The Conservative Party’s handling of Brexit has been marked by a litany of falsehoods, missteps, and betrayals. Promises made to the public during the referendum campaign and subsequent years have unravelled, exposing a failure of vision, honesty, and planning. Under the leadership of Theresa May and Boris Johnson, the Tories’ approach to Brexit has been a textbook example of political opportunism over responsible governance. This article will explore the key failures, focusing on Brexit’s origins, its botched execution, and the consequences of the lies told to the British people.
The Referendum: A Gamble Without a Plan
David Cameron’s decision to hold the 2016 referendum was itself a gamble to appease Conservative Party eurosceptics and stem the rise of UKIP. It was not born of a genuine conviction that the UK would benefit from leaving the European Union but was instead a political ploy. Cameron’s government failed to prepare for the possibility of a Leave vote, as admitted by Kemi Badenoch in a recent speech:
“We announced that we would leave the European Union before we had a plan for growth outside the EU.”
This admission underscores the recklessness at the heart of the referendum. The Leave campaign, spearheaded by figures such as Boris Johnson and Michael Gove, made grandiose promises of economic prosperity, sovereignty, and control. The infamous claim that Brexit would free up £350 million per week for the NHS was emblematic of the deception. This figure was widely debunked, yet it played a pivotal role in persuading voters.
Theresa May, who inherited the chaos after Cameron’s resignation, began her tenure with the mantra “Brexit means Brexit.” Her government’s negotiation strategy, however, revealed a lack of clarity about what Brexit should achieve. The triggering of Article 50 in 2017, without a clear plan for the future relationship with the EU, put the UK on the back foot in negotiations. Her subsequent failure to secure parliamentary approval for her withdrawal agreement highlighted the deep divisions within her party and the country.
Theresa May’s Government: A Leadership in Turmoil
May’s tenure was defined by a series of miscalculations and broken promises. Despite insisting that “no deal is better than a bad deal,” her government pursued a deal that alienated both Brexiteers and Remainers. The Irish backstop, designed to prevent a hard border in Ireland, became a lightning rod for criticism, particularly from the European Research Group (ERG) within her party.
One of May’s key failures was her inability to reconcile her rhetoric with reality. The promise of frictionless trade outside the single market and customs union was exposed as a fantasy. Businesses warned repeatedly of the economic damage Brexit would cause, yet these concerns were dismissed as “Project Fear.”
May’s inability to deliver Brexit ultimately led to her resignation in 2019. Her government’s failure to provide a coherent strategy laid the groundwork for Boris Johnson’s ascension, a leader whose approach to Brexit would be even more divisive.
Boris Johnson’s Government: Lies and Populism
Boris Johnson came to power on the back of a simple promise: “Get Brexit Done.” His deal, which he claimed was “oven-ready,” was anything but. The agreement secured in October 2019 effectively created a customs border in the Irish Sea, despite Johnson’s repeated assurances to the contrary. Northern Ireland’s unique status under the deal has caused ongoing political and economic friction, destabilising relations within the United Kingdom.
Johnson’s government continued the trend of making promises it could not keep. The claim that Brexit would allow the UK to “take back control” of its borders was undermined by the continued rise in immigration. Kemi Badenoch’s admission acknowledges this failure:
“We announced that we would lower immigration, but immigration kept going up.”
The economic fallout from Brexit has been stark. Trade with the EU has become more bureaucratic and costly, hitting small and medium-sized businesses the hardest. The promised benefits of free trade agreements with non-EU countries have yet to materialise, with many deals replicating terms the UK already enjoyed as an EU member.
The Johnson government also misled the public about the supposed regulatory freedoms Brexit would bring. While the UK has diverged from EU rules in some areas, these changes have often created more complexity for businesses rather than less. The promise of a “global Britain” has rung hollow as the country grapples with sluggish economic growth and diminished international influence.
Net Zero and Broken Promises
Another example of Tory duplicity lies in their handling of environmental policy. The Conservative Party committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, a goal that Kemi Badenoch has criticised as being announced without proper planning.
“We made it the law that we would deliver net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. And only then did we start thinking about how we would do that.”
This approach typifies the government’s habit of making grand statements without considering their feasibility. The lack of a clear strategy for achieving net zero has led to policy reversals and delays, undermining the UK’s credibility on the global stage.
The Consequences of Tory Lies
The Conservatives’ mishandling of Brexit and their broader governance failures have had profound consequences for the UK. Trust in politicians has eroded as voters see promises broken time and again. Businesses, particularly in manufacturing and agriculture, have struggled with the increased costs and complexities of trading outside the EU.
Brexit has also deepened divisions within the UK. Scotland and Northern Ireland, which voted to remain in the EU, have seen renewed calls for independence and reunification, respectively. The economic disparities between regions have been exacerbated, contradicting the government’s “levelling up” agenda.
Kemi Badenoch’s Admission: A Turning Point?
Kemi Badenoch’s recent admission of Conservative failures is noteworthy for its candour:
“These mistakes were made because we told people what they wanted to hear first and then tried to work it out later. That is going to stop under my leadership.”
While Badenoch’s acknowledgement is a step towards honesty, it also raises questions about the sincerity of the Conservative Party’s commitment to change. Similar promises of reform have been made before, only to be abandoned when politically inconvenient.
Masterclass in Incompetence and Delusion
The Conservative Party’s handling of Brexit has been a masterclass in political dishonesty and incompetence. From the referendum campaign’s false promises to the chaotic governance of Theresa May and Boris Johnson, the Tories have repeatedly put party politics above the national interest.
Brexit was sold as a path to prosperity and sovereignty, but it has instead brought economic hardship and political instability. Kemi Badenoch’s admission of past mistakes is welcome, but actions must follow words. The British public deserves leadership that prioritises truth and accountability over short-term political gain. Until the Conservatives reckon fully with their record, the scars of Brexit will continue to define the UK’s political and economic landscape.
A Quick Reminder:
