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Opponents of Brexit after Great Britain leaves the EU: "Part of me is relieved"

2021-01-18T11:26:24.746Z


For years they fought against Britain's exit from the EU - in parliament, at their desks, on the street. In vain. And now? Three Brexit opponents report.


Read the video transcript here arrow up arrow down

A member of parliament protests in 

front of

 parliament, a Europe fan writes against the government, an academic takes to the streets.

Since the referendum in 2016, many people in Great Britain have fought against Brexit in different ways.

Without success.

How are you today?

March 2019, Wera Hobhouse in front of the British House of Commons: The Brexit opponent and native German was elected to Parliament in 2017.

Britain's exit from the EU is her greatest political defeat.  

Wera Hobhouse, Member of the House of Commons, Liberal Democrats 

»I've been used to political reality for a year, and so are many who have fought with me.

We are beaten, we feel depressed.

But of course we look political reality in the eye. "


Political reality is meanwhile also a clear parliamentary majority of the conservative Tories of Boris Johnson - and a different climate in the corridors of the House of Commons.  

Wera Hobhouse, Member of the House of Commons, Liberal Democrats


»The Conservative Party has been properly eliminated by the moderate Conservatives - and a much more extreme party is now in power.

A lot of new parliamentarians are sitting in parliament, the whole mood is dimmed by the opposition and a very masculine, triumphant mood within the conservative party. "

In 2019, however, the parliament was deeply divided into Brexit opponents and Brexit supporters.

House Speaker John Bercow often had to maintain order.

Prime Minister Theresa May fought for a parliamentary majority and for a withdrawal agreement between Great Britain and the EU.

Martin Cobb became a prolific writer back then.

For months in 2018 and 2019, he sent a postcard with a self-made stamp to his MPs every day.

His goal: a second referendum on Brexit.

But it did not get to that.  

Martin Cobb, Sales Manager

»I am completely exhausted from Brexit.

I'm not saying it's a relief, it's not really a relief.

But part of me is relieved that things are changing.

Because it's been a long time.

Now that we have actually completely and completely left the EU, it feels very strange and like a lonely place, to be honest. "


Bettina Friedrich also has to rearrange herself.

The German researcher works at University College London, which has so far also lived from its close contacts to the continent and not least from European research funds.

In order not to lose this, Friedrich demonstrated against Brexit for a long time.  

Bettina Friedrich, University College London

»There were huge protests, especially here in London, where an incredible number of people from all over the country came to demonstrate against Brexit.

And we felt we were very close to getting a second referendum. "


Brexit opponents had teamed up in many cities, including Martin Cobb's hometown of Devizes.  

Martin Cobb, Sales Manager

»Brexit was present in people's minds.

He was in people's living rooms, in the pubs.

It was a feverish time.

A country that was literally divided into two. "


In addition to the dominant topic, Wera Hobhouse never found enough time for other concerns of her constituents - such as city tourism in Bath or the topic of mental health.  

Wera Hobhouse, Member of the House of Commons, Liberal Democrats

»The focus on the things that are really important to many people is less sharp.

It's eerie how little is happening except Brexit, and of course that's bad. "


Those times are history.

The protests were unsuccessful in the end.

There were new elections in 2019, Boris Johnson won a huge leap, the House of Commons approved the exit agreement - Brexit came.

Martin Cobb works as a sales manager for a small company that makes high quality hi-fi cables.

He is already feeling the first effects of leaving the EU.  

Martin Cobb, Sales Manager

“It is not only much more difficult for our customers to buy from us now.

It is also more difficult for us to export to them.

Because of the paperwork we have to deal with, the bureaucracy we have to take on shipping products across the border.

Suddenly our closest neighbor is no longer our preferred market.

I think we showed some kind of arrogance.

I find that very disappointing. "


More formalities determine everyday life after Brexit for Bettina Friedrich.  

Bettina Friedrich, University College London

"I now have the so-called 

>

pre-settled status

'

, so I can officially stay in the country and continue to work and continue to pay taxes.

What will of course be a bit difficult is once you leave the country and then want to start a job here again.

You probably need a visa, as I understand it.

However, I feel a bit privileged that I work in academia.

I feel sorry for the people who work here in the restaurant business, for example.

When they leave the country, it becomes much more difficult for them to be accepted here again.

The British are already picking who they want. "


Wera Hobhouse, Member of the House of Commons, Liberal Democrats

»Many of the things that Brexit will have as a political consequence will only become apparent in the next few years.

At the moment everything is of course blurred by the Covid crisis. "


Martin Cobb, Sales Manager

»If it had been a normal year, it wouldn't have been the case at all.

Brexit would have been discussed in a much more lively and active manner and people would have dealt with it.

Now it feels like a ship that leaves port unnoticed at night. " 


Bettina Friedrich, University College London

“Many of the people I protested with say this is our next step: We now have to ensure that Great Britain rejoins the European Union.

I believe that if it ever happens again it will be quite a way.

And that will certainly not happen with the current government. "


Will Great Britain join the EU again at some point?

These retainers do not give up hope.

The way back would be long in any case - and unthinkable under the current government.

Source: spiegel

All news articles on 2021-01-18

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