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News & Current Events Apr 25, 2026 at 11:07 PM

Britain should seek to rejoin EU, says civil servant who led Brexit department

Posted by Free-Minimum-5844


Britain should seek to rejoin EU, says civil servant who led Brexit department
the Guardian
Britain should seek to rejoin EU, says civil servant who led Brexit department
Philip Rycroft says promises on issues from economics to immigration have not lived up to expectations

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Wing13Nut Apr 26, 2026 +323
“UnBrexit” sounds pretty good for a slogan.
323
PensilEraser Apr 26, 2026 +51
Bregret
51
SantorumsGayMasseuse Apr 26, 2026 +130
Brenter
130
ArgieKB Apr 26, 2026 +137
BritIn
137
evilparagon Apr 26, 2026 +40
This is the best word slogan they could go with, but it should be Brit-In to make it more identifiable as an intentional term rather than a typo, or something that looks like Britln (lowercase L).
40
ArgieKB Apr 26, 2026 +19
You're 100% correct. However, I would argue that it being badly designed would be better to signify the stupidity of them leaving in the first place
19
mmoonbelly Apr 26, 2026 +2
Might anger the Scottish Nationalists (still confused by the individual I met who voted for Brexit on the basis it would enable an independent Scotland to join the EU in its own right)
2
Norklander Apr 26, 2026 +4
Are there any non angry Scottish Nationalists?
4
Thatchers-Gold Apr 26, 2026 +1
There are lots of angry Scottish nationalists these days that aren’t even Scottish, as evidenced by all the pro independence accounts that went down when Tehran was being bombed last year
1
RafikiSykes Apr 26, 2026 +1
Where are you guys pulling all this shite? Pure nonsense 😄
1
Thatchers-Gold Apr 26, 2026 +1
There’s no “you guys”, this isn’t a team effort, it’s just readily available information >where [UK Defence Journal](https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/iranian-linked-scottish-accounts-fall-silent-again/) [The Telegraph](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/01/12/scottish-independence-accounts-dark-iran-internet-blackout/) [Scottish Liberal Democrats](https://www.scotlibdems.org.uk/news/article/dozens-of-pro-independence-accounts-go-dark-after-israeli-strikes-on-iran) You could’ve just googled it
1
macrolidesrule Apr 26, 2026 -1
They are fun to wind up - like most nationalists, they are as thick as mince.
-1
Zealousideal-Cod-924 Apr 26, 2026 +2
I know a lot of Irish nationalists. Most of them very dedicated, capable, clever people. It'd be very wrong to underestimate them. Mind you, a few of them are indeed as thick as mince. But I think that's just statistics.
2
Persimmon-Mission Apr 26, 2026 +8
Brejoin
8
Fearless_Coconut_137 Apr 26, 2026 +7
Bre-do
7
TangoPRomeo Apr 26, 2026 +10
But I barely know her!
10
Top_Conference_477 Apr 26, 2026 +5
Brent over a Barrel
5
NizmoxAU Apr 26, 2026 +3
Brenertration?
3
Tackit286 Apr 26, 2026 +4
Bre-entry
4
stalinsnicerbrother Apr 26, 2026 +1
Brit seems we've made a serious mistake
1
Alamata626 Apr 26, 2026
Brenewel
0
Twiroxi Apr 26, 2026 +25
Breturn
25
Starfox-sf Apr 26, 2026 +7
Debrexit
7
pmcall221 Apr 26, 2026 +12
Regrexit
12
ididitforthemusics Apr 26, 2026 +6
Bre-enter
6
karma3000 Apr 26, 2026 +5
Brentrée
5
FxckFxntxnyl Apr 26, 2026 +3
CTRL+Z to Brundoit
3
Fearless_Coconut_137 Apr 26, 2026 +1
Bre-do [fixed typo]
1
Tomdoerr88 Apr 26, 2026 +3
‘Breturn’
3
Sorry-Climate-7982 Apr 26, 2026 +2
DeBrexit? De Brexit of Champions?
2
VeryLazyEngineeer Apr 26, 2026 +2
BrEUtern
2
umanghome Apr 26, 2026 +2
Brejoin
2
Affectionate_Oven_77 Apr 26, 2026 +2
Brundo
2
Ahlq802 Apr 26, 2026 +2
”let’s do brexit, but hear me out, let’s Brexit back in…”
2
drivelhead Apr 26, 2026 +1
Great Breturn
1
karma3000 Apr 26, 2026 +1
Brentry
1
Captain_Phobos Apr 26, 2026 +1
Brentry
1
Lackof_Creativity Apr 26, 2026 +1
Brexidaisy
1
Cachar Apr 26, 2026 +1
Brejoin
1
murxman Apr 26, 2026 +1
U Kan Join
1
Young_Lochinvar Apr 26, 2026 +128
It takes a degree of bravery to say ‘my old job shouldn’t exist because it’s trying to achieve the wrong outcome.’
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bisouscribe Apr 26, 2026 +46
They knew what they were doing.
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Young_Lochinvar Apr 26, 2026 +25
One would hope the technocratic head of a civil service department knew what they were doing. Government wouldn’t run otherwise.
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fang_xianfu Apr 26, 2026 +27
Civil Servants don't get to choose policy, and you would hope they would faithfully carry out the instructions of the government no matter their personal political opinion. That's the system working.
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Darius_Rubinx Apr 26, 2026 +1
Yes, civil servants have to carry out the government's policy even when they disagree with it. Of course, taking a moral stance and quitting is an option.
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kriebelrui Apr 26, 2026 -1
Most civil servants don't do jobs that go squarely against their own beliefs. 
-1
mykkenny Apr 26, 2026 +1
That's one argument; I'd say the belief that someone wants to continue to have a roof over their head, food on their table and enjoy the lifestyle they currently have could make a lot of people put aside personal feelings.
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cinderubella Apr 26, 2026 +13
Anywhere except a civil service, yes. But the civil service is supposed to do what the government tells it to do. Down the other road lies a shitshow like the USA where parts of the government are stuffed with Trump loyalists right now. 
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ClaroStar Apr 26, 2026 +4
Ask Tucker Carlson about that...
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Remarkable_Set1842 Apr 25, 2026 +51
Moscow delenda est
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ClubSoda Apr 26, 2026 +5
> Moscow delenda est Specifically, the Kremlin and all the criminal oligarchs affiliated with P.
5
Sorry-Climate-7982 Apr 26, 2026 +56
Brexit should have been a warning to the world that a huge wave of crazy was about to happen.
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Toth-Amon Apr 25, 2026 +140
Well, Britain being part of EU makes sense from everyone else’s perspective.  But also if they are going to join and be disruptive at every turn, then perhaps it is better if they stay out. 
140
oliviashrewtonbong Apr 26, 2026 +85
There is very little serious momentum in the UK for this to happen. People would rather put up with the status quo than go through another 5-10 years of constant bickering. And in any case, if the EU did insist on normal joining conditions, Schengen and the Euro etc, then support to join would absolutely plummet. I just don't see it as a viable thing for at least another few decades, and for the avoidance of doubt I voted remain and would rejoin tomorrow.
85
IanT86 Apr 26, 2026 +32
Exactly the same here and I totally agree. I actually think you'd be able to sway the masses again by showing how difficult a time the EU members are having anyways. It's not like Germany, France etc are watching their economies fly while we struggle along. I imagine we'll end up in the EU again at some point, but to your point, probably not for a generation
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Colbert2020 Apr 26, 2026 +7
Okay but Hungary was a constant thorn in the side of the EU due to Russian interference. I think the media pipeline between the USA and the UK is a short one. What are the odds a UK in the EU would be even worse than Hungary was?
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Zanadar Apr 26, 2026 +7
Hungary was a leader selling themselves to a hostile foreign power. A majority of the population are not looking to advance Russian interests over European ones. Britain is a completely different situation. The gap between the goals of the European project and what the average Britton wants out of it is not something which can be bridged in this generation, or maybe even ever. The most that can realistically happen is for some future UK government to dupe the public into accepting a shit deal like Norway has, with most of the responsibilities and no real representation, just to get back into the EEA. Probably couch it in terms of "maintaining sovereignty" while downplaying the whole "most of the drawbacks without the ability to vote" part.
7
Darius_Rubinx Apr 26, 2026 +1
The UK at its worst still does not remotely compare to Trump or Orban. The UK is currently proving why having strong civil institutions matters. Britain is extremely good at course-correcting.
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GaZzErZz Apr 26, 2026 +2
I'm a millennial, I'm done with "events". I'm just trying to survive my life right now and not have another spanner in the works.
2
Danielharris1260 Apr 26, 2026 +2
Yeah rejoin is popular in principle on polls but once you start mentioning joint the Euro and Freedom of movement popularity drops massively.
2
AntonioH02 Apr 26, 2026 +5
Sounds like sunk cost fallacy to me
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lesh666 Apr 26, 2026 +2
Well, you had your pound and your special treatment, to keep those you had to not leave.  If you rejoin, it will indeed be with the euro and the rest. People who believe the EU would let them join back with their past privileges are deeply mistaken. 
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oliviashrewtonbong Apr 26, 2026 +10
> People who believe the EU would let them join back with their past privileges are deeply mistaken.  I don't think many people believe this. Hence my point - the UK is a generation away from rejoining and articles like this are odd - anyone that lives here knows it is not a real thing right now.
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lesh666 Apr 26, 2026 -1
Yeah I understand.  I’ve had long talks with people who voted Leave.  The issue is that as time passes and the US discards the special relationship even further, the appeal of the UK as a member and its bargaining power will only decrease.  I don’t know what the UK or the EU will look like in a generation, but my guess is we need each other now instead of later. 
-1
Fast-Satisfaction482 Apr 26, 2026 +1
The eastern European countries will never allow the UK to enter at conditions they didn't get themselves. Even in Germany, going back to the pre-Brexit deal between EU and UK is unpopular. If you rejoin (which I sincerely hope for), it will be with all strings attached. 
1
ThereAndFapAgain2 Apr 26, 2026 +1
Then the UK simply won’t ever rejoin imo. No politician would ever be able to sell that to the British people so the conversation isn’t even worth having at that point.
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Fast-Satisfaction482 Apr 26, 2026 +1
Yes, it seems to be a non-starter at the moment. And as much as we would like to have the UK back at the table, upholding principles is more important now than ever.
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Otis_Inf Apr 26, 2026 -2
If the UK doesn't want to join on the EU's terms, then ... well, don't join and live with the consequences of being a small country in a world with big economic blocks. Working together as countries requires compromises. The UK wasn't willing to compromise when they were part of the EU, demanding exceptions for a lot of things the other member states were subject to, but rejoining should absolutely be about the UK making compromises and show they really want to be part of the EU.
-2
oliviashrewtonbong Apr 26, 2026 +4
Sure. I don't disagree. The two parties would likely be so far apart in terms of starting position that it is going to be, as someone else said, at least a generation before this settles down into something workable. Which is why I find articles like this which drip feed out about the UK rejoining bizarre. People that live here understand we are miles away from that point, sadly.
4
Darius_Rubinx Apr 26, 2026 +1
The EU has yet to make a serious good faith proposal on how the UK would come back. France is just going to throw a hissy fit over the f\*cking fish again, and you know it.
1
Sieve-Boy Apr 26, 2026 -13
Its probably time for the Poms to enjoy some humble pie that they purchased with Euros.
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pmcall221 Apr 26, 2026 +41
Yeah, it's better in than out. Every frickin economist knew it. It will be at least 20 years before it happens again. No sweetheart deal this time. And probably need to adopt the euro so leaving will be even harder next time.
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Blah_McBlah_ Apr 26, 2026 +18
Given that the USA is increasingly hostile towards European countries, the EU might not play hard ball with the UK. I doubt it'll be the same exceptions as before, but if the UK is able to bring some of its former domions of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand into a closer alignment with the EU, the EU may still be willing to have a sweetheart deal again.
18
FaultOutside2449 Apr 26, 2026 +2
Actually with all the bullshit between Western and Eastern members over things like: migration, defense and Russia. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the EU leadership prefer less members.
2
kriebelrui Apr 26, 2026 +1
It's more about the kind of members (do they really fit)  than about the number. 
1
ParticularTable5921 Apr 26, 2026 +1
The UK has no power in the policies of its former dominions; it's like saying they'd bring India and Hong Kong into closer alignment with the EU.
1
Swangthemthings Apr 26, 2026 +6
You Brexit, you buy it.
6
no_kids-and-3_money Apr 25, 2026 +20
I mean better late than never? That was a particularly terrible decision that left Britain vulnerable in so many ways. 3-5% drop in expected GDP is huge. The better trade deals that were supposed to come with sovereignty never materialized and now the cost of living is higher than it would have been. Time to admit the mistake and begin the long, complicated process of making their way back. (I say this as an American that has much bigger problems of our own to worry about.)
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kriebelrui Apr 26, 2026 +1
It was well known even before the 2016 referendum that a Brexit would be bad for the British economy. Even Boris Johnson admitted that at the time. However, a part of the British politicians class figured it would be in their own interest to promote a Brexit regardless. And their campaign was way better then the Remain campaign. The process got it's own dynamic and the rest is history.
1
JaVelin-X- Apr 26, 2026 -16
and the worst part there are still black people there! /s
-16
HarshComputing Apr 26, 2026 +2
BReturn!
2
MaxMouseOCX Apr 26, 2026 +1
With how much we've been fucked about over the last several years, I can see europe forcing us to take the euro, I can't see that making many people happy.
1
sparklybeast Apr 26, 2026 +1
I can't see the UK ever accepting the Euro so if that's a condition of rejoining the EU it's likely never going to happen.
1
MaxMouseOCX Apr 26, 2026 +1
I get it, it's a valid "actually f*** you" from Europe, I just don't think we could accept it.
1
Corpus76 Apr 26, 2026 +1
Can't you just do like Sweden and postpone it indefinitely?
1
MaxMouseOCX Apr 26, 2026 +1
Yea probably, there's a few other pretty hot topic things though. Being in Europe (or going back) is a good idea, there's just a handful of things the general public won't accept. And I have no idea how to fix those things from any angle.
1
Extension-Truth Apr 26, 2026 +1
The civil service remaining politically neutral again I see….
1
ledoscreen Apr 26, 2026 +1
Bureaucrats of all nations, unite!
1
Idlers_Dream Apr 26, 2026 +3
Europe trying to block the drunk texts from the ex
3
PaymentTurbulent193 Apr 26, 2026 +2
I knew that Britain should do this since literally the moment it happened. It was so blatantly obvious.
2
FeistySloth Apr 26, 2026 +1
Breentry
1
rocketstopya Apr 26, 2026 +1
Well, why not try a lighter agreement like the Norwegian contract?
1
Jensen1994 Apr 26, 2026 +1
That Rycroft been employed anywhere since Brexit is damning in itself.
1
Cold_Drawer_7780 Apr 26, 2026 +1
Brexit was the David Cameron’s biggest mistake (well the Tories and Nigel Farrage), and now people want to rejoin the EU as they now see all the benefits it gave the UK.
1
Durzo_Blintt Apr 26, 2026 +1
He used the Brexit vote as a political tool thinking people would vote no, then when it came through as yes he left cause he knew it was wrong. The fact he is the reason for this and he's just able to live his fancy life without repercussions pisses me off. F*** David Cameron and Nigel farage. 
1
bottleflick Apr 26, 2026 +1
Cameron wantied the political debate to give him more power. Farage saw it as way to get richer and blame real problems on Europe. British and American citizens just are right kind of privileged stupid to give conmen power
1
Tigereyesxx Apr 26, 2026 +1
100% agree and Labour can get it through Parliament with their majority..
1
patiperro_v3 Apr 26, 2026 +1
Does he still have a job?
1
TickingTheMoments Apr 26, 2026 -1
Should the EU accept England back into the union?    “I know I was a wanker and I left you but I see I’m not as good as I was when I was with you.” 
-1
Fast-Satisfaction482 Apr 26, 2026
It's not a zero sum game and the EU is not losing out on being with a decent partner like my ex would, lol. We're stronger together, but there will be no more special treatment for the UK. 
0
leiwulongT3 Apr 26, 2026
This time they should have to give up the pound if they really want to join. 
0
basetheory Apr 26, 2026 +1
UK resident here. Totally fine with that, personally. I don’t understand the apprehension some people in the UK have over the euro. Then again, I’m no economist
1
maguirenumber6 Apr 26, 2026 +1
Breturn
1
Obulgaryan Apr 26, 2026 +1
Europe, init
1
Edoian Apr 26, 2026 +1
What a waste of a decade due to a bunch of clowns. Incidentally, the same clowns might win the next election.
1
Durzo_Blintt Apr 26, 2026 +1
If reform somehow win, the UK is genuinely finished. I don't think they will win, but it's not impossible. Workers rights and quality of life for lower income people will be decimated. Then those crooks will vanish with their money when it hits the fan and we will be left with a broken country. I believe farage is capable of taking us back a century.
1
Scar3cr0w_ Apr 26, 2026 +1
Yes. Obviously we should. Anyway, when? Let’s get it done.
1
ironedie Apr 26, 2026 -1
Not until the there's supermajority, and they're joining on normal rules without any exemptions. I'm sick of British drama, and it'd be annoying for them to re Brexit a decade or two down the line.
-1
Objective_Meat2348 Apr 26, 2026
Stupid dumb c*** hypocrite politician *edit. Just a dumb c*** hypocrite
0
spribyl Apr 26, 2026 +3
This is not a politician but a civil servant. He was assigned the job and did it, despite the fact he didn't agree. The politicians that supported brexit are dipshits
3
Objective_Meat2348 Apr 26, 2026 +1
Edited for clarity 👌🏿
1
lingeringneutrophil Apr 26, 2026
Seriously
0
Xireka- Apr 26, 2026 -2
UK should seek to fix it's own damn country first You can't tell me it's normal people get arrested for saying "I love bacon" or posting something online
-2
Inner-Thought9665 Apr 26, 2026
I mean I keep telling people that UK should go back to the EU and no agrees with me. Now I say this: I TOLD YOU SO! Also, get John Oliver NOW!
0
SomeUTAUguy Apr 26, 2026 +1
Lol good luck with that. I am pretty sure the EU will never let Great Britain back in after how it acted when leaving. 
1
Wambo74 Apr 26, 2026 -18
Have the problems leading to Brexit been resolved? Excessive immigration, over-regulation from Brussels, etc? Plus economically the EU is worse than ever with loss of Russian oil and gas. Nuke-free Germany is seriously de-industrializing. France seems ungovernable. The Mediterranean countries are existing on handouts from the others. There may be a breakup of Nato and few of those countries have a significant military to defend themselves. Brexit hasn't worked out great but UnBrexit may not work out well either. Tough times all around.
-18
hadrian_afer Apr 26, 2026 +5
I agree with you. Please, stay where you are.
5
gearstars Apr 26, 2026 +3
I think people are more concerned with things happening in the real world.
3
ClubSoda Apr 26, 2026 +2
Canada has already stepped in to supplant Russian oil and gas imports to EU. Thanks to the de facto President of the United Europe, Mr. Mark Carney.
2
youspiv Apr 26, 2026 -4
Yep
-4
BuiltStraightStupid Apr 26, 2026 -6
I saw a while ago that the EU doesn't really need the UK at all, and to rejoin we'd really need to buck our ideas up, essentially have and economic boom and pretty much completely get rid of GBP (because us keeping the GBP was a special courtesy afforded to us when we'd first joined). Now that we've left, fucked up the economy and essentially rubbed the EU's nose in it, we'd be expected to drop our currency (which is more valuable) and meet a bunch of other criteria before we can even reapply. The way I see it, the only way to "UnBrexit" as the top commenter said, is with a Time Machine, and if anyone's got one of those lying around I'd say f*** it, let me go back to 2008 and put a couple grand into Bitcoin while we're at it.
-6
2Eggwall Apr 26, 2026 +1
The Eurozone isn't quite the same as the EU or even the Schengen area. The UK would be perfectly able to join the EU and keep GBP. What you wouldn't get back is the various beneficial carve outs of EU law that Europe had used to get Britain onside for Lisbon. Those are gone and never coming back.
1
gcu_vagarist Apr 26, 2026 +2
New members of the EU are obliged to adopt the Euro. The UK had an opt out, but it's not clear if they would upon returning.
2
jphamlore Apr 26, 2026 -8
Just agree to but put off 20 years into the future giving Greece back the Elgin Marbles, handing Gibralter over to Spain, and replacing the pound with the Euro.
-8
Weak_Tower385 Apr 26, 2026 -3
Like they’ll get treated as equals after bending the knee before Brussels with hat in hand.
-3
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