Comments by "robs2020" (@sbor2020) on "“You, Nigel Farage And Richard Tice Have HURT This Country” Alex Phillips vs Femi Oluwole On Brexit" video.

  1. When did he ever pull the race card? Explain.
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  2. Femi’s focus on Brexit comes from a desire to highlight its ongoing impact and hold leaders accountable for its consequences. Accepting a democratic vote doesn’t mean ignoring the problems it creates or staying silent about broken promises
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  3. Before Brexit, the UK was part of the EU's single market, which allowed access to over 60 countries through EU-negotiated trade deals. Post-Brexit, the UK gained the freedom to negotiate its own deals, but this also meant losing automatic access to the EU market, leading to new trade barriers, customs checks, and supply chain disruptions. While some argue that being tied to the EU was limiting, the economic challenges and complications that arose post-Brexit show that these decisions have significant and often unforeseen consequences.
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  4.  @paulpearce9750  Give examples of how being out of the EU has made it easier to trade with European customers and trading partners.
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  5. What do you think should have been done differently to ensure a smoother transition and better outcomes for everyone?
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  6. While immigration is a factor in some people's frustrations, many experts point to Brexit's trade disruptions and economic consequences as significant contributors to the UK's financial struggles. Do you think the government's failure to implement Brexit as promised has compounded these issues?
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  7.  @thetruth9210  It's strange that no one was saying this before the referendum. But after 2016, Brexiteers like Jacob Rees-Mogg, acknowledged that voters didn't fully understand the potential economic consequences. Rees-Mogg himself admitted in his “Moggcast” that, unlike the 1975 referendum on the Treaty of Rome, the 2016 vote was a "jump in the dark," with many leavers unaware of what they were voting for. Before the vote, the focus was largely on regaining sovereignty, with little emphasis on the economic risks involved. Now, in hindsight, many are grappling with unforeseen challenges such as economic downturns, labour shortages, and trade disruptions. Shouldn't voters have been given a clearer understanding of the long-term consequences before making such a significant decision ?
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  8. Choosing not to engage with different perspectives doesn’t make the issues go away, it just limits understanding.
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  9. While some may still view Brexit as a success, it's important to consider whether its long-term impacts align with the promises made during the campaign. Shouldn't we hold politicians accountable for how effectively they manage the consequences of their decisions?
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  10. Highlighting real issues and asking for accountability isn’t delusional - it’s part of a healthy democracy; would ignoring these consequences really serve the country better?
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  11. Expressing differing views doesn't make someone anti-democratic – it’s part of healthy debate in a democracy. While Brexit may have provided distance, do you think the economic challenges faced by the UK could have been avoided, or is this the price of that separation?
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  12. 🤣🤣"They need us more than we need them". Do you think Poland's economy is plummeting because the UK left the EU?
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  13. Why would a man born in Darlington try to sort out an entire continent? Oh yes, cos his black!
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  14. Moving on doesn’t mean ignoring the consequences; it means holding leaders accountable and ensuring decisions actually benefit the people they were meant to help
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  15.  @Luciano123-s7r  When? Evidence?
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  16. Sounds like you're saying, "I'm thrilled my meal was burned, but let’s cook it the same way again because it's bound to taste great eventually!" 🤣🤣
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  17.  @kinggeoffrey3801  Should've, would've, could've. Isn't that the entire point? Slovakia where I lived had contingency plans for the type of Brexit, whether 'hard' or 'soft'. The UK government was winging it. Brexit was led by changers, and backed by chancers. When you set up trade barriers to you biggest trading partners it was ultimately going to crash on the rocks, even with the best preparation.
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  18.  @thetruth9210  Your comment highlights a broad view of the UK's trade relationships post-Brexit but oversimplifies several aspects. While the UK has signed numerous trade agreements, many of these are rollovers of EU agreements rather than entirely new deals, and some new agreements, like those with Australia and New Zealand, have been criticised for being more beneficial to the other parties. The comparison with the EU's trade approach also overlooks the collective leverage the EU wields when negotiating deals, as well as the complexities the UK faces in bilateral negotiations, such as the lack of a comprehensive trade deal with its largest partner, the USA. Wouldn't it be worth exploring whether the quality or strategic advantages of these trade agreements are more significant than just their quantity?
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  19. When is your research paper to be published in a peer reviewed journal?
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  20. Femi was born in the UK, so your assumption is not only incorrect but also detracts from having a meaningful discussion.
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  21.  @ritasearle7736 Brexit was a democratic choice, but democracy also means scrutinising the outcomes and holding leaders accountable for their promise. Did you really vote to make working-class people worse off? 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
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  22.  @timusher5458  There was no referendum to enter the EEC.
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  23. Your freedom can be hell to others if it leads to economic hardship, reduced international cooperation, and political isolation. While the UK may feel liberated from EU ties, this freedom can have ripple effects that negatively impact neighbouring nations and the global economy. Isolationism, in this sense, is a two-way street where the consequences extend beyond national borders.
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  24.  @gherkamum  You still believe the misleading message on the side of the bus!
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  25. Usually one backs this up with an explanation. What did he say that was BS?
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  26.  @andrewganner6581  North Korea on Thames.
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  27.  @thetruth9210  While it's true that some predictions didn't unfold exactly as expected, it’s important to remember that the promises made during the Brexit campaign were very different from the actual outcomes. Key promises included taking back control over laws and borders, reducing immigration, investing £350 million a week in the NHS, securing better global trade deals, and freeing the UK from EU regulations. However, since Brexit, we've seen issues such as trade disruptions, labour shortages, rising costs, and challenges to public services like the NHS – problems that may not have been immediately visible but are still affecting everyday life. So, while some immediate impacts didn’t materialize as predicted, many of the deeper, long-term consequences of Brexit are still being felt, particularly by working-class people and industries reliant on EU trade and labour. Shouldn’t these ongoing issues be considered when evaluating Brexit's success?
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  28.  @thetruth9210  I suppose the "invisible problems" you refer to are things like trade disruptions, labour shortages, and rising costs that aren't always immediately obvious but have long-term effects on the economy and working-class people. Do you think Brexit has really helped the working class, or has it served the interests of the wealthy elite while leaving many people worse off?
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  29.  @thetruth9210  Germany’s economy has faced challenges, such as slowing exports and the energy crisis, but it remains Europe’s largest economy and a global export powerhouse. France’s economy has shown resilience, with moderate growth and lower inflation compared to Germany, though it faces structural challenges. Poland has seen strong growth, but this is partly due to EU membership, including substantial EU funding, which contributes significantly to its infrastructure and development. Poland has not adopted the euro, giving it monetary policy flexibility, but this does not mean it is planning to leave the EU. The EU provides Poland with numerous advantages, including a large export market. Speculation about the "collapse" of the eurozone or EU lacks evidence, as the union has weathered previous crises and remains integral to the economies of its members.
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  30. It seems like there’s a misunderstanding about what "sovereignty" really means in the context of Brexit. While the UK regained its legal sovereignty from the EU, being a "third country" outside the EU has made the UK more reliant on external trade agreements and has created trade barriers, limiting some of that sovereignty in practical terms. Despite regaining control over immigration, labour shortages have increased, and the UK now faces challenges in trade that didn’t exist while part of the EU single market. So, while we might technically have "sovereignty" in terms of lawmaking, the consequences on trade and the economy suggest we’ve traded one form of sovereignty for another, and it's not the simple victory it might seem.
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  31. You want simple solutions for simple people!
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  32. The "no sandwiches" claim about Brexit was likely a tabloid joke from The Sun or Daily Mail mocking serious concerns raised by Remain campaigners about potential food shortages and supply chain disruptions. While not an actual prediction from Remainers, the joke highlights the media's role in trivialising legitimate debates about Brexit's economic impacts. Has Brexit resulted in notable economic impacts, such as changes to trade, investment, labour markets, and overall growth in the UK?
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  33. ​ @vincentl.9469  We have a trade deal, there is no free movement. What are you referring to? The claim the EU requires free movement for trade deals is misleading. The EU's trade agreements with countries like Canada and Japan do not include requirements for free movement of people. While mobility arrangements, such as short-term business travel or specific service provisions, are often negotiated, free movement is not imposed under these agreements​. Regarding the UK, the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) signed post-Brexit ended free movement between the EU and the UK, aligning mobility provisions with other non-EU trade deals and reflecting mutual terms​.
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  34.  @vincentl.9469  Having a different arrangement for students necessarily require free movement of people overlooks the nuance of such agreements. For example, participation in student exchange programmes, like Erasmus, or facilitating study visas does not equate to free movement. Free movement involves unrestricted rights for EU citizens to live and work in any member state, while educational and cultural exchanges are targeted agreements with specific goals that do not undermine immigration controls. Would the UK benefit from fostering closer educational and research ties without committing to full free movement?
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  35.  @juliemaddern  Is that doing your own research has come to? Is this the findings of your hard-right research group!? Insults, anecdotes, and avoiding any research! Reform UK don't attract "the brightest and the best", do they? 🤣🤣🤣
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  36. Femi talks about Brexit because he cares about its impact on the UK, not just his own choices. How do you think staying in the UK and pushing for change could help those affected by Brexit?
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  37.  @gherkamum  We? Are you speaking for the UK as a whole?
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  38.  @stevebird7265  In other words, you've got nothing. Thank you!
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  39. You're right that many countries in Europe are facing similar challenges, but Brexit has unique economic and trade consequences for the UK that aren't affecting the rest of Europe in the same way. Studies, such as those by the UK Government’s own Office for Budget Responsibility and independent think tanks, have shown that Brexit has contributed to trade disruptions, labour shortages, and higher costs, which have disproportionately affected the UK compared to EU countries. Do you think the specific impact of Brexit on the UK could be part of the broader cost-of-living crisis, or is it unrelated?
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  40.  @kinggeoffrey3801  No Brexiteer had a plan to exit the EU in 2016. Fact.
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  41.  @Shroomboy81  While the Conservatives faced criticism for aspects of Brexit implementation, claims that "doom forecasts" were entirely false are misleading; many predictions about economic challenges and staffing issues, particularly in the NHS, have materialised . Brexit reduced the flow of EU healthcare workers and hindered NHS staffing, which, combined with broader financial impacts, has strained the system, though underfunding predates Brexit​. As for the ECHR, it does not prevent the UK from controlling its borders but ensures adherence to human rights obligations . The UK's continued commitment to the ECHR post-Brexit reflects broader international legal principles rather than an incomplete Brexit​.
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  42. What did you say in 2016? Brexit was the answer! What did you say in 2019? In 2024?
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  43.  @thetruth9210  Regarding the trade deals, while many are based on “copy and paste” agreements with the EU, those deals with countries like Australia, New Zealand, and Japan were negotiated post-Brexit and have received criticism for not securing the best terms for the UK. The prediction of 1 million job losses post-Brexit did not materialise, but the UK has experienced job creation alongside significant labour shortages in certain sectors, particularly agriculture, hospitality, and healthcare, partly due to reduced immigration from the EU. However, Brexit-related disruptions, such as new trade barriers, customs checks, and supply chain issues, have caused ongoing economic challenges. While the immediate economic crisis predicted after Brexit, like an emergency budget or a severe recession, did not materialise, the UK has still faced slower economic growth, trade difficulties, and uncertainty in investment, particularly in sectors dependent on EU trade. There was no housing crash, but house prices have fluctuated, and some car manufacturers, like Nissan and Honda, have reduced production or delayed investments due to the new trade barriers, while others have shifted production to mainland Europe. Other major companies, including Nissan and Honda, have continued operations, but the UK has seen increased uncertainty, especially in industries that were previously integrated within EU supply chains. Over time, issues like supply chain disruptions, labour shortages, and increased costs have become more apparent, particularly after the end of the transition period, revealing some of the delayed effects of Brexit. Dismissing the concept of the working class overlooks the ongoing exploitation of the labour force, where the majority of people still rely on selling their labour for wages to survive. Despite changes in society, the working class remains a critical force in capitalist economies, as they are the producers of value, yet they continue to face economic inequality, job insecurity, and alienation. Just because workers are increasingly in precarious or service sector jobs, or lack strong union representation, doesn’t mean their issues should be ignored or disregarded.
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  44.  @allangoodwin2342  It's good to see you've revealed the real you – anti-working class, showing disdain for those in need, and ready to disparage people without a shred of evidence. Rather than address the realities of Brexit's impact, you'd rather blame struggling individuals for systemic issues. Well done, you've certainly highlighted where your priorities lie!
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  45.  @allangoodwin2342  Don't you mean blubbering? Sort out your English; it's not very patriotic!
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  46.  @monkeymagic00001  The Tories controlled Brexit’s implementation, so what trade-offs made leaving the EU so challenging?
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  47. The claim that no trade-offs were necessary in Brexit oversimplifies the issue. The "Brexit trilemma" highlights why trade-offs were unavoidable: the UK faced the challenge of balancing three key objectives – the promises made by Brexit leaders – maintaining frictionless trade with the EU, reclaiming sovereignty (including control over laws, borders, and trade), and avoiding a hard border in Ireland to uphold the Good Friday Agreement. It was impossible to achieve all three simultaneously, as the EU’s single market and customs union rules required regulatory alignment and border checks for non-members. For example, leaving the single market meant losing frictionless trade, while diverging from EU rules risked creating a hard border in Ireland, which would be in breach of international agreements. This structural dilemma shaped Brexit’s realities, making compromise inevitable and undermining the idea that difficulties stemmed solely from a lack of political will. Do you think an alternative approach could have resolved this trilemma without significant trade-offs?
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  48.  @bobmaxwell9572  What evidence supports the view that immigration is the root cause of the UK’s problems, and how does it compare to other potential factors such as declining productivity, austerity-driven underinvestment, or Brexit’s economic impact?
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  49.  @bobmaxwell9572  Your seem to conflate population growth with economic output, but GDP per capita and productivity are influenced by numerous factors beyond immigration, such as investment levels, government policy, and global economic trends. Immigration often boosts economic growth by filling labour shortages, contributing taxes, and supporting essential industries; blaming it without analysing broader economic policy misses the bigger picture. How do you think factors like austerity, trade barriers from Brexit, or declining investment compare in their impact on per capita output versus immigration?
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  50. What numptuosity!
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  51. Numptituity? Numptosity? Numpticity!
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  52.  @thetruth9210  The German economy experienced significant challenges and setbacks following the reunification of East and West Germany in 1990. The integration of the two regions required substantial investment, infrastructure development, and economic restructuring. Similarly, the United Kingdom faces a pressing need for similar levels of investment and economic overhaul to address regional inequalities and "level up" the economy. In order to achieve balanced growth and reduce disparities between regions, the UK must invest in infrastructure, education, innovation, and job creation, much like the efforts seen in Germany post-unification. Such an investment would be essential for driving long-term economic stability and growth across the nation.
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  53.  @irtehpwn09  It's important to clarify that the ECHR is separate from the EU, and its rulings don't override UK laws unless they conflict with human rights standards the UK has agreed to uphold. The UK still retains full control over its borders and laws, but it has chosen to remain a signatory to the ECHR, which is a commitment to human rights rather than EU legal supremacy.
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  54.  @irtehpwn09  Are you saying that the EU makes the UK's immigration laws?
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  55.  @irtehpwn09  You seem to be oversimplifying how the ECHR operates in asylum cases. The ECHR prohibits deportation only when there is evidence that returning an individual would expose them to torture, inhuman treatment, or a real risk to their life. Claims of persecution for being gay, Christian, or other reasons must be substantiated with credible evidence; otherwise, they are rejected under the UK asylum process. The UK retains the ability to deport individuals whose claims are deemed unfounded while adhering to international human rights standards. Can you refer to specific cases?
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  56. God? 🤣 Not David Davis? Or Lord Frost? 🤣🤣
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  57. The claim that Britain's struggles are primarily due to migration, rather than Brexit or government policy, oversimplifies the issue. While it’s true that migration puts pressure on public services, it's essential to consider the broader context of austerity policies, which have reduced funding for public services like healthcare, housing, and education. According to a report by the Institute for Public Policy Research, austerity measures have led to significant cuts in local government funding, exacerbating service shortages and making it harder to accommodate both migrants and the general population. Furthermore, Brexit has caused disruptions in trade, labour shortages, and rising costs, which have added to the economic strain. Demonising asylum seekers, who are often fleeing conflict or persecution, overlooks the responsibility of governments to manage these challenges through inclusive policies. Austerity and Brexit-related economic disruption are key factors in the current difficulties, with evidence suggesting that these long-term policies, rather than migration alone, have contributed to the nation's ongoing struggles.
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  58. Voting populist often means embracing policies that blame society’s challenges on vulnerable groups while offering oversimplified solutions. Demonising "lefty lawyers" or labelling everything as "woke" distracts from genuine issues and allows politicians to avoid accountability. After five years of populist leadership under Johnson, Truss, and Sunak, what was achieved besides political chaos, economic instability, and deteriorating public services? Instead of blaming, why not ask why these populist leaders failed to deliver meaningful improvements despite having control?
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  59. Why would a man born in Darlington try to sort out an entire continent? Oh yes, racism!
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  60. Your post contains some inaccuracies about the EEC. Firstly, you did not vote to EEC, but rather you voted in a referendum in 1975 to join the European Community. Additionally, Beethoven’s "Ode to Joy" was adopted as the EU's anthem in 1972, but the EU flag was introduced much earlier, in 1955, as a symbol of unity. Contrary to the perception of the EEC as a mere "trading bloc," the Treaty of Rome, which established the EEC in 1957, outlined broader goals of fostering political and economic integration, emphasising "ever-closer union" among member states, far beyond just trade. This laid the groundwork for what would eventually become the European Union. The myth of the EEC as solely a "trading bloc" is often propagated by groups like UKIP?Reform UK and you Brexit supporters to downplay the political and institutional aspects of the European project. How does the misconception of the EEC as merely a "trading bloc" influence public understanding of the European Union's broader political and economic goals, and what impact might this have on the debate surrounding Brexit ?
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  61. Your observation that the political implications of the EEC were not emphasised enough to the public is worth considering, but it overlooks the depth of the discussions at the time. The 1975 referendum debates between figures like Roy Jenkins and Anthony Wedgwood Benn (as he was known then) clearly addressed these political dimensions. Jenkins, supporting membership, underscored Britain's role in shaping Europe’s future and the economic advantages of collaboration. Benn, in contrast, argued passionately against the EEC, warning about threats to sovereignty, democratic accountability, and the erosion of protections for workers under what he referred to as a “siege economy”. As a nine-year-old in primary school, I even took part in a debate, advocating for the "No" side, aligning with the view that Britain as a social democracy would be better served with protections outside the EEC. This shows that the political stakes were widely understood, even if framed differently depending on one's perspective.
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  62.  @wesyoung340  "Getting over it" on doesn’t mean ignoring the consequences; it means holding leaders accountable and ensuring decisions actually benefit the people they were meant to help.
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  63. Free trade or fair trade? I suspect you have little idea of what you are talking about.
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  64.  @maggieattenborrow6725  What would he not know?
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  65.  @vincentl.9469  Well, that's for you Brexitists to worry your little heads about.
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  66. Why are you so positive about the situation in the UK?
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  67. The UK's industrial decline began post-WWII, but it accelerated significantly during the 1970s and 1980s. Manufacturing started moving abroad as globalisation took off and industries chased cheaper labour costs overseas. Under Margaret Thatcher (PM from 1979-1990), policies prioritised deregulation, privatisation, and a shift towards a service-based economy, while coal mines, steelworks, and factories faced closures. While it boosted finance and services (especially in London), it devastated traditional industrial areas like the North, Midlands, and Wales, causing unemployment, economic disparity, and lasting regional inequality.
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  68.  @juliemaddern  Who I vote for does not come into it. Let's stick to the facts. Having done your "research", explain what part of what I have written is untrue. It's what you .. ahem ... researchers do!
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  69.  @juliemaddern  No, I am not a Labour supporter, and neither did I vote for them. Who I vote for, as I said is neither here not there. You Reform voters are the Dunning–Kruger effect in action!! Only reply to explain what I said about the industrial decline of the 1970's and 80's was incorrect . Thank you.
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  70.  @juliemaddern  A little learning is a dangerous thing; drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring: there shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, and drinking largely sobers us again . Alexander Pope
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  71.  @juliemaddern  To say Blair's government accelerated industrial decline overlooks the broader context. The early 1980s saw UK manufacturing contract dramatically, with 2 million jobs lost and output dropping 15% between 1980-81. Another million jobs went a decade later. By comparison, under Labour (1997–2010), manufacturing's share of the economy fell from 18% to 10%, and industries like steel saw employment drop from 35,000 to 19,000. The decline was a continuation of long-term trends, not a sudden acceleration under Blair.
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  72.  @juliemaddern  What insults? What do you know about what I believe? Anyway, it’s not about believing experts - it’s about recognising the broader context supported by evidence . The decline in UK manufacturing started long before Blair, with dramatic contractions in the early 1980s and continued trends through the following decades. Labour’s years saw a slower decline, not an acceleration. Ignoring this historical context oversimplifies a complex issue.
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  73.  @juliemaddern  I really don't care, I have a History degree, and Masters, worked as a teacher of the subject for 5 years and work for Britain's leading arts and culture, language and ideas institution. My self-esteem doesn't depend on what a Reformist/Brexitist thinks!
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  74.  @juliemaddern  It seems like that is one of your many issues! Seek professional help.
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  75.  @juliemaddern  So explain what you mean. Examples.
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  76. It’s great that you feel confident in the choice you made to vote for Brexit, but I’d genuinely love to hear what tangible benefits you’ve experienced as a result. Brexit was sold to us with the promise of taking back control, improving the economy, and empowering communities – but has it delivered on these promises for you personally, or for the country as a whole? Consider this: the political party driving Brexit has increasingly been funded by companies and individuals who prioritise deregulation. This often means weakening protections for workers, lowering food standards, and privatising essential public services like the NHS. Meanwhile, trade deficits have grown, and many of the UK’s poorest areas – places that were promised investment and revitalisation – are worse off than before. Studies and reports consistently show that working-class people have borne the brunt of these economic challenges. So, I’d like to know – do you believe these consequences align with what you hoped for when you cast your vote? And if not, do you think there’s still time to address them? Genuine discussion is vital as we all try to make sense of the decisions that shape our lives.
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  77. The UK is the only country to have left the EU, so there are no other examples to compare Brexit with or claim it could have been "done better" by looking at other nations. That is apart from Greenland, which left the EEC in 1985 after a referendum, no other country has fully exited the EU or its predecessor institutions. However, Greenland's situation was vastly different from Brexit, as it was a territory of Denmark and not a fully independent state, and its departure did not involve complexities like trade agreements, borders, or economic integration on the same scale .
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  78. The idea that Brexit could have been fully successful overlooks several significant challenges, including the "Brexit Trilemma," which points out the difficulty of reconciling control over borders, maintaining access to the EU single market, and avoiding a hard border in Northern Ireland. The Good Friday Agreement, which ensured peace between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, further complicated Brexit, as any changes to border arrangements could jeopardise that peace. These structural and political issues, alongside economic disruptions and trade barriers, made it clear that a simple "full" Brexit could not resolve all the complex problems. Before Brexit, how did you expect the UK to resolve the challenges posed by the "Brexit Trilemma" of balancing control over borders, access to the EU market, and Northern Ireland's status? What solutions did you foresee for maintaining peace in Northern Ireland while addressing Brexit-related border issues and respecting the Good Friday Agreement? Looking back, how do you think the UK government could have better managed the economic and logistical challenges that arose post-Brexit?
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  79.  @louloubrow2171 Even one instance?
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  80.  @thetruth9210  The focus should be on how Brexit has been used to further the interests of the wealthy elite, often at the expense of working-class people who are facing higher costs and job insecurity. Given the growing inequality and the challenges faced by working people, do you think Brexit has ultimately empowered the working class, or has it deepened existing economic divides?
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