“He knows he’s massively messed up,” says a source close to Boris Johnson, as reports emerge that the former Prime Minister deeply regrets his role in championing Brexit.
The Brexit Blues
Matt Kelly, editor of The New European, dropped the bombshell on Twitter, claiming someone close to Johnson revealed he wishes he had sent “the other letter.” The source didn’t hold back: “He knows he’s messed up massively. Now he’s figuring out how to get himself out of the mess.”
For those who need a reminder, Johnson famously wrote two articles before the Brexit referendum—one supporting Leave and one backing Remain—before making the shock decision to campaign for Brexit.
The Unpublished Article That Haunts Him
In the unpublished pro-Remain article, later revealed in The Sunday Times, Johnson praised the EU’s free trade zone, writing:
“This is a market on our doorstep, ready for further exploitation by British firms. The membership fee seems rather small for all that access. Why are we so determined to turn our back on it?”
He even advised ministers to stop blaming Brussels for Britain’s woes, adding:
“If Britain left the EU, we would have to recognise that most of our problems are not caused by Brussels.”
A Long-Standing Productivity Problem
In a pre-referendum column, Johnson asked a question that’s aged like fine wine—or sour milk, depending on your perspective:
“Why are we still, person for person, so much less productive than the Germans? That’s a question more than a century old, and the answer is nothing to do with the EU.”
His conclusion? Whether in or out of the EU, Britain needed a clear vision to compete in a global economy—a vision that, post-Brexit, still seems to be in the works.
A Legacy Under Question
Johnson’s role in Brexit has undoubtedly shaped his legacy, but it seems even he might be having second thoughts about the path he chose. Whether this newfound regret will lead to anything beyond quiet reflection remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: it’s not the “sunlit uplands” many were promised.
In the meantime, Johnson is reportedly “working out how to get himself out of the mess.” Let’s hope he’s got a plan this time—preferably one with fewer articles left in draft.
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