A lot of people voted for it as a point of 'control'. The UK might be in a pretty messed up place politically right now, but it does have full control over its laws. The buck stops with someone you can reasonably drive to and shout at. The EU was a slow and constant move into more and more centralised control in Europe.
Some of these people think this means they can influence the country more for their own gain; some think it protects them from people influencing the country unduly.
Either way, its hard to argue against brexit having given the UK has more on paper long term control, and its hard to argue against brexit being costly both theoretically and in practice, and its hard to argue that the UK wouldn't currently be better off in the EU. Its hard, but people are doing it.
Its mostly a matter of identity. Do you feel European or British? Its much like any secessionist movement. This partly explains the high ethnic minority vote for Brexit, because its hard to feel European if you are not of European origin.
It is also a matter of class identity. Being a remainer is a lot posher than being a leaver.
English first, European second. Indeed, the people of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland likely feel the same, and it’s unclear why that union should be considered worthwhile when a larger one is not.
> its hard to feel European if you are not of European origin.
All British-born people are of European origin. That is a simple geographic fact.
Normal_gaussian|3 months ago
Some of these people think this means they can influence the country more for their own gain; some think it protects them from people influencing the country unduly.
Either way, its hard to argue against brexit having given the UK has more on paper long term control, and its hard to argue against brexit being costly both theoretically and in practice, and its hard to argue that the UK wouldn't currently be better off in the EU. Its hard, but people are doing it.
graemep|3 months ago
It is also a matter of class identity. Being a remainer is a lot posher than being a leaver.
surgical_fire|3 months ago
I live in EU, but I am not originally from Europe. I have a EU citizenship at this point though.
That said, I am staunchly pro EU, and would always vote for further integration. In truth, I even think that EU federalization would be a good idea.
I have no idea why immigrants of all people would have a nationalistic stance on this.
jen20|3 months ago
English first, European second. Indeed, the people of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland likely feel the same, and it’s unclear why that union should be considered worthwhile when a larger one is not.
> its hard to feel European if you are not of European origin.
All British-born people are of European origin. That is a simple geographic fact.
nprateem|3 months ago
tonyedgecombe|3 months ago