Nick Thomas-Symonds' candid reflections on the Brexit decade offer a stark reminder of the seismic impact of the 2016 referendum. The UK's decision to leave the European Union has been a defining feature of British politics over the past decade, marked by unprecedented uncertainty, economic disruption, and a profound reshaping of the nation's relationships with its neighbours.
Speaking at an event organised by UK in a Changing Europe, the Minister for the Constitution and European Union Relations acknowledged the 'farce' of the campaign, which he said created 'exhaustion' and 'deep division' across the nation. He criticised the subsequent political landscape, stating that genuine discussions about sovereignty, trade-offs, and responsibility were often overshadowed by 'easy slogans and shouting matches'. The Minister admitted that both sides, including his own, at times 'behaved outlandishly', with 'Remainers' struggling to accept the loss and 'Leavers' pushing for the 'hardest Brexit deal possible'
Mr Thomas-Symonds highlighted several negative consequences he attributed to political choices made in the aftermath of the referendum. These included 'ten years of unprecedented uncertainty', 'bureaucracy that suffocated business', and 'changes that undermined our national security'. He cited examples such as increased costs for working-class people, small businesses struggling with paperwork, delayed supermarket deliveries, and lorries stuck in Kent. He also pointed to the loss of British revenue and the burden of 'incredibly complicated wet-stamped documents' for shipments, with some food 'rotting at the border'
Crucially, the Minister stressed that these outcomes were 'none of this was an inevitable consequence of the Brexit decision'. Instead, he asserted, 'These were choices made by the politicians at the time.' He indicated that since taking on his current role in July 2024, the government, working alongside the Prime Minister, has chosen 'another path', one which aims to 'respect the vote ten years ago' while also addressing the issues created by Brexit.
Looking ahead, Mr Thomas-Symonds emphasised the importance of protecting Britain's interests in a turbulent world. He highlighted the need for collective continental defence, stating that there is 'no British security, without European security'. The government's current strategy involves strengthening security and defence partnerships with European allies, including patrolling the Baltic and supporting Ukraine as a continent. Future plans include ongoing talks to join the Ukraine support loan scheme, reinforcing NATO alliances, and strengthening British defence industry ties across Europe, building on discussions from the May 2025 summit.