The EU debate opening the door for Reform is wishful thinking on Nigel Farage’s part - Yorkshire Post Letters

From: Peter Brown, Cleckheaton.

Is it naivety or wishful thinking that leads Nigel Farage to believe Andy Burnham has “opened the door to Reform” by raising the issue of Brexit (The Yorkshire Post, October 2)?

Mr Farage accuses the Prime Minister of “making a very big political mistake” by promising to draw up options to improve relations with the European Union – including the possibility of rejoining.

When reminded that most of us already support rejoining, Mr Farage claimed that would change once “costs and other implications” are known. Shame he wasn’t saying that 10 years ago.

None of us – including the charlatans selling it – knew Brexit's true costs. Supporters were told to put their faith in people like Mr Farage and Boris Johnson, and give them the benefit of the doubt.

Mr Johnson admitted in a recent BBC documentary: “We didn’t have a plan for what to do next. We didn’t think it was our job to have a plan.”

Three years ago, Mr Farage also admitted on the BBC: “Brexit has failed. We’ve not delivered on borders, we’ve not delivered on Brexit. The Tories have let us down very, very badly.”

With him, everything is always somebody else’s fault. Ironic, given how many of those same failed Tory Brexit architects have now been recruited by Reform UK.

Many Leave voters understandably feel betrayed – by him, amongst others. Already, around one in four supports rejoining. Once the spell is broken, what does Mr Farage think he can possibly say to win them back and prevent us rejoining?

Ten years ago, there were no plans. Yet there were endless promises: £350m a week for the NHS, controlled migration, a soft Brexit resembling “rich, happy, self-governing” Norway and Switzerland, a fabulous “we hold all the cards” EU trade deal, and fantastic new ones elsewhere.

Today, we know the costs. Brexit is widely considered a disaster: by six to one, voters believe it has been more of a failure than a success, YouGov found.

Why does Mr Farage think he is entitled to a second chance, when all he offers is a continued slide into an even poorer, divided, and isolated country? Anyone more cynical might wonder whether this self-styled ‘man of the people’ is simply chasing another £5m ‘Brexit bonus’ from a rich, overseas friend.