From the NHS to holidays: Have your say on the five Brexit questions still dividing Britain

A. Ten years on from the referendum, Britain remains deeply divided over Brexit.

Supporters argue that leaving the European Union restores Britain’s sovereignty, gives governments greater control over laws and borders and creates new opportunities outside the bloc.

Critics say it has made the country poorer, complicated trade and travel and put extra pressure on public services without delivering on many of the promises made during the campaign.

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As part of us Europe: Return Road offer, Independent It has published a series of discussions exploring the five biggest questions still shaping Britain’s relationship with Europe.

Below, we’ve compiled the main arguments from both sides, along with some of the most thought-provoking comments from readers.

Was Brexit successful?

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Tom Harwood, deputy political editor at GB News, argues Brexit should be judged primarily on sovereignty rather than economy, saying the UK has regained control over its own laws and avoided being swayed by the EU’s commitment to “closer union”.

He also points out that employment has remained strong after the referendum, NHS funding has increased and the UK’s ability to avoid regulations that he argues could hinder innovation, such as the EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act.

Leave succeeded… Britain no longer bound by agreements to move quickly towards federal political union

Counterclaim

PoliticsJoe’s political editor Ava Santina argues that Brexit fails to solve the problems many voters hoped it would, instead leaving Britain facing slower growth, weaker investment and additional barriers to trade.

He said politicians should stop rehashing the referendum and focus instead on rebuilding closer economic ties with Europe.

People voted for change – but it’s clear Brexit doesn’t solve the economic and social problems that led to that vote

Your opinions

“NO [Brexit was not a success!] But could this be a success? Maybe. “The idea was great, but the execution was quite controversial.” – rasputin007

“Not yet, but it will eventually happen when we have a government that will take full advantage of Brexit.” – King’s Forest

Has leaving the EU ruined Brits’ holidays abroad?

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IndependentAnnabel Grossman, global travel editor at , argues that Brexit inevitably makes travel more complicated, ending free movement and introducing passport validity rules, a 90-day limit in the Schengen Area and soon biometric entry systems and travel permits.

Stress-free travel was an inevitable loss

Counterclaim

Economics professor Len Shackleton argues that Brexit has encouraged Britons to broaden their horizons, with increasing numbers traveling to destinations such as Japan, Morocco, Croatia and Thailand rather than relying on traditional European holidays.

Our holiday options are much greater than in the past

Your opinions

“Brexit has been a disaster in general, but especially when it comes to travel.” – InnocentAudience

“EU bureaucracy was not designed specifically for the UK… but encouraging long-haul flights would do little good.” – God

What impact has leaving the EU had on the NHS?

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Mark Dayan of the Nuffield Trust argues that Brexit undoubtedly creates challenges for the NHS, particularly around staffing and drug supply, but says it also gives the UK greater flexibility around medicines regulation, recruitment and medical innovation.

Any change on this scale creates losers as well as winners

Counterclaim

Junior doctor Dr Holly Smith said Brexit had weakened one of the NHS’s greatest strengths by making it harder to recruit and retain European healthcare staff, while the promised financial support never materialised.

‘£350 million a week’ once traveled the country alongside a bus bound for our hospitals. 10 years have passed and that bus still hasn’t arrived.

Your comments

“Failure to benefit from Brexit has damaged the NHS. Both the Conservative Party and Labor are responsible for this.” – Kingswood

“Brexit has taken a large pool of EU professionals out of the NHS… Add austerity and social care problems and you have the staffing crisis of today.” – Herbaceous

Has Brexit been good for the UK economy?

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Economist Julian Jessop argues that Brexit would allow the UK to regain control over trade, regulation and taxation, while saving billions in EU contributions. He believes that long-term economic success depends on how governments use these freedoms.

Brexit laid the foundations for a stronger economy

Counterclaim

Organised Independent Columnist Sean O’Grady argues that the evidence increasingly points to Brexit making Britain poorer, citing estimates that GDP is around six per cent lower than it otherwise would be.

It argues that barriers to trade and weak investment lead to long-term costs that new trade agreements cannot fully cover.

We are poorer than we would be otherwise

Your opinions

“Brexit was an accident waiting to happen! There was no strategic planning to help the transition from the EU to world market trading.” – sharp focus

“The impact of Covid is negligible compared to Ukraine and Iran. We are still among the top five economies.” – LennyThunderhawk

Has Brexit allowed Britain to ‘take back control’ of its borders?

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Former diplomat Ameer Kotecha argues that Brexit delivers exactly what voters want by ending free movement and allowing Britain to design its own immigration system.

He says record migration reflects political decisions made after Brexit rather than Brexit itself.

England regained control but chose not to enforce it.

Counterclaim

Journalist Marie Le Conte argues that Brexit technically increases Britain’s control over immigration, but fails to satisfy those who want to reduce immigration, while also making the small boat crisis harder to manage after leaving EU asylum regulations.

The referendum… managed to please no one

Your comments

“Most of those who voted Leave wanted a reduction in immigration, but many did not. The whole issue was surrounded by confusion and perhaps not at all dishonesty.” – foreign area

“’Taking back control’ was just a slogan.” – Left-handed and proud

Have your say now

Ten years after Britain voted to leave the European Union, the debate remains as heated as ever. For every argument that Brexit restores Britain’s sovereignty and opens up new opportunities, there is another argument that it makes the country poorer, less connected and more isolated.

Whether you believe Brexit is a success, a failure, or something in between, we’d like to hear from you. Join the discussion in the comments below and be sure to vote in the polls above.

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