Sunday 25th of November, 2018 saw the United Kingdom move yet one step closer towards Brexit following on from 18 months of negotiations. Theresa May stated that she ‘believes with every fibre of her being’ that her deal is the right one for Britain. The European Commissioner President Jean-Claude Junker, stated, that it was a sad day yet reiterated that this is ‘the only deal possible’.
The Prime Minister made a direct appeal to the public on Sunday, in 'a Letter to the Nation' saying she wished to speak directly to the British people ‘highlighting the end to free movement of people once and for all’ and the extra resources she plans to devote to the NHS. Addressing some of the main issues that the Leave campaign was fought upon.
‘ We can back this deal, deliver on the vote of the referendum and move on to building a brighter better future of opportunity and prosperity for all of our people’ (Theresa May, 2018).
If the Prime Minister is unable to secure approval for the deal from the House of Commons, there will be no further negotiations. Other European leaders expressed their regret and disappointment stating ‘There could be no perfect solution to Brexit, which is fundamentally wrong in our opinion’ (Katja Leikert), and David McAllistar calling Brexit ‘an historical mistake with heavy consequences for the UK’.
President Junker commented on the Eurosceptic media coverage in Britain,
Highlighting the fact that for almost 40 years prior to the Referendum campaign, the British people have been constantly exposed to Euro-sceptic media coverage. There has been a continuous failure to communicate and promote the positive benefits derived from membership of the European Union.
It must be acknowledged that the long term impact of critical media coverage, and sceptical anti EU politicians, impacted on the authenticity and credibility of the ‘Remain Campaign’, or ‘Project Fear’ as it came to be known. Concern over issues such as immigration played on people’s fears, leading to the rise in support for populist values, specifically amongst low class, low skilled workers who have minimal job security’. It has become more apparent that political parties and politicians, fail to reflect the values and beliefs of those who they are elected to represent.