Ex-Chief Negotiator Says UK’s Exit from the EU Has Breathed New Life into Politics
Brexit has “revived” British politics and is healing the UK’s democracy, according to former Brexit negotiator Lord Frost. In comments made during a House of Lords debate, Lord Frost argued that leaving the EU allowed the UK to re-energise its political system by enabling debates and decisions to be made at home, rather than being dictated by Brussels.
Lord Frost praised Brexit for giving Britain the chance to reconsider policies across various sectors, from trade to immigration, that had been largely beyond national control during EU membership. He suggested that, despite ongoing challenges, the country is in a better position to influence its future.
However, he expressed dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Windsor Framework, claiming it did not fully restore the benefits of Brexit, which he argued should apply to all aspects of British governance. Frost also defended populist politics, stating that it accurately reflects the views of the electorate and is an important aspect of the UK’s rejuvenated democracy.
The debate was sparked by Green Party’s Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb, who had strongly criticised the government, drawing comparisons with the rise of the Nazi Party in the 1930s. Lord Frost disagreed with her assessment, defending the current state of UK democracy and stressing that the country had regained control over its decisions.
Lord Frost’s remarks highlight his belief in Brexit’s positive impact on the democratic process, positioning it as a necessary step for restoring sovereignty and political engagement.
