Bregret: Many Brits are Suffering from Brexit Regret
As the word suggests, Bregret is a combination of the words Brexit and regret. It is a term used in the media to capture how many in the UK are beginning to feel remorseful or disillusioned about the country’s decision, made during the 2016 European Union referendum, to leave the European Union.
Bregret has become an increasingly popular subject of debate over the last few years and, for many, the idea of having underestimated what life outside the EU could mean for the UK has become a hard reality.
What is Bregret?
Bregret expresses the feeling many have that Brexit has not delivered any of the benefits the Leave campaign promised in 2016.
Since the referendum, the UK has seen economic uncertainty, rising inflation, Brexit deadlock, and a watered-down vision for future UK-EU relations. This has fed into widespread unease about the referendum result, with Leave voters now increasingly voicing doubts about their choice.
Why is Bregret Growing?
Many in the UK are now beginning to realize and accept the reality of leaving the EU, and the costs of this move. The true impact of Brexit on the economy and job market has been revealed in the past year, alongside growing evidence of a lack of preparation for a no-deal Brexit.
It is not just Leave voters discovering Bregret – the softer stance on Brexit over the last year, with talk of close security and economic ties with the EU, has led some Remainers to think that leaving was perhaps not as disastrous as feared.
The Growing Role of Social Media
Social media platforms have also had a significant influence on the growth in Bregret. Because of their content’s immediacy and accessibility, these platforms have become a key source of information for Remainers, who have used them to share their disillusionment with the referendum result.
Similarly, many Leave voters now have access to information that was not available during the lead up to the referendum – more people are now recognizing the challenges Brexit could bring and this has fed into a sense of Bregret for many.
The Role of Political Parties
The Bregret phenomenon has not gone unnoticed by Britain’s political parties – both Labour and the Conservatives pledged during the 2017 election to “deliver Brexit.”
Subsequent divisions within the Conservative party over Europe and the subsequent rejection of the Brexit deal by Parliament have further fueled the growth of Bregret.
The Impact of Brexit
Not only are Britons now feeling a sense of Bregret, but there’s also a growing sense of division and despair amongst the British public.
The culmination of two and a half years of intense wrangling over the UK’s future relationship with the EU has led to unprecedented levels of political division and uncertainty.
Families, communities, and political parties have become increasingly more divided in their views over Europe and the UK’s future relationship with the EU. Social media has become a key platform for debating the issue – but, unfortunately, is often a source of aggression and hostility rather than open-minded discussion.
Brexit has also had consequences for the business community. Companies are relocating to the EU, cutting jobs in the UK, and the Pound has weakened against the Euro.
Further Concerns
As Brexit leaves the UK in something of a state of flux, there is further cause for worry.
The UK has now missed two self-imposed deadlines for exiting the European Union and the turmoil over the future of Britain’s relationship with the EU is likely to remain.
Now that the true cost of leaving the EU has become increasingly clear, images of Project Fear have resurfaced in the minds of Leave voters who now think that staying would have been the better option.
How Can Britons Move Forward?
As the Brexit process continues, it is important that Britons remain open minded and reflect on both the promises of the Remainers and the Leavers.
In order to rise above Bregret, it is important to understand the complexities of the Brexit process, its implications, and how leaving the European Union might affect different sectors.
In the end, only a solution based on unity and compromise will benefit the UK and allow the country to move on from the Brexit debate.
Despite the depth of feeling and the level of frustration, it is important to remember that Britain is a country of great strength, resilience and opportunity.
While the debate over Brexit has often been intense and confusing, it is also a testament to the UK’s commitment to democracy and people’s right to express their views.
Although Bregret is a real phenomenon, with many Brits beginning to regret their decision to Leave the EU, it is important to remain respectful of different opinions and focus on what unites people, rather than what divides them. Ultimately, this attitude is the best way to move forward in the Brexit process.
