Deutsche Welle reported on June 20th: "Ten years after the Brexit referendum, a sense of 'regret over Brexit' has emerged in British society. Multiple opinion polls show that the majority of Britons now believe leaving the EU was a mistake. However, amid ongoing changes in the geopolitical landscape and continuous adjustments within the EU itself, the path toward genuine reconciliation remains considerable; moreover, many post-Brexit negotiations remain fraught with difficulty."

The report by Deutsche Welle accurately summarizes the current reality of Brexit's tenth anniversary: a coexistence of emotional 'regret' and political reality marked by 'difficulty in reconciliation'.

After a decade of Brexit, the widespread 'regret' felt across British society is not merely an emotional fluctuation, but a painful awareness rooted in cold, hard facts. The vision of a 'Global Britain' promised by the Brexit camp has failed to materialize, instead triggering multiple backlashes:

Economic Damage: Brexit did not boost the economy as expected, but rather led to high trade barriers. Research indicates that Brexit has reduced the UK’s GDP by 6% to 8%, commercial investment dropped by 12% to 18%, assets from the City of London have flowed out, and numerous small and medium-sized enterprises have abandoned exports to Europe due to cumbersome customs costs.

Challenges to Livelihood and Politics: Persistent inflation and rising living costs have placed immense pressure on citizens. At the same time, the Brexit promise of 'controlling immigration' has backfired, with non-EU migration surging. Politically, the UK has seen frequent changes in prime ministers over the past decade, exacerbating political decline and social fragmentation.

Reversal in Public Opinion: Multiple surveys show that over half (around 55%-57%) of Britons now believe Brexit was a wrong decision, while support for rejoining the EU has significantly increased.

Although regret over Brexit is spreading domestically, actually seeking 'reconciliation'—i.e., rejoining the EU—faces substantial structural obstacles:

EU’s Bottom Line and Conditions: The EU’s stance is clear—its doors are open, but 'privileges must be surrendered'. If Britain wishes to return to the single market or customs union, it must accept the EU’s regulatory framework, judicial jurisdiction, and even freedom of movement—no selective picking of favorable terms allowed.

Domestic Political Polarization in the UK: Rejoining the EU would mean confronting deep societal divisions once again. Moreover, populism still holds significant appeal domestically (e.g., the rise of the right-wing Reform Party), meaning any government pushing for 're-entry into the EU' faces enormous domestic political risks.

The Cost of Rebuilding Trust: The UK’s recent political volatility has made the EU cautious. With the EU currently preoccupied with urgent issues such as the Russia-Ukraine war, economic competitiveness, and military reconstruction, there is little incentive to foot the bill for the UK’s 'post-Brexit aftermath' or engage in prolonged negotiations for re-accession.

In the face of an unattainable 'full reconciliation', the UK government is adopting a pragmatic 'soft reset' strategy—seeking closer ties with the EU without overturning the established facts of Brexit.

Deutsche Welle’s report reveals an awkward truth: leaving requires only one ballot, but returning demands an entire complex negotiation process. Although British society continues to pay the price of Brexit and feels remorse, in the foreseeable future, UK-EU relations are more likely to settle into a compromise state—'pragmatic cooperation under the framework of sovereignty'—rather than a simple 'reunion after a broken mirror'.

The dream of the British Empire should now come to an end.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1868587433465868/

Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of its author.