The EU Blame Game: Why Brexit Critics Persist in Scapegoating the Union
As a now-common theme in political discourse, Brexit critics often find themselves fixated on blaming the European Union (EU) for every perceived misfortune in the aftermath of the UK's departure. This article explores the motivations behind this persistent blame game, analyzing the psychology and underlying factors that drive this behavior.
Why Do Remain Voters Keep Blaming the EU?
The tendency for vote remain supporters to blame the EU for issues associated with Brexit is not just a recent phenomenon. It reflects a broader pattern of seeking a scapegoat for personal dissatisfaction. Remainers often avoid taking responsibility for their own choices, attributing the problems to external factors.
For example, the small print indicating a potential for a superstate, missed or ignored by politicians, is cited as a justification. This notion serves as a convenient narrative: it wasn't our fault, it was someone else's.
A Case of Blame and Misplaced Anger
Politicians like Jacob Rees-Mogg and Nigel Farage, seen as Brexit's poster boys, provided strategic but potentially misleading statements. Rees-Mogg suggested the benefits of Brexit might take 50 years to manifest, implying a steep cost for immediate conveniences. Farage’s assertion that the vote was unfinished business echoed a continued desire for a return to the status quo. Both men were right in their predictions, but their rhetoric has fueled a sense of betrayal among those who voted against these outcomes.
Cherry Picking the Disadvantages of Brexit
There are certainly some genuine challenges resulting from Brexit, such as the loss of frictionless travel and the increased red tape faced by exporters. However, the list of supposed Brexit-caused failures often greatly exceeds the reality. A closer look reveals that many of the perceived issues either did not materialize as predicted or were exacerbated by other factors, not just Brexit itself.
The true fault of Brexit is a negligible fraction of the claims made by angry Remainers. The real issue stems from a sense of lost entitlement. Many believed that their political views would always be prioritized within the EU framework. The bitter reality of having to defend those views has been a source of frustration and anger.
The Cult of Remain
The steadfast belief and repetitive claims made by pro-EU supporters are reminiscent of a cult. Despite numerous failed prophecies—such as predictions of increased unemployment, lorries at Dover, and shortages of goods—the remainers clung to their beliefs, much like zealots to a cause. Even when evidence mounted against their predictions, they remained entrenched in their narratives, proving increasingly disconnected from the real world.
It's worth noting that many of these critiquers did not even reside in the UK, suggesting that their criticism extends to a broader sense of identity and affinity with the European Union, rather than localized economic or political concerns.
Final Thoughts
This article does not intend to dismiss the genuine challenges and issues associated with Brexit, but rather to highlight the psychological and political aspects driving the blame game. For the majority of individuals living in the UK, the reality is that democracy requires compromise and often involves dealing with unforeseen challenges. The enduring belief in the remainers' prophecies is a testament to the power of messaging and the human tendency to seek simple explanations for complex situations.
Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, has become a convenient figure for those seeking to blame the EU, despite the nuanced reality of the situation.