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What Went Wrong With Brexit: And What We Can Do About It
ONE OF 2023'S BIGGEST NEW BOOKS (GUARDIAN)
A FINANCIAL TIMES BEST BOOK OF 2023
A GUARDIAN 'IF YOU READ ONE BOOK ABOUT . . .' POLITICS PICK
A WATERSTONES BEST BOOK OF 2023: POLITICS
Six years after Brexit, it can feel like we’re still having the same conversations.
This is the explainer we need to move on.
And we do need to move on, because in the meantime so much has changed. The economic realities that are making the UK less competitive, less productive and less well-off are ever more obvious – and more and more people are finding out the Brexit they were sold was based on falsehoods and fantasy.
So what exactly went wrong with Brexit?
In this book, Peter Foster dispels the myths and, most importantly, shows what a better future for Britain after Brexit might look like. With clear-headed practicality, he considers the real costs of leaving the EU, how we can recover international trust in the UK, how to improve cooperation and trade with our neighbours, and how to begin to build the Global Britain that Brexit promised but failed to deliver.
The politicians won’t talk about it, so we need to.
A FINANCIAL TIMES BEST BOOK OF 2023
A GUARDIAN 'IF YOU READ ONE BOOK ABOUT . . .' POLITICS PICK
A WATERSTONES BEST BOOK OF 2023: POLITICS
Six years after Brexit, it can feel like we’re still having the same conversations.
This is the explainer we need to move on.
And we do need to move on, because in the meantime so much has changed. The economic realities that are making the UK less competitive, less productive and less well-off are ever more obvious – and more and more people are finding out the Brexit they were sold was based on falsehoods and fantasy.
So what exactly went wrong with Brexit?
In this book, Peter Foster dispels the myths and, most importantly, shows what a better future for Britain after Brexit might look like. With clear-headed practicality, he considers the real costs of leaving the EU, how we can recover international trust in the UK, how to improve cooperation and trade with our neighbours, and how to begin to build the Global Britain that Brexit promised but failed to deliver.
The politicians won’t talk about it, so we need to.
193 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 7, 2023
18 people are currently reading
188 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 17, 2026
They say that a first thing a cult does is to tell you that everyone else is wrong. Modern-day politicians are nothing less than cult-leaders in every sense of that word. Clearly defining and dividing people into us vs. them, driving deeper wedges through fear and paranoia, creating irreconcilable differences that can leave lasting scars - these are all qualities that are similar in both cult leaders and modern politicians.
Brexit is one such result of paranoia and narrow nationalism. While on one end EU was trying to unite the region, UK acted like a spoilt brat, expecting special deals and griping about national sovereignty simultaneously. With right wing politics and jingoisms being the order of the day the world over, the people of UK proved no different in deciding to sever the ties with EU.
But at what cost - social, economical and cultural? That is what this book is all about. Even for someone like me, a novice in geopolitical affairs, this book made a lot of sense and made me question the rationale behind the Brexit chaos. This book is no political argument of one party person against the decisions of another party but a critical, unbiased analysis by a credible journalist with worthy credentials.
Sensible, factual and detailed. Feels a tad repetitive at times, but good read nevertheless.
Brexit is one such result of paranoia and narrow nationalism. While on one end EU was trying to unite the region, UK acted like a spoilt brat, expecting special deals and griping about national sovereignty simultaneously. With right wing politics and jingoisms being the order of the day the world over, the people of UK proved no different in deciding to sever the ties with EU.
But at what cost - social, economical and cultural? That is what this book is all about. Even for someone like me, a novice in geopolitical affairs, this book made a lot of sense and made me question the rationale behind the Brexit chaos. This book is no political argument of one party person against the decisions of another party but a critical, unbiased analysis by a credible journalist with worthy credentials.
Sensible, factual and detailed. Feels a tad repetitive at times, but good read nevertheless.
March 28, 2024
A sobering read which everyone who peddles in protectionism and xenophobia should read
October 27, 2024
*3.75
Very insightful book on how Brexit has been handled wrong by the UK, and how to possibly fix the mistakes made in the past seven years.
Very insightful book on how Brexit has been handled wrong by the UK, and how to possibly fix the mistakes made in the past seven years.
Read
June 5, 2025dnf and dont plan on reading anymore since im done with UK politics dafuq
May 8, 2025
A well written, easy to read and thoughtful book written from the business point of view. Even though I voted for Brexit I found little to argue with in this book except for its somewhat singular, but very important, focus. He writes “So what price freedom?” but that is missing the point, IMO.
His forensic analysis of the mess made by government of the withdrawal process is very good typified by his analysis of the “collapse of the £3.8 billion British-volt gigafactory project in Blyth, Northumberland, in January 2023”.
His chapter on “WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT” is well thought out except he doesn’t seem to realise that a Customs Union requires a ‘Supreme Authority’ to ensure compliance by its members. Full authority over them is required. Bismark used this powerfully, when Prussia formed its first customs union in 1828, to develop full political integration, and the creation of the German Empire in 1871.
Another issue that surprised me was Foster’s dealing of ‘The European Arrest Warrant’ (EAW). He Wrote: “This was a system that replaced a network of cumbersome national extradition treaties to create a seamless means of sending criminals to face trial in other EU countries.” On the face of it, this sounds a good thing except that, up to that point, our extradition treaties required the examination of “prima facie” evidence, that is “evidence that is sufficient to establish a fact or raise a presumption unless it is rebutted by contrary evidence” (WikiP). The EAW just has to be a document that is correct, from a technical point of view – no examination of prima facie evidence is required. Quite a few people have spent time in some of the most terrible European prisons, awaiting trial, when examination of the prima facie evidence would have shown clearly, that they were completely innocent. A classic horror case was that of Andrew Symeou, extradited to one of the worst jails in Europe, for a year, when he was clearly innocent. I attended the Royal Courts of Justice appeal against his extradition and watched the judges squirm as they had to agree with the technically correct EAW, for Symeou when they knew that he was innocent.
Yes, the EU is fine whilst the unaccountable unelected EU Commission makes good laws, but when it starts to make oppressively bad laws, we will realise that leaving was in our long term interest. However bad our government is, we have the power to vote our law makers in or out. Foster seems to fail to understand that, one day, that point will be very obvious to all, despite the awful mess we have made of trade. Trade can be fixed.
His forensic analysis of the mess made by government of the withdrawal process is very good typified by his analysis of the “collapse of the £3.8 billion British-volt gigafactory project in Blyth, Northumberland, in January 2023”.
His chapter on “WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT” is well thought out except he doesn’t seem to realise that a Customs Union requires a ‘Supreme Authority’ to ensure compliance by its members. Full authority over them is required. Bismark used this powerfully, when Prussia formed its first customs union in 1828, to develop full political integration, and the creation of the German Empire in 1871.
Another issue that surprised me was Foster’s dealing of ‘The European Arrest Warrant’ (EAW). He Wrote: “This was a system that replaced a network of cumbersome national extradition treaties to create a seamless means of sending criminals to face trial in other EU countries.” On the face of it, this sounds a good thing except that, up to that point, our extradition treaties required the examination of “prima facie” evidence, that is “evidence that is sufficient to establish a fact or raise a presumption unless it is rebutted by contrary evidence” (WikiP). The EAW just has to be a document that is correct, from a technical point of view – no examination of prima facie evidence is required. Quite a few people have spent time in some of the most terrible European prisons, awaiting trial, when examination of the prima facie evidence would have shown clearly, that they were completely innocent. A classic horror case was that of Andrew Symeou, extradited to one of the worst jails in Europe, for a year, when he was clearly innocent. I attended the Royal Courts of Justice appeal against his extradition and watched the judges squirm as they had to agree with the technically correct EAW, for Symeou when they knew that he was innocent.
Yes, the EU is fine whilst the unaccountable unelected EU Commission makes good laws, but when it starts to make oppressively bad laws, we will realise that leaving was in our long term interest. However bad our government is, we have the power to vote our law makers in or out. Foster seems to fail to understand that, one day, that point will be very obvious to all, despite the awful mess we have made of trade. Trade can be fixed.
September 24, 2023
This book is a technical book from a Remainer perspective on the issue of the current structure of the Brexit deal - primarily the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). It deals with its limits and effects, but not too much with its origins. Its primary points are that there was a huge misunderstanding about the impacts of non-tariff barriers to trade with the EU after Brexit, that independent regulation does not lead to better outcomes (what Foster calls "the Red Tape fallacy" - unitary European regulations on consumer products create predictability and actually make trade easier) and the current situation of the UK undermines its position and makes trade unnecessarily difficult.
As somebody who has lived through the whole of the Brexit saga in the UK, I was hoping for a fuller story on, if not the politics, then at least how the policy came to its current and final conclusion. Unfortunately, this book is a very dry retelling of a narrative, with which I completely agree, but am still extremely bored to read through - about individual companies and organisations, that have their life either more difficult as a result of Brexit, or who had to cut ties across the Chanel because of it.
Some of the descriptions of the Brexiteers are almost ridiculously one-dimensional, especially of David Frost, and the narrative is until the last two chapters extremely black-and-white. That is not to say that I do not believe that Brexit is in its current form an absolute disaster, it is just that when there are more pages given to the plight of British ski instructors and tourist guides who can no longer easily work in the EU than about a proper description of the structure and origins of the current deals, it severely limits the book overall.
Overall, I think it is a good start to the technicalities of Brexit and its terminology, especially as with the change of government in the UK and the upcoming review of TCA in 2026, there is a good chance that it can be at least somewhat adjusted. The book deals with the possible options, but not too thoroughly. It would also benefit from good proofreading, with some typos and repeated words.
As somebody who has lived through the whole of the Brexit saga in the UK, I was hoping for a fuller story on, if not the politics, then at least how the policy came to its current and final conclusion. Unfortunately, this book is a very dry retelling of a narrative, with which I completely agree, but am still extremely bored to read through - about individual companies and organisations, that have their life either more difficult as a result of Brexit, or who had to cut ties across the Chanel because of it.
Some of the descriptions of the Brexiteers are almost ridiculously one-dimensional, especially of David Frost, and the narrative is until the last two chapters extremely black-and-white. That is not to say that I do not believe that Brexit is in its current form an absolute disaster, it is just that when there are more pages given to the plight of British ski instructors and tourist guides who can no longer easily work in the EU than about a proper description of the structure and origins of the current deals, it severely limits the book overall.
Overall, I think it is a good start to the technicalities of Brexit and its terminology, especially as with the change of government in the UK and the upcoming review of TCA in 2026, there is a good chance that it can be at least somewhat adjusted. The book deals with the possible options, but not too thoroughly. It would also benefit from good proofreading, with some typos and repeated words.
March 8, 2024
Good government can no longer be taken for granted. That's the sad legacy of the Trump-Johnson era. (EU official who lived through the Brexit negotations)
Promised myths and madcap pledges seldom deliver. They didn't in the case of Brexit. Britain would free itself from the EU red tape, stop immigrants from immigrating, and re-enhance the idea of buccaneering Britain (that splendid British exceptionalism!)
This simplistic anti-EU-approach got Britain into a state of limbo, Foster argues: there's political instability at home (four Brexit prime ministers in six years), embarrassment abroad, surprisingly high levels of immigration, and poor trade performance. The UK is looking more parochial instead of more global.
Foster explains in great detail what the consequences of Brexit are, seven years after the referendum of 23rd June 2016. Now, businesses struggle with separate British regulation, the export numbers have dropped, there's chaos in the certification of products. The 'points-based' system for immigrants has led to severe staff problems for farming, education, the NHS and social care. The peace in Northern Ireland is threathened and there are intra-UK-tensions, as Westminster dictates Scotland and Wales more than ever.
Foster is not afraid to hand out the blame, which I thoroughly applaud. Politicans bear an overwhelming responsibility in the Brexit-drama. The blatant undermining of the judiciary and civil services by Boris Johnson have scarred the UK's international reputation, as has the passage of Liz Truss (Foster seems to give a little more credit to Rishi Sunak - but just a little).
Foster goes beyond explaining the result of the promised myths, he also focuses on how to move on and how trust in the UK can be recovered. The first mission (for a new Labour government?) should be to re-engage with Europe and gain back trust. The review of the free trade agreement in 2026 also offers possibilities.
While reading What went wrong with Brexit I was often struck by disbelief, but the numbers and figures were there to prove the author right.
Essential reading for every British citizen and future politician.
Promised myths and madcap pledges seldom deliver. They didn't in the case of Brexit. Britain would free itself from the EU red tape, stop immigrants from immigrating, and re-enhance the idea of buccaneering Britain (that splendid British exceptionalism!)
This simplistic anti-EU-approach got Britain into a state of limbo, Foster argues: there's political instability at home (four Brexit prime ministers in six years), embarrassment abroad, surprisingly high levels of immigration, and poor trade performance. The UK is looking more parochial instead of more global.
Foster explains in great detail what the consequences of Brexit are, seven years after the referendum of 23rd June 2016. Now, businesses struggle with separate British regulation, the export numbers have dropped, there's chaos in the certification of products. The 'points-based' system for immigrants has led to severe staff problems for farming, education, the NHS and social care. The peace in Northern Ireland is threathened and there are intra-UK-tensions, as Westminster dictates Scotland and Wales more than ever.
Foster is not afraid to hand out the blame, which I thoroughly applaud. Politicans bear an overwhelming responsibility in the Brexit-drama. The blatant undermining of the judiciary and civil services by Boris Johnson have scarred the UK's international reputation, as has the passage of Liz Truss (Foster seems to give a little more credit to Rishi Sunak - but just a little).
Foster goes beyond explaining the result of the promised myths, he also focuses on how to move on and how trust in the UK can be recovered. The first mission (for a new Labour government?) should be to re-engage with Europe and gain back trust. The review of the free trade agreement in 2026 also offers possibilities.
While reading What went wrong with Brexit I was often struck by disbelief, but the numbers and figures were there to prove the author right.
Essential reading for every British citizen and future politician.
October 18, 2023
Brexit has failed but the situation is retrievable
Apart from a rapidly shrinking minority, it is now obvious that Brexit has failed. Foster is not the first (and won't be the last) person to write a book about that but he goes further and explains how the situation is retrievable.
Apart from a rapidly shrinking minority, it is now obvious that Brexit has failed. Foster is not the first (and won't be the last) person to write a book about that but he goes further and explains how the situation is retrievable.
August 7, 2024
At last .. a relatively easy unravelling of the issues preventing Brexit success
The author sets out a pragmatic objective assessment of the issues that have to be confronted in getting Britain out of the quagmire created by Brexit. I now have an informed understanding of how complicated it is for HM Gov. to change direction and plan long term for significant improvement in our long term but essential economic performance. An essential helpful read for lay people concerned to see the country realign it’s future with the EU.
The author sets out a pragmatic objective assessment of the issues that have to be confronted in getting Britain out of the quagmire created by Brexit. I now have an informed understanding of how complicated it is for HM Gov. to change direction and plan long term for significant improvement in our long term but essential economic performance. An essential helpful read for lay people concerned to see the country realign it’s future with the EU.
October 1, 2023
Less information and more opinions. author seems frustrated and imposing his conclusions.
October 12, 2023
🤦♂️😤😭 Forensic and frank; essential reading as Brexit-voting boomers reduce in numbers.
November 2, 2023
I wish I could give a copy of this book to every Brexiteer
July 1, 2024
I feel this could both be a much longer book, and also a far far shorter one depending on the desires of the reader. Informative, detailed and entirely sane. This should probably be required reading.
February 3, 2025
Excellent explainer, but a very depressing read. I was hoping for a happy hopeful ending but was disappointed. Everyone should read this, however you voted in the referendum.
January 19, 2024
V trade (and less so business) focused. He says that it's a reporter's book, but also not based on interviews with people who were making decisions or in the room when decisions were being made. Details the technical complexities and problems in a really accessible way.
December 27, 2024
A short study on Brexit, What Why and Where Next.
In 2023, Opinion polls suggest that around two-thirds of British people think Brexit has failed and that more than 50 per cent would like to see Britain rejoin the EU....So what went wrong, as Forster notes 'We never live in the counterfactual world, so proof is always against us ...
How is the UK going to create a stable regulatory and political environment that will drive investment, that will make the UK a credible actor when it’s outside its own neighbourhood structures?
No Answers .. yet..
In 2023, Opinion polls suggest that around two-thirds of British people think Brexit has failed and that more than 50 per cent would like to see Britain rejoin the EU....So what went wrong, as Forster notes 'We never live in the counterfactual world, so proof is always against us ...
How is the UK going to create a stable regulatory and political environment that will drive investment, that will make the UK a credible actor when it’s outside its own neighbourhood structures?
No Answers .. yet..
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews