen is appalling. The GB general public is no longer willing to allow such horror to be imported into their environment, without questioning the motives behind organisations or political dogma that would sanction such an introduction to their safety and way of life.
What you should ask yourself is, why are you happy with that? And if indeed happy, how did you reach such a low expectation for Western evolution?
Cathrine, you are sure that OTHERS are brain-washed? Because it sounds like you have fear of the future and the natural development of things and you blame the EU for everything that you don’t like. You make a whole cocktail of things in your response, which shows general poor understanding of current affairs. I will not go into details but all I’ll say is your response does not really answer the question of the debate. The truth is that Brexit has strengthened support for the EU in other countries because ultimately everyone understands that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. We all like to complain a bit every now and again but sadly the UK didn’t know when it was time to stop. Perhaps because UK politicians have hijacked Brexit to push their personal agendas and it is just too easy to manipulate UK public opinion, as is evident by your response to me.
You also come across as patronising when you try to tell people what they should think. But patronising attitude has been an element in the Brexit debate and seems to be an aspect of British culture that it is patronising towards others. Ultimately, the break-down of the UK’s relationship with the EU and the failure of Brexit negotiations constitute a cultural clash to a large extent. Clearly, the British mentality and way of doing things have failed and have got the country into trouble. So, please, keep your advice to yourself. We don’t want to be in your place and have the sense to avoid it.
Has the whole Brexit experience been so humiliating for Britain that it will discourage other countries from leaving the European Union? When I look at my own country I don’t think so. On the 21st of March there were elections in the Netherlands. The voters elected the members of the Provincial Councils and the Electoral Colleges, who in turn elect the members of the Senate. This year we had one party which rose extremely from zero to twelve seats in the Senate. This was an Eurosceptical party called ‘Forum voor Democratie’ (Forum for Democracy), with as political leader Thierry Baudet. Publications of him are ‘Pro Europe therefore against the EU’, ‘The Significance of Border. Why representative government and the rule of law require nation-states’ and ‘Break the Partycartel. The nescessity of referendums’. These publications already show us some comparative aspects with the current Brexit discussion. However, Baudet’s opinions don’t only remain to his publications. Forum for Democracy calls the European Union: a boundless expanded and undemocratic idol, an outdated governance model and a cartel on top of a cartel. According to them, the European Union is non-reformable. However, what is the most similar to UK’s Brexit is the fact that Forum for Democracy is in favour of a referendum about the European Union, just like what happened in the United Kingdom regarding the Brexit.
In my opinion, this party can be dangerous for the Netherlands’ membership of the European Union. The statements of Forum for Democracy can be considered as alarming. Casper Thomas recently (March 27, 2019) published the article “Baudet redt de wereld” (“Baudet saves the world”) in the Dutch newspaper ‘De Groene Amsterdammer’ in which he states that the Netherlands can be seen as amenable for the rise against liberal democracy. According to him, Baudet can be seen as a threat to independent institutions like free press and free science, which is considered as a worldwide rise against liberal democracy with which I completely agree. However, Forum for Democracy sees themselves as a lifebuoy for the society that tends to perish.
Personally, I think this situation in the Netherlands shows us that the Brexit, until now, didn’t discouraged other EU countries from leaving. Yes, this may be only the opinion of one party but it is a party which is increasing in popularity. There are indeed still Eurosceptical sentiments growing in popularity in the Netherlands, therefore I argue that Brexit can’t be seen as a national humiliation or a discouragement.
It would probably have the opposite result, it would encourage other countries to consider the possibility of leaving EU. There are countries such as Deutschland where many parties have already supported the leaving before the English happenings. And these long term negotiations and the big fuss and the scandals took the Brexit into limelight. And it revealed a lot of advantages and disadvantages, but also showed the bad benefits of being a member of the EU. So the question of leaving should become one of the main issues of every country. Will europians decide to do away with EU or will Europe strengsten the connection between the member?
No. It will not. The all process was and is dealt with on such an unserious way by UK and EU that more countries will be tempted to play it again. Unfortunatly.
It hasn’t actually happened yet. If, when it happens, it will be a success, then it will probably encourage others to leave, if it leads to economic decline, then it will discourage them from doing so.
No
Well , we need change or we leave , it’s more like that .
No
Yes!
Nobody else likes to leave the EU other than England
No….brexit has problems because mp ‘s of today do not want it really…..They don’t represent the will of the people…A new parliament…or a new referendum are the solutions.
The will of the people who give vent to their anger based on situations caused largely by domestic policy decisions, fear, misinformation/fake news or rather blunt lies, I’m afraid to say
Its such a political mess and economic loss that only the very stupid will ever wish to leave.
What economic loss? Do you have any data to back that up?
Yes. A lot of data. Brexit is already damaging the economy before it actually started. It will be much worse later. Bernard, please read The Economist or the Financial Times. All my clients are losing money with Brexit.
Can you please cite some of the data as to the supposed economic disaster that’s happened so far? If you clients are losing money with anything, then maybe you’re the problem?
UK a range of universities and consultancies carry out research, studies, projects for the Commission. This way they generate income, create jobs etc. Once the UK is out, this will stop. UK universities are involved in many European research projects, once the UK leaves, this stops unless they can negotiate further participation, but this will also mean paying into the pot again without having the possibility to have a say in the programmes. The EU medicines agency has moved from London to Amsterdam… UK companies/institutions had contracts with them….gone, agencies often have local support staff…need to contract cleaning services, repair work etc out…the EU Banking authority also moved out. This also means their staff don’t spend their money anymore in the UK.
No! The German Union (aka EU) is already finished and it is matter of few years for other to follow this example and leave behind the Union of corrupted and inhuman bureaucrats of Brussels and the liars and lobbyists who support it! Nobody supports this EU unless he or is he is paid directly or indirectly from it 😉 There is no ideology or any genunine intentions left to them!
Pavlos I’m not paid but I love the EU and believe we should remove a lot of power from the member states to the much saner and more pluralistic EU.
I actually implied those who have indirect payments or “benefits” from the EU such as fundings, exchange programmes and other privileges given to individuals, to organisations or corporations. Hence its not only about those who are paid directly from the “Union” 😉 As of your vision about the “pluralistic” German Union (aka “European”) sadly for you but even Guardian published a research earlier that the majority of citizens of European nations see your Union collapsed in 20 years from now. The beginning of the end is already before the eyes who are sincere and open to self-critic enough to see it. I am sorry, get well soon
I can understand that you are upset about decisions taken as regards GR. However, please don’t mix different issues.The EU is all Member States. The fact that GR was in a precarious situation was not caused by the EU. Yes, the subsequent measures have caused a lot of hardship among citizens. But to discredit people working in many different areas to achieve common objectives is not fair.
No. It actually helped all EU reformer parties and skeptics to shed light on the EU overreaching and authoritarian tendencies. Helping citizens to realize that we are not free to pursue our own future unless we abide silently and diligently with the decisions made by unelected bureaucrats in Brussels.
the decisions are not made by unelected bureaucrats, why is this myth still being spread alrhough there us umpteen info of how it works. Even BBC explains it in an easily understandable way. The heads of state of the still 28 Member States set the big guidelines. These heads of states/governments get into their jobs based on elections in our countries, or don’t they? The Commission’s job is to propose, prepare regulations, policies etc and to follow-up if countries put in place what they have agreed to. Because it is the national Ministers responsible for the respective field and the Members of the EU Parliament who co-decide. The Ministers have been selected by the head of government/state…yes, we cannot vote for them directly…but this is not the fault of the EU….but we elect the Members of the EU Parliament…and we could communicate with them, we can check how they vote when regulations etc are passed…..IN the Commitee of the Regions our regional and local governments are represented; the Ecocomic and social council is older than the Parliament. There our national employer and employee organisations and civil society orgs are represented. They give their opinion on regulations, and soft law; they can also initiate/propose such initiatives.The Commission conducts public consultations on a range of issues, in which we are invited to participate…we just need to check…and we can also request that they look into specific theme, although the conditions are more complex than they are nationally for petitions. The EU is not perfect and there is a lot that could and should be improved….Unfortunately, national policy makers tend to play a strange game. For measures that popular they take the praise (what I have achieved for our country….although the idea should be to achieve the best possible for the Union, for those that are less popular, they put the blame on Brussels, as if they had never been involved, participated or even agreed….The text of each single regulation has many authors. Based on a draft by the Commission and internal consultation, Members of the Parliament propose amendments, and then natinal Ministers (national civil servants) propose changes as they see fit…..in many cases these three partners have long negotiations…or they may even get stuck…at the end the text often looks quite different from the original one. Authoritarian tendencies actually exist in some Member States, unfortunately…and I simplycannot understand why people accuse ‘the EU’ meaning some mysterious body in Brussels of being authoritarian and turn a blind eye on what is hapoening in their own countries
My definition of elected is i go vote for candidates. If they are appointed by elected officials they remain appointed and not elected. If we are not allowed to elect/pick those officials that are proposing laws to parliament we have no way of A judging these officials. And B chosing them based on they policy proposals.
So yes the decision are officially finalized in the parliament, giving the impression that the process is demovratic. But parliament is not allowed to propose laws but is elected. Hence we citizens are electing people that we hope will end up voting correctly for laws they are not even proposing. You are free to think what you please. But i like my parliaments elected and with power to propose laws. And those who are appointed very far away from the legislative process.
No. Everyone wants out.
what polls have YOU been looking at?
The writing on the wall. Europe’s turning to right-wing nationalists to do something about mass (Muslim) immigration.
The Brexit was/is a good idea but the english politicians were not fast to implement It.
nor do they have a plan for the customs union, the Irish border, or the 350 million for NHS
politicians are the modern plague.
No
Hope not.
it laid bare the rotten eu structures. they never wanted to reform, sleepwalking in their belief of its perfection and righteousness, they never heard the uk calls for reform and treated the uk with arrogance and sarcasm. it showed their weakness, not the uk’s. they did everything they could to make the divorce as difficult as possible to teach other member-states a lesson never to dare leave this ‘union of equals’, which it never has been… the british people never had even close rights in anything in any other member-states, as the citizens of other member-states do in the uk. the
sooner we leave ‘la piovra’ and stand on our own feet, the better. it’s naïve to imagine that there will be no difficulties, because there will be, but we’ll manage it because we have everything to succeed. we’ve got to have a higher esteem of ourselves and believe in ourselves… we will survive, as it goes…
Most likely yes
Whooo hooo Boris don’t let the dirty French dictate to you if need be hard Brexit it is !! Don’t give up the British fishing grounds!! the rest of Europe will fall in line cut the French off now , we definitely don’t need them