I’ve always considered Brexit to be a mistake, but I understand the motivations of those supporting it: national pride, a desire for independence, and faith in Britain’s ability to succeed on its own. But the world has changed. Britain no longer holds the global power it once did as a colonial empire, and we can’t pretend otherwise. That past structure of influence is gone, and with it, much of the leverage we once relied on. Additionally, much of the rhetoric advocating Brexit was false or misleading, and often xenophobic in tone.

Despite this, we left the EU under the illusion we could thrive independently, yet instead of strengthening the country, Brexit has weakened it. It’s also taken away the freedoms and opportunities we once enjoyed within the European continent.

Brexit promised control and prosperity but has delivered economic strain and fewer opportunities. We’re all feeling it, higher food prices, soaring energy bills, struggling small businesses. UK-EU trade is down 15%, and the economy is set to be 4% smaller long-term; a £100 billion annual hit, or £1,000 per household. Inflation has jumped more than 20% since 2021, while wages have barely moved. Investment has fallen, bureaucracy has grown, and growth has slowed.

Far from taking back control, we gave it away, walking out of the world’s largest trading bloc and isolating ourselves from partnerships that helped us compete globally. The idea of ‘Global Britain’ was never a realistic replacement for EU membership. The US won’t bail us out, and Commonwealth countries are turning to the EU for trade. National pride doesn’t pay the bills, and nostalgia doesn’t drive prosperity.

This isn’t about disloyalty. It’s about honesty. Brexit has failed to deliver on its promises, and continuing down this path is harming the very country we’re trying to protect. The EU wasn’t perfect, but when we were inside, we had influence, access, and opportunity. Rejoining the Single Market isn’t surrender, it’s a step toward recovery. It’s how we can support businesses, lower costs, and rebuild trust.

Brexit has brought decline, division, and disappointment. The empire is gone. We can’t stand alone anymore. It’s time to stop the self-inflicted damage. Let’s rejoin the Single Market. Let’s return to the EU, not because we’re weak, but because we’re strong enough to admit when we were wrong.