New Books in Economics Peter Foster, "What Went Wrong with Brexit? And What We Can Do about It" (Canongate, 2023)
Sep 7, 2023
Peter Foster, a Brexit expert and author, discusses the aftermath of Brexit and the economic scars it has left. He provides politically realistic solutions and insights from his book. Topics discussed include the journey of a Brexit reporter, Brexit's impact on small businesses, the political consequences, challenges of Brexit, and book recommendations.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Media Nuances on Brexit Coverage
- The Telegraph had diverse views on Brexit; not all staff were Brexiteers despite a right-leaning editorial line.
- Even within a polarized media, inconvenient Brexit truths were published when editors saw value.
The May Era Missed Brexit Chance
- Theresa May lost the chance for a less damaging Brexit due to a muddled approach and political pressures.
- The Brexit negotiation narrowed to internal Tory battles and Boris Johnson's hardline promises.
Business Was Silenced on Brexit
- Post-referendum, government mostly ignored business concerns, and businesses largely stayed silent.
- Businesses avoided lobbying because the government was ideologically committed and dismissive, e.g., Boris Johnson's 'F business' remark.