Britons in 2 minds about ‘Christmas present’ Brexit deal

BOSTON (UK) – After months of fraught negotiations between the European Union and UK, Britons welcomed yesterday’s “Christmas present” Brexit deal with relief and some scepticism.

David Ashby, a 62-year-old from the town here on the east coast of England, called it “a nice Christmas present for the country”, saying it is good “just to get it all finished and tied up and done with”.

“I think it’s dragged on for too long now.”

Andy Finch, who lives in the Lincolnshire market town that voted by a higher margin than anywhere else in the UK to leave the EU, sounded a pessimistic note.

“I don’t think it was a good idea in the first place. I still don’t think it’s a good idea. But that’s where we are. And, well, we’ll just have to see.”

Paul Skinner, leader of Boston Borough Council, questioned the thinking behind leaving the EU.

“At the end of the day, what we do need to be doing is work with our partners, whether it’s the council next door, or the countries next door, it works better if we work together. So, that’s the way I see it.”

In London, news of the deal was met with relief.

“It would’ve been a disaster if there would’ve been no deal, so very pleased that there is,” said Shane O’Neill.

Move on

O’Neill added that he would have preferred for Britain to remain in the EU, but that ultimately, “now the debate is over, and we need to move on”.

Student Harry Vincent said it is a “relief” to have a deal, but questioned whether it would have been better to remain in the EU.

He said the compromises that had been necessary to strike a deal “sort of made me wonder whether it was worth it to begin with it at all”.

Hugh Rowlands said the Brexit deal is like a “big Christmas present”.

The student said this is especially the case after “Christmas was cancelled” following the reintroduction of coronavirus restrictions across much of the country.

In the Scottish capital of Edinburgh, which voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU, Sharmila Hutchinson, a 35-year-old bank employee, said she did not support Brexit, and is “gutted to not be part of Europe anymore”.

“It does make me nervous to think how I’m going to visit European cities and friends.”

Henry Gray, a charity worker, said Brexit brought him to think Scotland should become an independent country.

“I think we could be led better from Scotland. It would be nice to feel we would be part of the EU still.”

Lewis Summers, a 25-year-old property developer, is pleased the whole thing is over.

“I’m happy that it’s eventually over the line.

“There’s been a bit of uncertainty, but hopefully, we can just move on and get things done now.” – AFP, December 25, 2020