Why Rejoining the EU Single Market Won't Bring Back the Real Benefits of Brexit

The question of whether the UK would actually miss tangible benefits if it rejoined the EU's Single Market, as some advocates seem to think, is a classic example of the impossibility of forseeing the future. The reality is, no one knows whether or when the UK will rejoin, nor can we accurately predict the benefits of its independence in the hypothetical future.

Rejoining the Single Market: A Hypothetical Exercise in Vague Personal Feelings

The idea of rejoining the EU Single Market is a mirage, at least in the context of the UK reverting to the benefits that Brexit proponents once believed it would lose. Rejoining the Single Market would mean reopening the UK border to free movement within the EU with discriminatory priority given to Europeans over non-Europeans, something that is currently illegal under the UK's current immigration policy. This would effectively nullify many of the benefits of Brexit that the UK and its citizens have experienced.

Scrapping Meritocratic Immigration Policy and Wages

Scrapping the UK's meritocratic immigration policy, which treats all world migrants fairly on the basis of equality of opportunity regardless of their nationality, would be a significant change. This policy has been a cornerstone of the UK's immigration system, allowing the country to attract skilled workers from around the world. Rejoining the Single Market would end this system, returning the UK to a scenario that could significantly suppress wages for British workers. Studies have shown that the end of EU free movement led to significant wage increases, especially in sectors like hospitality and retail. Reverting to this system would mean a return to wage suppression for British workers, something that remains a stark reality in many sectors.

Relaxing Border Security Rules and Prioritizing Economic Benefits Over Security

Leaving aside the economics, rejoining the Single Market would also mean a relaxation of border security rules. Currently, the UK requires EU criminals, including those with a one-year prison sentence, to be checked on a case-by-case basis. Rejoining the Single Market would mean that criminals from EU countries would be allowed into the UK with very little scrutiny, potentially undermining national security and public safety. Furthermore, the UK would have to surrender its ability to ban unethical practices such as live animal exports, shark fin products, and fur trade, which are currently being actively debated in Parliament as crucial ethical issues.

A Skeptical Outlook

Given the current political climate and the UK's current stance on immigration and border security, it is highly unlikely that the UK will rejoin the EU Single Market. The real benefits that the UK has experienced since leaving the EU are clear and tangible. For instance, increased wage growth across various sectors, and a return to stricter border control that ensures the safety and security of citizens.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the idea that rejoining the EU Single Market would bring back the real benefits of Brexit is based on a false premise. While there may be some economic benefits to free movement, the trade-offs in terms of wage suppression, prioritizing economic benefits over national security, and ethical concerns are substantial. The UK has embraced its independence and the benefits that come with it, and it is unlikely that a return to the status quo would be in the best interest of the country.