Brexit Deal: My Perspective on a Net Gain and the Reality Behind The Trade Agreement

The recent trade deal between the United Kingdom (UK) and the European Union (EU) signed on December 24, 2020, has been largely symbolic for the UK. It serves to demonstrate the public that the UK can now negotiate deals outside the EU framework. However, from a British perspective, there is little actual value, while for Australia, it means improved access to UK markets.

Why the Misconception?

The thinking behind Brexit was fundamentally flawed. It was often described as a "no win" scenario by non-partisan international observers. Even prominent figures like Michael Bloomberg harshly criticized the referendum result, calling it the most damaging decision of self-harm. Other notable opinions included Donald Trump, who surprisingly saw it as good for the UK, and Putin, who had his own ulterior motives.

Some Leave voters proudly proclaimed that they 'won' and saw the Brexit outcome as a way to 'take back control,' 'hold the cards,' and 'protect the borders.' However, these claims were merely rhetorical. The reality is that the UK has lost credibility and made ill-judged decisions that have significantly impacted its largest market, the EU, and has failed to address the fundamental issues that led to Brexit.

Net Gain in Question

The concept of a 'net gain' in the context of the Brexit deal is misleading at best. If the mantra of 'take back control' represents a net gain, then it is a hollow victory. Many Leave voters still rant about their supposed 'win,' but the rest of us who did not vote Leave must count the cost and seethe about the schemers who created this chaos. The EU continues to laugh at the UK, with some even joking that "there’s always Mississippi" or "Trump," who took a rather cynical view of the entire situation.

The Long-Term Perspective

If we look ahead, it will be decades before we see any benefits from the Brexit deal. Lord Alan Sugar once famously said the UK had made itself a laughingstock, and Tommy Robinson thought it might be okay (although his opinion is somewhat controversial).

Finally, it's important to understand that the term 'side' is not appropriate in this context. Just because the UK left a club, it doesn't mean the rest of the EU members are a 'side.' The UK's actions have exposed a lack of credibility and judgment, leading to reduced access to the UK's largest market. This not only affects the UK but also damages the other EU nations in the long run. They will get on with their lives, while the UK will spend years trying to recover from a problem that never truly existed, as argued by Jacob Rees-Mogg.

Conclusion

To summarize, the recent trade deal with the EU is more about symbolic gestures than substantial gains. The UK has exposed its lack of credibility and made ill-informed decisions that have negatively impacted its largest trading partner, the EU. It is essential to approach such trade deals with a realistic perspective and understand the long-term implications of such actions.