Introduction
Since the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union in the 2016 referendum, the debate over whether Brexit was a success has dominated British political discourse. While critics cite economic disruption and political division, supporters argue that Brexit has allowed the UK to regain control of its laws, borders, and international trade. Measuring the success of Brexit depends on how one defines “success”—sovereignty, economic performance, or global influence.
This essay explores the case for Brexit as a success. It highlights the key achievements made since the UK left the EU, particularly in terms of restoring democratic control, reclaiming legal autonomy, forging new trade relationships, reforming immigration policy, and responding flexibly to global challenges. Though challenges remain, Brexit has laid the foundation for a more globally focused, agile, and self-determined Britain.
1. Reclaiming Sovereignty and Legal Autonomy
One of the core promises of the Leave campaign was the restoration of British sovereignty. For decades, many UK citizens and politicians believed that EU membership diluted Britain’s ability to govern itself. EU law took precedence over UK law in many areas, and policies could be dictated by unelected officials in Brussels.
Brexit delivered a fundamental constitutional change: Parliament is once again the supreme legislative body. The UK is no longer subject to the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice (except in Northern Ireland for now), and it can now create, amend, or repeal laws without seeking approval from the EU.
This newfound autonomy allows the UK to tailor laws to its specific needs. For instance:
- It can reform financial regulations to foster innovation in fintech and banking.
- It can diverge from the EU’s agricultural policies to better support British farmers.
- It has greater freedom to regulate product standards, environmental protections, and labour laws according to domestic priorities.
In short, the UK has reasserted control over the most basic element of statehood: self-governance.
2. A New Global Trade Policy
Another key promise of Brexit was the ability to negotiate independent trade agreements, unconstrained by the EU’s common commercial policy. Since leaving the EU, the UK has:
- Signed over 70 trade agreements, including continuity agreements replicating EU terms and new deals with Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.
- Joined the CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) in 2023, giving the UK access to fast-growing economies across the Asia-Pacific region, representing 15% of global GDP.
- Initiated talks with India, the US, and Gulf nations, seeking to secure more tailored and mutually beneficial trade arrangements.
Though these deals vary in scale and scope, they collectively represent the UK’s shift towards becoming a “Global Britain”—a trading nation not bound by regional constraints but engaging flexibly with diverse markets.
Moreover, the UK’s ability to respond quickly to emerging trade challenges or opportunities—such as tariffs, sanctions, or regulatory changes—demonstrates the benefits of independent trade policy.
3. Immigration Reform and Border Control
The Leave campaign’s promise to “take back control of our borders” has arguably been fulfilled. Under EU rules, the UK was obligated to accept the free movement of people, which limited its ability to manage immigration based on skills, national origin, or labour market demand.
Post-Brexit, the UK implemented a points-based immigration system that applies to both EU and non-EU citizens. This system prioritizes skills, qualifications, and job offers over nationality, allowing for a more merit-based approach. Key results include:
- Higher-skilled immigration from countries such as India, Nigeria, and the Philippines, addressing shortages in health care, IT, and engineering.
- Fairer access for non-EU migrants, who were previously disadvantaged by the EU’s preferential treatment of its own citizens.
- The ability to create bespoke visa schemes, such as the Global Talent Visa or the Hong Kong BNO pathway, aligned with national interests.
Though migration levels remain high, the government now has the tools to adjust policies dynamically based on domestic needs—a clear gain in control.
4. Economic and Regulatory Flexibility
Critics often cite short-term economic disruptions such as trade frictions, currency fluctuations, and reduced business investment. However, these issues must be balanced against the long-term opportunities Brexit creates.
Freed from the EU’s bureaucracy and regulatory rigidity, the UK can now foster innovation and growth through strategic reform. For example:
- Financial services: The UK is reviewing Solvency II regulations to unlock capital from insurance firms for infrastructure investment.
- Life sciences: The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) can approve drugs faster than the EU, boosting the pharmaceutical sector.
- Technology and AI: Britain can develop a bespoke regulatory framework for AI, diverging from the EU’s more cautious, rules-heavy approach.
By tailoring regulations to its own economy, the UK can become a global leader in cutting-edge industries, attract investment, and respond quickly to technological change.
5. COVID-19 and Vaccine Rollout: A Showcase of Post-Brexit Agility
A practical example of Brexit’s benefits came during the COVID-19 pandemic. The UK’s early approval and rapid deployment of vaccines was widely seen as a success story. While EU countries faced delays due to joint procurement issues and regulatory bottlenecks, the UK:
- Approved the Pfizer vaccine on 2 December 2020, weeks before the EU.
- Rolled out vaccines swiftly, reaching high-risk groups early and saving thousands of lives.
- Secured flexible contracts with multiple manufacturers, enabling a more adaptive response.
Though the vaccine rollout was not solely due to Brexit, the UK’s regulatory independence and procurement autonomy were critical factors. This episode illustrated the practical advantages of being free from EU decision-making structures.
6. Political Renewal and Democratic Engagement
Brexit also reinvigorated public engagement in politics. For better or worse, the referendum mobilized millions of people—many voting for the first time—around a fundamental constitutional issue. It challenged the status quo and forced politicians to confront issues of identity, democracy, and fairness.
Since Brexit, there has been a shift in political alignments. Traditional party loyalties have weakened, and new political fault lines—between cosmopolitan and nationalist worldviews—have emerged. This has reshaped political discourse and encouraged more open debate on issues like sovereignty, devolution, and the role of the state.
In the long term, this democratic awakening may contribute to a more responsive and accountable political culture.
7. Counterarguments and Remaining Challenges
While the above points make a strong case for Brexit’s success, challenges remain:
- Economic cost: Some sectors, like small exporters and agriculture, have faced new trade barriers with the EU.
- Northern Ireland: The post-Brexit status of Northern Ireland remains complex, affecting trade and politics.
- Skills shortages: Some industries reliant on EU labour, like hospitality and agriculture, have struggled with staffing.
- Scotland: Brexit has reignited calls for Scottish independence, threatening the unity of the UK.
These issues underscore the fact that Brexit is not a “silver bullet” but a political transformation requiring ongoing adjustment, leadership, and strategic vision.
Conclusion: A Platform for Renewal
Was Brexit a success? In terms of delivering what was promised—restoring sovereignty, regaining control over laws, borders, and trade, and providing opportunities for reform—the answer is yes.
Brexit has allowed the UK to act more independently on the world stage, design its own laws and immigration policies, and forge new economic partnerships. It has rekindled democratic debate and empowered voters to shape the nation’s future direction.
Success does not mean perfection or absence of difficulty. Brexit is a long-term project, not a single event. But in reclaiming its autonomy and beginning to reshape its role in the world, the UK has taken a bold and unprecedented step—one that may ultimately prove to be a foundation for renewal, resilience, and reinvention.
