‘I feel entirely vindicated’: three Guardian columnists debate Brexit and its legacy
Ten years on, our writers met to reflect on whether leaving the EU has made the UK richer or more racist – and how the union is doing without us
TL;DR
- The Brexit vote evoked strong emotions of anger and confusion, leading to a "curdling into a really base form of racism."
- There was a significant lack of planning by the Leave campaign leaders regarding the practicalities of Brexit.
- The push for a "hard Brexit" is attributed partly to political maneuvering, with Jeremy Corbyn's refusal to cooperate with Remainers being a key factor.
- Some believe the debate has shifted to more technical aspects like trade and regulations, while others argue that extremism, particularly on race, has been normalized.
- The economic impact of Brexit is estimated to be a 6-8% hit to GDP, with businesses experiencing significant uncertainty.
- There is ongoing discussion about whether the UK should rejoin the EU, with differing opinions on the best approach to potentially re-engaging with European structures.