Brexit must be treated as any other policy and pragmatism must win the day
The vote to leave the European Union became not so much a question of what Britain’s relationship with the single bloc should be but rather a protest against the establishment with communities that felt neglected lashing out.
Yet a decade on from the vote, even more people are discontent with the state of affairs in Britain.
It would be remiss to not acknowledge the impact that Covid and the Ukraine war have had on the economy. But the promises made during the referendum ten years ago have failed to materialise or if they have been realised, they have come with unintended consequences.
Unfortunately, the bitter referendum campaign has polarised the country. Those who never wanted to leave the EU, refuse to accept that Britain will have to work outside the single bloc.
While those who voted Brexit refuse to allow for any criticism of what is essentially policy. No other policy would be greeted with such emotional outcry. The divisions Brexit brought to the fore have still not healed.
However, if Britain is going to stop lurching from crisis to crisis, swapping one government for another, it needs to start looking forward.
There is clearly an appetite amongst the majority to form a closer relationship with the EU. Any partnership that delivers improvement for the country is to be welcomed. And British industries such as agriculture should never be undermined in a bid to justify Brexit.
That is not to say that the wishes of those who voted to leave the EU should not be respected. Pragmatism must win the day.
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Today, Rose Mason and Ralph Blackburn reflect a decade after the decision to leave the EU changed politics.
Across a series of exclusive articles released on Monday online on The Yorkshire Post, the public perception and mood of Brexit is highlighted.
“Leaving the European Union has completely reshaped the landscape for British agriculture,” the president of the National Farmers’ Union has said, reflecting on 10 years since the referendum.
“Yorkshire was particularly poorer because of the importance of farming, manufacturing and food production,” North Yorkshire business owner Jo Foster said.
Unfortunately, the bitter referendum campaign has polarised the country, we believe.
Follow the rest of our coverage of the special here.