The British don't seem to have gotten out of the Brexit debate yet. This is demonstrated by the numerous discussions, studies and statements that take place every day in the UK. The most recent resounding statement to date is that of London Mayor Sadiq Khan. The latter on Thursday called on the United Kingdom to strengthen its ties with the European Union and accused Brexit of costing the British economy tens of billions of pounds.
In a press release, the Labor councilor claims a new deal would “boost” the economy and help “raise the living standards of Britons”. According to a study commissioned by London City Hall, Brexit has already cost the British economy 140 billion pounds (162 billion euros), including 30 billion pounds (35 billion euros) for the capital.
Cambridge Econmetrics also estimates that Brexit has led to a loss of two million jobs in the country, including 300,000 in the capital. And the future doesn't look very encouraging for the economy across the Channel: according to the same data, if nothing is done, economic losses for the UK will be £300 billion (€350 billion) by 2035, including £60 billion for London.
Opinions always differ
“We have to be honest, Brexit is not a side issue that we can leave in the past. This is a key factor in the cost of living crisis caused by inflation, stresses Sadiq Khan, a candidate for a third term in local elections in May.
A position that contrasts with the reluctance of the main political parties, including his own, to discuss the impact of the 2016 referendum, just months before the general election in which Labor is largely in the lead. According to a survey conducted in December by the Opinium Institute for the Sunday Observer newspaper, only 22% of Brits believe that Brexit has had a positive impact on the country in general, while this proportion drops to 12% when it comes to the economy in particular.
However, a spokesman for Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak responded to the London mayor by saying that British economic activity had experienced “faster growth” than that of Italy and Germany since 2016. For its shares, the government boasts of the opportunities that leaving the European Union offers, celebrating the free trade agreements signed with countries such as Australia or membership of the Trans-Pacific Trade Partnership.