Ten years ago, the UK voted to leave the European Union.
To mark the anniversary, The New World has published a new book by Jonty Bloom, offering a compelling sector-by-sector account of the impact Brexit has had on our economy, businesses and daily lives.
A History of Brexit in 256 Disasters features a foreword by Alastair Campbell and illustrations by Martin Rowson. Packed with evidence, insight and analysis, it is an essential guide for anyone seeking to understand one of the most consequential moments in modern British history.
Subscribe today and get a SIGNED copy by Alastair Campbell. Stocks are limited so hurry to avoid missing out!
A foreword from Alastair Campbell
A lot was done, and even more was said, in the wake of the May 7 local elections, which delivered a major blow to the Labour Party, plunged Keir Starmer’s leadership into crisis, and left many wondering “what happened to ‘country first, party second?’”
Amid it all, though, as millions of words were devoted 24/7 across the airwaves and the web to analysing the various strengths and weaknesses, tactics and manoeuvres of the prime minister and of possible movers for his job such as Andy Burnham, Wes Streeting, Angela Rayner, Ed Miliband et al, two statements stood out for me.
“I don’t think anyone in this country wants to reopen the Brexit debate.” The words of culture secretary Lisa Nandy.
And this, stunningly, from Reform UK leader Nigel Farage… “Forget Brexit.”
In introducing Jonty Bloom’s brilliant analysis, which he has written in an attempt to ensure we do not “forget Brexit,” and that we keep the debate very much open and alive, I will take each of those statements in turn.
I do not put Lisa Nandy anywhere close to the Farage category of politician. However, when she says that “I don’t think anyone in this country wants to reopen the Brexit debate,” she knows that is simply not true. Many people want exactly that. Polls show it. The desertion of Labour supporters to the Greens is partly about it.
And I find it hard to believe that Lisa Nandy has not met the kind of people I meet all over the country, who tell me they won’t vote Labour again until the vague promise to “put Britain back at the heart of Europe” really means something.
It may be the case that “the country” would not exactly welcome resurrecting the lies and the chaos, the divisions across families and communities, some of which have never healed. That does not mean, however, that “the country” has not reached the conclusion that Brexit has inflicted considerable harm, and Jonty has done a great job in setting out the bald facts that make it hard for any reasonable, fair-minded person to think otherwise.
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