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EU Membership Referendum: Impact on the UK
02 September 2026
Lead MP
Pete Wishart
Perth and North Perthshire
SNP
Responding Minister
Hamish Falconer
Tags
Migrants & BordersEconomyNorthern IrelandBrexitAgriculture & Rural Affairs
Word Count: 13679
Other Contributors: 28
At a Glance
Pete Wishart raised concerns about eu membership referendum: impact on the uk in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Wishart asks the Government to rejoin the EU and support a new referendum to address the economic and social issues caused by Brexit. The speaker urges the Government to consider the benefits of rejoining the European Union, even through an examination or inquiry, and to acknowledge the desire of the majority of the country to return to the EU.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Pete Wishart is concerned about the economic and social impact of the Brexit referendum, including a reduction in GDP by 2% to 8%, a decrease in productivity by 4%, and a surge in immigration to 1.47 million in the year to March 2023. He also highlights the decline in trade with the EU and the difficulties faced by sectors such as steel, hospitality, and music. Additionally, he notes the challenges in dealing with small boats crossing the channel due to the lack of EU agreements like the Dublin III regulation. The speaker is concerned about the lack of recognition or celebration for the 10-year anniversary of the UK's departure from the European Union. He notes that contributions in the debate describe the post-Brexit period as an 'unmitigated disaster'. He criticises the Conservative colleagues for dismissing the forecasts laid out in the House of Commons Library briefing and for not acknowledging the difficulties encountered in the past decade.
Andrew Lewin
LD
Richmond Park
A visa-based youth mobility scheme for 18 to 30-year-olds to travel freely between the UK and EU is in active negotiations and has public support. The number of people subject to the scheme should be ambitious, given the current low net migration rate.
Andrew Rosindell
Con
Romford
I am very confused. The hon. Gentleman seems passionate about independence for Scotland, so why does he not believe in independence for the whole United Kingdom? Andrew Rosindell argued that the UK's decision to leave the EU was necessary to reclaim sovereignty and avoid a diminishing market in Europe, pointing out that the UK under Theresa May's deal would have been half in and half out of the EU, which he considers a disaster. Mr Rosindell intervened, agreeing with Ms Smart's points but also questioning why the Conservative Government did not seize the opportunities to benefit from Brexit more effectively and whether John Major's Government should be held responsible for the Maastricht treaty, which led to political union.
Ben Goldsborough
Con
South Norfolk
The impact of leaving the EU is particularly challenging for agriculture and horticulture, with the end of free movement leading to a shortage of workers and increased costs for farmers. The new trade barriers and tariffs have disrupted trade with the EU, and there is a need for a mixed system that rewards farmers for producing food and protecting the land. The hon. Member criticises the previous Government's trade deals with Australia and New Zealand, which have undermined the sheep and cattle industry in the UK.
Bernard Jenkin
Con
Harwich and North Essex
Brexit was not an economic disaster; polls show the public prefer Westminster control of laws. The £16 billion annual gross contribution to the EU was reduced to £9.4 billion with the rebate. The small boats issue predates Brexit and the Dublin regulation was ineffective. Since Brexit, the UK has maintained similar economic growth rates to the EU. Bernard Jenkin intervened to argue that the small boat crossings had been increasing before Brexit and were not related to the referendum's outcome. Bernard Jenkin questioned how the absence of a European Scrutiny Committee would impact the scrutiny of European laws if direct applicability and direct effect of European laws were introduced.
Brian Leishman
Lab
Aberdeen South
Mr Leishman expressed frustration with politicians refusing to acknowledge why millions of working-class people voted for Brexit, arguing that places have been abandoned and communities felt desperate for change. He urged the government to raise living standards and give people hope to counter the right-wing narrative. He also discussed the impact of Brexit on Scottish Labour, suggesting the need to appeal to former supporters who now support the SNP.
Cat Eccles
Lab
Wirral West
In Stourbridge, Brierley Hill and Netherton we have been negatively impacted by the effects of the steel strategy and by measures brought in by the EU such as tariffs and quotas. If we had a closer trading relationship with the EU, constituencies like mine and likely his would be far better off. Brexit has led to higher costs, lower growth, and less influence for the UK, with trade deals failing to materialise and trade with the EU becoming slower, costlier, and more bureaucratic. The OBR estimates that UK trade will be around 15% lower than it would have been had the UK remained in the EU. The hon. Member supports the Government's efforts to rebuild the relationship with the EU, but calls for greater regulatory alignment and a pragmatic approach to trade with Europe.
Clive Jones
LD
Wokingham
Brexit has cost the Treasury billions of pounds, reduced British business profits, and created 2 billion pieces of additional paperwork for businesses. The Liberal Democrats propose a growth and defence partnership with Europe to boost jobs, incomes, and NHS investment.
Ellie Chowns
LD
North Herefordshire
Brexit has been economically, environmentally, and socially disastrous, causing a toxic political debate and weakening environmental protections. The UK needs to reset and consider rejoining the EU to strengthen co-operation with neighbours.
Gareth Bennett
Lab
Cardiff North
Gareth Bennett agrees with the immigration issues caused by Brexit and mentions the difficulties faced by the hospitality sector in his constituency due to the lack of EU workers.
Gregory Campbell
DUP
East Londonderry
Does the hon. Gentleman remember, as I do, the weeks before the referendum, when we were told amid all the scaremongering that if we voted to leave, house prices would decline by 28% and unemployment would rise? Mr Campbell highlighted an example of the negative impact of the Windsor framework on businesses, mentioning that companies selling plants and seeds in Great Britain could not supply them to Northern Ireland.
Ian Blackford
SNP
Ross, Skye and Lochaber
Ian Blackford emphasizes the impact of Brexit on various sectors in the UK, including the steel industry, and agrees that the EU is still the largest trading partner.
Ian Lucas
Lab
Wrexham
Ian Lucas agrees with the economic impact of Brexit and mentions the difficulties faced by his constituency in trade and employment due to the exit from the EU.
Over the summer I was with a constituent who, while celebrating the UK Government's recent music strategy, recognised the hon. Gentleman's point about the significant challenge of getting into Europe. Fifty-nine per cent of UK musicians say that touring in Europe has become unviable. James Naish intervened to highlight the financial burden on farmers due to the cost of health certificates for each consignment, amounting to £200.
Jayne Kirkham discussed the significant economic and social impact of EU funding in Cornwall, noting that Cornwall lost a great deal after the referendum despite promises of no negative effects. She also mentioned the challenges faced by rural communities, particularly farmers and fishermen, and the need for better trade and veterinary deals.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Jim Shannon argued that the impact of the UK leaving the EU is uncertain and that the work to achieve full Brexit is incomplete. He highlighted issues in Northern Ireland, such as the Windsor framework, the border in the Irish Sea, and the loss of veterinary medicines due to EU rules. Shannon also criticised the lack of state aid and EU interference in the UK market. There are four of us. Jim Shannon thanked the Minister for his response and inquired about the impact of the Windsor framework on Northern Ireland's trading relationship with the UK and Europe.
Joe Morris discussed the impact of Brexit on the music industry and trade deals, particularly on agriculture. He pointed out that there is now a lack of democratic input into trade deals, which disadvantaged farmers in his constituency. Morris also mentioned the inconsistency in trade protection measures, leading to the diversion of goods to the UK market from the EU.
Karl McCartney
Con
Lincoln
Karl McCartney intervened to argue that the economic impact of Brexit is a matter of debate and that the evidence from the House of Commons Library and financial institutions is compelling.
Lisa Smart
Lab
Worsley and Eccles South
Ms Smart criticised the Conservative Party for not considering the long-term impacts of the Brexit referendum, leading to seven Prime Ministers in a decade and a loss of democratic integrity. She highlighted economic challenges, including a reduction in GDP by 6% to 8%, investment by 12% to 18%, and employment and productivity each down by 3% to 4%. She also mentioned that British firms now face nearly 2 billion extra pieces of paperwork, causing significant economic strain.
My constituency has one of the busiest roll-on roll-off ports, in Holyhead. Teithiau Elfyn, a local tour company, has warned me of the serious economic impact of short-notice announcements regarding passport requirements for travel between the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
Mike Wood
Con
Dudley South
Mike Wood argued that the UK economy has grown since the Brexit referendum and that the single market did not significantly boost UK exports. He cited a Policy Exchange paper that showed UK goods exports to the EU grew by less than 1% annually over 28 years, while exports to non-EU countries grew by 87%.
Perran Moon
Lab
Falmouth and Camborne
Brexit has been a disaster for the UK, damaging the economy and society. Cornwall lost over £100 million a year in EU funding, which was crucial for economic development projects. The common-sense free trade with EU neighbours and allies has also been lost.
As secretary of the all-party parliamentary group on Germany I spend a lot of time meeting German businesses that want to invest in this country. One issue that comes up time and again is exactly the point that the hon. Gentleman has made about business mobility and persuading German boards to invest in British companies to grow the economy.
Rachael Maskell
Lab
York Central
Rachael Maskell criticised the consequences of Brexit, arguing that the country is now poorer, more divided, and facing challenges in trade and migration. She highlighted that constituents are £3,000 poorer and facing a cost-of-living crisis. She urged the government to rebuild an economic union with Europe to bring good-quality jobs and support vulnerable people through a risk-sharing approach on migration.
The hon. Member should recognise that the safest route to national security is a good relationship with our nearest allies in the EU.
Sandra Maitland
SNP
Glasgow North East
Sandra Maitland agrees with the economic impact of Brexit and mentions the significant impact on her constituency, Ynys Môn, and Wales. She endorses the statement that every part of the United Kingdom has been affected negatively by Brexit.
Seamus Logan
SNP
Coatbridge and Chryston
Yesterday, the new Prime Minister spoke of wrong turns going back as far as the 1980s. There is a wrong turn he could do something about, because the EU reset that the previous Prime Minister promised was a disaster. He gave away 12 years' access to our waters in Scotland in return for very little. The hon. Member asked if the public were misled by the information provided about Brexit, suggesting that the right-wing media may have influenced the public's perception.
Roger Gale
Con
North Thanet
Sir Roger Gale intervened to express the need for the Government to fix the issues caused by Brexit, specifically mentioning the impact on the music industry.
Steve McCabe
Lab
Birmingham Selly Oak
Steve McCabe agrees with the need to address the immigration issues caused by Brexit and emphasizes the importance of rejoining the EU for a better future.
Government Response
Hamish Falconer
Government Response
Hamish Falconer praised his predecessor for resetting the UK's relationship with the European Union and stated his intention to go even further and faster. He highlighted the challenges facing Europe in terms of security, defence, and the economy, and expressed the importance of Britain being a close partner with its European friends. Falconer confirmed that he intends to conclude an SPS deal with British farmers' interests at its heart and will work to facilitate easier export of goods such as sausages. He acknowledged the importance of the Windsor framework for Northern Ireland and expressed his commitment to maximizing the benefits for Northern Ireland. Falconer also discussed the need for closer cooperation in services trade and the facilitation of easier touring for British bands in Europe. He reassured the House that he aims to make progress within the coming months.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.