"We will deal with Brexit", the British conservatives assured. But this did not turn out to be so easy and the problem has become chronic. Now London wants a new deal with the EU, but is such a deal possible, asks ARD.
„We will deal with Brexit", assured Boris Johnson. The words of the then British Prime Minister sounded unambiguous - as if the work of leaving the EU was done.
But, as ARD points out, things are not so simple. The United Kingdom left the Community, but relations between them are constantly being tested. Current Prime Minister Keir Starmer wants to negotiate a better deal with the EC. It would allow people's situation to improve, he told the “Sun" newspaper.
Dramatic decline in turnover
The latest available data clearly shows how important a trading partner the EU is for Britain. In 2021 and 2022, the turnover of British companies with Europe decreased by 32.5 billion euros - because of Brexit, according to research by the London School of Economics.
Small and medium-sized companies in particular have had to stop or severely limit their trade with the EU, writes ARD, explaining that the bureaucracy is too great and the costs - very high.
The British government is under great pressure - there is no revenue, economic growth could be significantly higher. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves even recently attended a meeting of European finance ministers.
A rather unusual visit
During the Conservative government, such a visit was unthinkable, ARD notes. In Brussels, Reeves announced a restart of relations with the EU. "We must do more to stimulate growth, to promote competitiveness and trade," she stressed.
Negotiations on a new trade agreement are due to begin in early 2025. If British food and agricultural producers adhere to European standards, trade would probably be facilitated, as inspections, bureaucracy and paperwork would be eliminated.
This is a real nightmare for Brexit supporters, ARD further points out. The Sun newspaper already trumpets: “Brussels wants to take back control”.
Labour is in retreat
Therefore, the Labour government has to constantly emphasize that it is not about cancelling Brexit.
Finance Minister Reeves said: “In our election manifesto, we promised to stimulate growth. However, we also said that there would be no return to the EU internal market, there would be no customs union, nor free movement of workers”.
Respectively, the British government is back where it was - it is faced with all the complex issues and requirements of the EU. Things are definitely not all rosy, the German public-law media outlet notes in this regard.
There is one important question: Who will bear responsibility in legal disputes? The British reject the Court of Justice of the EU, and the Europeans have their own interests: it is about fishing and the free movement of pupils and students, which the British have not accepted so far.
All this means that the promise "We will deal with Brexit" is an illusion. It would be more accurate to say "Life with Brexit", commented ARD.
The US must also be taken into account
The talks with the EU are a delicate topic, since from the British point of view there is also the question of whether the agreements with the EU will not prevent the conclusion of an agreement with the US. The British government is still hesitating.
The hope is to kill two birds with one stone - to have economic benefits from both agreements. Or will concessions to the Europeans hinder the flexibility and the advantages of leaving the EU, praised by Brexit supporters?
ARD does not hide that it is difficult to make an assessment - not least because of Donald Trump's stated intentions to introduce trade tariffs, ARD also points out.