Do Brits Have the Feeling That the EU is Punishing the UK for Brexit?

Only the Brexiters who, despite being repeatedly told that the European Union is merely treating the UK as a non-EU nation, as they voted for, seem to believe that it's somehow 'unfair', where they expect the same level of access and benefits as they had during their tenure within the EU.

Some of the deluded Brexshit voters do see it this way. They fail to understand why they can't retain the same deals they enjoyed as an EU member. Imagine a scenario in a gym: if you cancel your membership and refuse to pay, then show up for exercise sessions, you'd be denied entry. This is not a punishment; this is the reality of moving on.

Disruption and Border Controls in Kent

I live in Kent, a region near the Channel Tunnel and Channel ports, which frequently face massive disruptions due to under-staffed French border controls. Each car, bus, and lorry is subject to individual checks, leading to significant backlogs. To me, this seems part of the EU's strategy to punish the UK for Brexit.

My personal view is that if this ever happens, every French vehicle in the backlog should be pulled and made to wait until the queue is cleared. This reflects the broader sentiments among Brits regarding the perceived unfairness of these border measures.

The Slow Process of Unraveling EU Laws

We're slowly but surely working towards ridding ourselves of EU laws. An example of this is the 'bendy grapes' and 'bendy carrots' - produce that doesn't meet the strict EU standards due to imperfections like being too long, too short, or too thin. These are either used for animal feed or discarded. The carrots I recently bought from Peru were short but still looked eatable and delicious. The same applies to my friend's shellfish business; EU fisherman are prevented from harvesting fish for several months of the year, despite strict EU laws.

The Impact on Daily Life

In terms of daily life, leaving the EU hasn't affected me much. Apart from receiving my first COVID-19 vaccine ahead of the EU population, causing a delay in the vaccination process, there have been no significant food shortages or price hikes compared to Ireland. Although there was a temporary issue with truck drivers, this problem is long-since resolved.

The Perception of Foreign Policy Autonomy

Do I miss watching foreign policy makers deciding what happens in the UK? Frankly, I don't. It seems the EU has accepted the UK's decision to leave and moved on. Perhaps it's time for them to do the same.

Conclusion

Overall, the UK has adapted well to the post-Brexit reality. While there may be some challenges, the country is moving forward and embracing the newfound independence without the constraints of EU membership. The perception of punishment is more of a misinterpretation than a reality.