So far, the election campaign has given every impression that Labour mainly wants to avoid making any firm statements, while a majority of British voters now regret the Brexit referendum. Both the Conservatives and Labour seem to avoid the topic, although Brexit has had significant consequences for the British economy and society.
Instead, both parties focus on domestic issues such as the cost of living, healthcare, and immigration. The absence of Brexit in the debates has led to accusations of a "conspiracy of silence" around one of the most profound political changes in recent British history.
Recent polls show that a majority of British voters now regret the 2016 Brexit referendum, in which a small majority voted to leave the EU. Many voters feel misled by the promises made at the time and regret the economic and social consequences of Brexit.
This sentiment is reinforced by the fact that Great Britain has faced significant trade barriers and a decline in economic growth since leaving the EU. However, the ongoing consequences of Brexit remain a complex and largely unspoken issue, even as the country is about to embark on a new political direction.
Keir Starmer and his Labour party have indicated they will not push for renegotiations with Brussels to rejoin the EU. Instead, Labour wants to improve ties with the EU and aims for closer economic and diplomatic cooperation.
This pragmatic stance seems aimed at avoiding further division and an attempt to "have the cake and eat it too." In that sense, Starmer inherits the legacy of his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn, who also kept Labour on a hesitant and faltering Europe course for many years.
The Institute for Government emphasizes that Brexit still has a huge impact on daily life in Great Britain. From trade barriers to staffing issues in various sectors, the consequences of Brexit continue to manifest.
Goods transportation for import and export is still a mess, and many industries such as agriculture suffer from major labor shortages because cheap 'foreign' workers from East European EU countries are no longer allowed into the country.
The upcoming election is likely to bring a significant political shift in Great Britain, with Labour taking power from the Conservatives. The main question will be whether the Conservative Tories, after years of political indecision (four prime ministers in five years), will be almost entirely wiped out. Small, outspoken pro-EU parties (LibDems, Greens, Rejoin) could also gain considerable support.