Ah, Andrew Duff, ever the Europhile troubadour, spinning tales of British regret and European redemption. But alas, his wistful lament for the United Kingdom’s return to the European Union is as fantastical as it is misguided.
Let us dissect his argument, piece by piece, and remind ourselves why Brexit was not merely a decision, but a destiny fulfilled.
The “Economic Case” for Rejoining? Nonsense
Duff waxes lyrical about the supposed economic benefits of rejoining the EU, as if the UK’s departure somehow triggered economic calamity. But let’s inject some facts into this romanticised narrative. Britain left an organisation riddled with stagnation—a European Union that for years has struggled with sluggish growth, unemployment crises, and a myopic obsession with centralisation.
Since Brexit, the UK has struck free trade agreements spanning the globe, from the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to bilateral deals with Australia, New Zealand, Japan and beyond. These are deals the EU could never have achieved with its Byzantine bureaucracy and competing national interests.
Yes, economic challenges exist. But these are not the fault of Brexit. They stem from global disruptions, such as the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and inflationary pressures. Rejoining the EU would not magically resolve these issues, nor would it shield us from the bloc’s mounting crises, from the eurozone’s debt woes to the overreach of its climate policies.
National Sovereignty Is Not “Spurious”
Duff dismisses sovereignty as a “spurious concept,” revealing the fundamental flaw in his argument. National sovereignty is not an outdated relic; it is the cornerstone of democracy. Brexit restored our ability to govern ourselves—to set our own laws, control our borders, and make trade deals in our own interest. The EU’s recent power grabs, including its relentless pursuit of centralised authority, only vindicate the decision to leave.
Take Ukraine, for example. While the EU dithers over accession protocols and incremental reforms, the UK has led the charge, providing military aid and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Kyiv against Russian aggression. This is what sovereignty enables: decisive action, unencumbered by the glacial pace of Brussels bureaucracy.
The Mirage of European Solidarity
Duff invokes the idea of European “shared culture and values” as though they are the exclusive preserve of the EU. Britain’s culture, history, and values predate the EU by centuries and will endure long after its bureaucrats have retired to their vineyards. True solidarity is not found in a bloated bureaucracy, but in genuine alliances. The UK has reinforced its bonds with like-minded democracies through forums such as NATO and AUKUS, while maintaining strong bilateral ties with European nations.
The Myth of Public Opinion
Ah, the pollsters’ favourite refrain: “The British people regret Brexit.” Yet no such mandate exists. The 2016 referendum delivered a clear verdict, and no subsequent election has overturned it. Duff conveniently ignores that Brexit was not merely a transactional decision—it was a vote for self-determination, an assertion of the British spirit against an increasingly undemocratic EU. The progressive minority he trumpets does not represent the quiet majority who value their nation’s independence.
Labour’s Dance with Rejoinerism
Starmer’s Labour Party may flirt with the idea of rejoining, but even they know it would be political suicide. The scars of the Brexit battles remain fresh, and any attempt to drag Britain back into the EU’s clutches would splinter Labour, alienate millions of voters, and embolden a resurgent Conservative movement. Starmer can tinker at the edges, but the door to rejoining is firmly closed.
A Modern European Country, Not a Subservient One
Duff’s closing flourish—that reversing Brexit would affirm Britain as a “modern European country”—betrays his misunderstanding of what it means to be modern. A modern Britain is global, not parochial. It looks outward, trading with the world, innovating in science and technology, and leading in defence and diplomacy. It does not need to sit at Brussels’ table to do so.
Conclusion: Forward, Not Backward
Brexit was not a mistake to be undone; it was a bold course correction. Britain reclaimed its place on the world stage, freed from the shackles of an overbearing supranational body. While Duff dreams of a return to the EU, the UK is busy charting its own path, guided by the principles of freedom, sovereignty, and opportunity.
So let’s leave the nostalgia to Andrew Duff and his fellow Europhiles. Britain’s future lies not in reversing course, but in pressing forward with the vigour and determination that has always defined our nation. We are better off out—and the world knows it.
Claire Bullivant
Join the Great British PAC
