The United Kingdom has long been a nation that prefers evolution over revolution. Even the seismic decision to leave the European Union-better known as Brexit-unfolded as a slow-burning crisis. Yet, despite the passage of five years since the official departure on January 31, 2020, the consequences of Brexit remain stark, particularly in economic and diplomatic terms.

Public sentiment in the UK is shifting. Increasing numbers of Britons regret Brexit, recognizing it as an act of political, economic, and social self-harm. However, there remains little political will to undo the damage, let alone to begin the conversation about potential reintegration into the EU. Labour leader and current Prime Minister Keir Starmer, once an outspoken advocate for mitigating Brexit’s impact, has since adopted a more cautious stance. This hesitancy, while politically expedient, leaves the UK adrift, unable to fully capitalize on opportunities for closer collaboration with Europe.

The economic costs of Brexit have been immense. A study by Aston University Business School found that between 2021 and 2023, UK goods exports to the EU were down by 27 percent, while imports had fallen by 32 percent compared to what they would have been had Brexit not occurred. Meanwhile, estimates suggest that Brexit has cost the UK economy roughly £140 billion ($172 billion) so far.

For an economy already burdened by slow growth and inflationary pressures, these numbers are catastrophic. The sectors that have suffered the most include manufacturing, agriculture, and finance-industries that once relied on seamless access to the EU’s single........

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