Furious Brexit debate breaks out as Remainers back returning to EU single market

UK and EU Sign Memo for Post-Brexit Finance Regulation

Earlier this week, Tory grandee Tobias Ellwood urged members of his party and the Opposition to have the “courage” to voice what they privately think: that Brexit has failed and the country ought to rejoin the Single Market (SM), the i reports.

The cornerstone of the EU’s “four freedoms” for the movement of people, goods, services and capital, such a move would effectively bring the UK back under the wing of Brussels.

The Chairman of the Defence Select Committee is not alone in voicing despair. Even former UKIP leader and arch-Brexiteer Nigel Farage declared “Brexit has failed” back in May, claiming the Conservatives had “let us down very, very badly.”

In resigning as an MP last month, Boris Johnson – the man who would ultimately “Get Brexit Done” – pinned his political demise on a Remainer plot to “reverse the 2016 referendum result”.

With enthusiasm seemingly waning at the top, Express.co.uk sought to find out what the British people thought of the matter.

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Running from 8am on Tuesday, July 4, to 10am on Wednesday, July 5, Express.co.uk asked readers: “Should the UK seek to rejoin the EU single market?”

A total of 32,785 readers voted, with a staggering two-thirds, 69.5 percent (22,788 voters) answering “Yes”, Brexit ought to be undone.

The remaining 30.2 percent (9,906 voters) said “No”, coming out against such a U-turn, and 0.3 percent (91 voters) opting not to weigh in on either side.

The poll was quickly picked up by influential Remainer Twitter accounts and circulated widely within those circles. Furious debate over Brexit’s legacy and future ensued in the comments.

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Bewilderment at the result was perhaps the most common emotion expressed in the comments below the accompanying article. Username CooleRaine wrote: “Wow, a majority of DE [Daily Express] readers voting to join the SM. That’s surely a sign that the Brexit battle has finally been lost.”

Shortly after the poll went live, the story was shared on Twitter by Save British Farming founder and SM campaigner Liz Webster, under the caption: “I know it’s the BrExpress, but it has an important poll and your votes are needed!!”

Hundreds among her 43,500 followers headed the call, posting regular updates as the tide gradually swung in favour of rejoining. Many also left comments below the accompanying article.

Username arrowfield10 said: “Looking like the game is up. Brexit has failed. 52 percent wanted it. Boris had an 80-seat majority and he messed it all up. With no benefits to show and plenty of negatives it’s time to rejoin.”

Username Ukssr, meanwhile, simply put: “Ellwood is correct. No one wants Brexit any more.”

In spite of this assertion, and the outcome of the poll itself, many were those fighting back against this narrative. Username JSM pointed out: “Membership of the SM is for EU members only. An associated membership of the SM is possible. It means: ‘Pay without a say’.”

Username aquilius furthered this thought: “We thought we were joining a trade group last time but look what happened, after years of “mission creep “ it ended up ruling us.”

A look at the economic figures alone provides a mixed picture. The importance of the EU as a trade partner had been falling long before Britons ever headed to the polls – from 42 percent of total international trade 20 years ago to 31 percent today. On the other hand, the Uk remains the only G7 country whose economy is yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels.

Username justmy2cents said: “EU in its current format is not a place to be associated with. The original thought behind EU was the right one, and one I believe everybody will gladly support any day – but what it developed into is not something anybody with a minimum of knowledge of democracy should support!”

Forbodingly, username jonesthedragon commented: “Well it appears that Poland is having a referendum to exit the EU and there are others who are not happy with its current form. So watch this space.”

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