Has the UK benefited from leaving the EU?
The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020 and now trades with it under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, outside the single market and customs union. A 2025 study by economists including a Bank of England researcher estimated Brexit cut GDP per head by 6-8%, against the OBR's 4% estimate. Supporters point to regulatory independence, the ability to strike its own trade deals and control over its borders. The UK and EU are currently negotiating food standards, carbon market and youth scheme deals, aimed at a summit on 20 November 2026.
6 Opinions
It's not as simple as yes or no. The question is whether it has been allowed to. I voted to leave. I would again. I would vote to join a common market. As it once was, before the federalists got power mad. Our politicians stifled & sabotaged it. The majority at the time were pro Europe. They never expected leave to win. It was always going to take time, but even longer all the while a significant number of our politicians were aligned to Europe, not the UK.
Obviously, the main benefit is our government is responsible for country. Not some people on continent, nobody here voted. Were opportunities used? Very little. Post Brexit governments decided not to use most of them, and show us the peasants our place. Shame, but most of these opportunities still wide open to use.
I meant to vote yes, tried to change but the system wouldn’t let me. There are clearly benefits, such as regaining sovereignty over so many areas. Whether these outweigh the dis-benefits is a different question. Edited
Even the most deluded of brexit fanatics know it’s been an absolute disaster, even if they can’t bring themselves to say it.