Michel Barnier, the EU's erstwhile chief negotiator, has offered a scathing verdict on Boris Johnson's motivations for backing Brexit. The former Prime Minister's supposed shift from a more pro-European stance, as revealed in a conversation with his father Stanley, was nothing more than a cynical ploy to secure power, according to Mr Barnier.
As the man who navigated four years of gruelling negotiations with multiple UK counterparts, including David Davis, Dominic Raab, Steve Barclay, and David Frost, Mr Barnier is uniquely positioned to assess the complexities of the Brexit process. He dismissed out-of-hand the notion that a second referendum was ever a viable option, and criticised figures like Nigel Farage for perpetuating what he terms the 'great lie' of Brexit – attributing all of the UK's problems to Brussels. While acknowledging that Mr Farage continues to secure election victories, Mr Barnier pointedly noted that he can no longer credibly blame the EU for the UK's issues.
Mr Barnier did not shy away from admitting historical 'mistakes' made by the EU, such as excessive bureaucracy and inadequate action on external border security. However, he stressed that these failures were by no means unique to Brussels, and that the UK was equally complicit in their creation. He expressed his 'incomprehension' at why the UK chose to leave rather than utilise its considerable influence to drive reforms from within.
In a significant development, Mr Barnier reiterated that it remains 'perfectly possible' for the UK to rejoin the EU in an increasingly unstable global environment. Crucially, he suggested that such a return could see the UK retain its previous opt-outs from key EU policies – specifically mentioning the euro and the Schengen Area. This perspective offers a potential pathway for future UK-EU relations that diverges significantly from the current post-Brexit arrangements.
His comments underscore the ongoing debate about the long-term implications of Brexit, as well as the enduring complexities surrounding the UK's relationship with the European bloc. The discussion around potential future membership – even on special terms – highlights the differing views on the UK's international standing and economic trajectory post-Brexit.
The implications of Mr Barnier's reflections extend to the ongoing political discourse within the UK, particularly concerning economic growth and immigration. His assertion that current UK problems are 'more difficult because of Brexit' directly challenges narratives from some pro-Brexit factions and contributes to the broader assessment of the decision's impact on the nation.