World

Beyond Brexit: How the UK’s Focus on EU Relations Has Faded Despite Unresolved Challenges

Brexit fades in UK: Public weary, economy stagnates, key figures sidelined.

September 30, 2025, 7:46 AM

Union Jack and EU flag flying with Parliament building in background

The Union Jack and the European Union flag fly together in front of the Houses of Parliament, symbolizing the Brexit referendum. By MDL.

Executive Summary

Britain has largely sidelined the issue of its relationship with the European Union, despite its former political dominance and significance for key political figures.

Public fatigue with the “European question” is a significant factor in the issue’s diminished political prominence, as evidenced by slogans like “get Brexit done.”

Even those intended to benefit from Brexit have faced drawbacks, with the British economy stagnating and the state struggling to control immigration effectively.

The Story So Far

Brexit, which once consumed British political discourse and was central to the careers of prominent figures like Keir Starmer and Boris Johnson, and which the Conservative Party had hoped would secure its long-term political dominance, is now largely sidelined. This shift is primarily due to widespread public fatigue with the “European question” following the “get Brexit done” campaign, coupled with the UK’s ongoing economic stagnation and perceived failures to effectively control immigration, which have undermined many of the initial promises and anticipated benefits of leaving the European Union.

Why This Matters

The effective sidelining of Brexit from Britain’s political discourse, driven by public fatigue, signifies a notable shift from its former dominance, yet leaves the nation grappling with unresolved economic stagnation and unfulfilled promises regarding immigration control without active political engagement on these foundational issues.

Who Thinks What?

Adrian Wooldridge observes that Britain has largely sidelined the issue of its relationship with the European Union, a shift attributed to public fatigue and unresolved economic and societal challenges.

The public, as referenced by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s 2019 slogan “get Brexit done,” reportedly shows weariness with the “European question,” contributing to its diminished political prominence.

Adrian Wooldridge, a global business columnist for Bloomberg Opinion, observes that Britain has largely sidelined the issue of its relationship with the European Union, an issue that previously consumed the nation’s political discourse. This shift comes despite key political figures having built careers around Brexit, and the Conservative Party’s initial hopes for long-term political dominance following the referendum.

Shifting Political Focus

Wooldridge notes the apparent public fatigue with the “European question,” referencing former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s 2019 election slogan, “get Brexit done.” This public weariness is cited as a significant factor in the issue’s diminished political prominence.

He points out the irony of this political amnesia, considering figures like Keir Starmer, who made his political career leading the campaign against Brexit. Similarly, the Conservative Party had anticipated that its referendum triumph would establish a prolonged period of political hegemony.

Economic and Social Implications

According to Wooldridge, even those who were intended to benefit from the UK’s departure from the EU have reportedly faced drawbacks. He highlights the British economy’s continued stagnation and the state’s perceived inability to control immigration more effectively than it did in 2015.

Key Takeaways

The analysis suggests that while Brexit once dominated British politics, its current sidelining reflects a combination of public weariness and unresolved economic and societal challenges, moving the issue from the forefront of national conversation.