A decade on from the seismic decision to leave the European Union, the true extent of Brexit's impact is being laid bare in some of the country's key battleground constituencies. For those who backed Leave with such fervour, the reality has been a stark contrast to the promises made during the 2016 referendum campaign.
In Torridge and West Devon, where 57% voted for departure, Tony Rutherford – a local fisherman whose business was once hailed as a poster child for UKIP's policies on the British fishing industry – now paints a bleak picture. The outcome of Brexit has been, he claims, "an absolute nightmare" and a "shambles". Despite pre-referendum assurances that the UK would see an increase in fishing opportunities under its own trade deal, Rutherford asserts this has barely materialised. His business is struggling to cope with the significant new export costs introduced since January 2021 – including mandatory VAT registration in France, requiring a French accountant at £2,000 per month.
The additional burden of health certificates (£85 per shipment) and import documentation fees (up to £245 per consignment) means each export now comes with an extra £330 price tag. Rutherford recalls one particularly egregious example where a £47,000 shipment of ray and Dover sole was delayed for five days, subsequently spoiling due to the new regulations. Although a government compensation scheme covered some of this loss (£11,000), the ongoing costs have been substantial – with Rutherford estimating an additional £70,000 has come out of his own pocket.
Complications with French customs, including the precise adherence to 10-digit codes on lengthy health certificates, have led to the rejection of approximately eight shipments, with losses ranging from £15,000 to £50,000. Many merchants in the region, he notes, have abandoned exporting due to the prohibitive costs and risks. In a stark admission, Rutherford now regrets his Leave vote "one hundred per cent".
Just miles across the border in Wales, the picture is decidedly different. In Ceredigion, where 54.6% backed Remain, the impact of Brexit is viewed through a different lens. Mark Williams, the former Liberal Democrat MP for the area, who campaigned tirelessly for Remain, believes the outcome contributed to his own electoral defeat in 2017.
Both Williams and the current Plaid Cymru MP, Ben Lake, concur that the local agricultural sector has suffered since leaving the EU. Lake highlights upland sheep farmers – those reliant on subsidies – now facing shorter funding cycles, with two-year cycles a luxury compared to previous five-to-seven-year periods.
Despite most lamb exports still being sent to the EU, farmers are burdened with additional health and sanitary certificates and checks, adding significant time and expense. These changes have come as a hammer blow to many small businesses in these areas, where the economic reality of Brexit has been far removed from its original promise.