"Brexit was supposed to take back control and sort out the immigration crisis. In both respects, it failed. Polish plumbers have been replaced by Afghans in asylum hotels, and the UK has forfeited the mechanism to return them to the EU. Meanwhile, with trade, investment and labour choked off, the economy grinds along at the bottom."
"Through its 2024 pact on migration and asylum, the EU has a robust, collective way of dealing with migration; on our own, we are as likely to stop the boats as Canute was to turn back the waves. A recent poll showed that 57% of voters would return to the EU. A public inquiry on the management of Brexit would set the record straight, and maybe the BBC could run an impartial series for the 10th anniversary of the vote, making it easier for the government to show the courage and leadership to take us back into the EU."
"However, I disagree with his assertion that we don't have the money to fund our ailing public services. As the sixth-richest country in the world we absolutely do have the money. But it is in the hands of a very few powerful people and corporations, many of whom pay very little tax. It's surely time we taxed them more fairly."
Brexit promised regained control and immigration solutions but failed, replacing EU migrant labour with asylum seekers and removing return mechanisms to the EU. Trade, investment and labour have been constrained, producing weak economic performance. Political caution prevents reopening the EU membership debate due to electoral fears, even though a majority of voters may favour returning. The EU's 2024 migration pact provides collective mechanisms the UK now lacks alone. The UK has sufficient national wealth to fund public services, but wealth concentration and low taxation of powerful individuals and corporations limit available public funds, suggesting fairer taxation as a remedy.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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