AS the chancellor blames Brexit for damaging the UK’s economy, we ask: why didn’t anyone suggest there could be negative effects back in 2016?
It’s all very well telling the International Monetary Fund that it’s delivered a four per cent hit to our economy now. But it would have been genuinely useful for this information to be imparted in the years following the Leave vote.
Perhaps if the populace knew then they faced years of decline, they would have considered a softer Brexit or even a second referendum, rather than rushing headlong into the unknown.
Where were the economists then? Where was the principled opposition raising inconvenient facts? Caught up in the same excitement to throw off the shackles of tyranny as everyone else, no doubt.
And it’s not just the economy. These small boats never happened before Brexit. A few words about the consequences of withdrawing from EU immigration agreements would have been helpful!
Well, as Boris Johnson said when criticised for lack of planning at the Covid enquiry yesterday, everything is clear in hindsight. Actually he was prime minister when Brexit happened, though don’t make too much of that. An amusing coincidence, is all.
But, just as it would have been helpful if the realities of global warming were pointed out in the 1980s, perhaps next time there’s a looming disaster these clever dicks could speak up sooner.
Never mind, it’s done now so we shall have to make the best of it. How about a Reform government? Anyone got any reason why not? Didn’t think so.
