Only 11 percent of Britons see Brexit as a success. However, most of its former supporters claim that the decision was the right one. "They will never admit they were wrong."
Dave Brent has been selling burgers in the small English town of Melton Mowbray for 15 years. He voted "yes" for Brexit, as did most of the 26,000 residents of the town located near Nottingham. Brent tells ARD that he would have voted the same way now - but that he had hoped for more. "Migration is out of control. And now it is entirely up to us to protect our borders."
According to a recent sociological survey, only 11 percent of Britons perceive Brexit as a success. However, the survey shows that two-thirds of former Brexit supporters still believe that leaving the EU was the right thing to do. Although many expected more.
Four percent lower growth
A sheep market is held every week near the burger joint, ARD reports. Due to high international demand, livestock farmers are currently charging record high prices for their animals. Most farmers in Melton and the surrounding area also supported Brexit before, and support it now. "Everything has actually gone well - except for the lack of subsidies, of course," farmer Ken Kitchen told the German public-law media outlet.
Almost everyone in the market is of the opinion that if they and the country as a whole are in a difficult situation, it is not due to Brexit, but to the Labour government that has been in power since the summer.
Growth in the UK remains weak. Brexit, which was implemented in 2020 by the Conservative government led by Boris Johnson, has further hit the British economy. The Office for Budget Responsibility, which controls and analyzes public finances, expects four percent less economic growth in the medium term due to Brexit.
A heavy blow to trade
Brexit has clearly not harmed the important service sector, especially in the financial sector, ARD notes. But the outlook for trade is worse - a 15 percent drop in turnover is expected in the long term. Small and medium-sized enterprises in particular have cut off trade with the EU.
Comby Cryan, co-founder of a small brewery in Melton, would prefer to sell his beers in Italy, France or Spain again. But that is simply too complicated and expensive. He says: "As an entrepreneur I look for other markets. But it breaks my heart that one day my children will no longer be able to live wherever they want in Europe."
"They will never admit their mistake"
In the evening, many of Melton's residents stop by the local pub. Among them is a group of members of the Liberal Democrats - a party considerably smaller than the two big ones - including the doctor Hamish Macauley. "Most of the negative consequences of Brexit have gone unnoticed by people, or they blame the pandemic that came immediately afterwards," he told ARD.
The Liberal Democratic Party is currently the only one that wants to return to the EU. Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer is in principle seeking closer ties with the EU, but the government is not questioning Brexit - not least for fear of a return to the poisonous debates of the past. Macaulay is understanding: "Any kind of closer ties with the EU will be perceived by Labour as a betrayal."
Jane Easton, in turn, told the German public-law media that she has lost friends over the Brexit debate. "They will never admit that it was a mistake and that they were misled by the lies of certain politicians." Macaulay nods and adds: "The Brexit debate has permanently shifted the boundaries. Right-wing populist and racist speech has become normal. This continues to influence our politics to this day."
Right-wing populists overtake Labour and Tories for the first time
As polls show, right-wing populist and Brexit supporter Nigel Farage's "Reform UK" party is ahead of the social democratic Labour Party and the Conservatives for the first time.
Brexit has failed, no one was more disappointed than him, Farage points out. He is now turning his attention to the increased number of migrants from outside the EU. Immigrants that the country urgently needs. In the summer general elections, Farage managed to enter parliament for the first time, ARD recalls.
As his party also puts pressure on the government, Labour must continue to balance - between getting closer to the EU for more growth, but without simultaneously reigniting the Brexit debate. The people of Melton Mowbray also realize: They are outside the EU and will remain so for the foreseeable future, summarizes ARD correspondent Maraike Aden.