Ten Years After Brexit: Heseltine Calls Out Farage and Johnson

A decade after the Brexit referendum, Michael Heseltine criticizes Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage for their unfulfilled promises and calls for Britain to reconsider its EU exit.

As Britain marks a decade since the EU referendumthe nation finds itself at a crossroads. The initial optimism surrounding Brexit has given way to disillusionment, with prominent figures like Michael Heseltine calling for a reckoning. The former Conservative deputy prime minister has not minced words, stating that Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage should “hang their heads in shame” for the damage inflicted on the country.

The past ten years have revealed what Heseltine describes as the “bankruptcy” of the promises made by Brexit’s architects. The public, he argues, was misled in what he terms a “heinous crime.” This critique comes as new polls indicate a significant shift in public opinion, with nearly half of Britons now favoring a second referendum on EU membership.

Polling Data Reveals Shifting Sentiments

A recent study conducted by IpsosKing’s College Londonand UK in a Changing Europe paints a stark picture. The number of people who believe Brexit is going worse than expected has nearly doubled in the past five years, rising from 27% in 2026 to 48% today.

This sentiment outweighs those who feel the outcome is as good as or better than anticipated.

The poll also highlights a growing openness to reconciliation with the EU. Almost half of the respondents support a closer relationship with Europe, and 60% advocate for increased cooperation on defense. These findings suggest a significant shift in the British public’s perspective on their country’s place in the world.

The Unfulfilled Promises of Brexit

Heseltine’s criticism is rooted in the stark contrast between the promises made by Brexit campaigners and the reality that has unfolded. He questions the absence of praise from figures like Johnson, Michael GoveFarage, and Dominic Cummings for the supposed benefits of Brexit. “Never have so few done so much damage to so many with so little ability to execute what they lied about,” he writes.

The former Conservative peer accuses these leaders of walking away from their “heinous political crime” and offering feeble excuses for the unfulfilled promises of more jobs, increased trade, and greater power for Britain. He argues that the warnings of economic decline, dismissed as “Project Fear” by Brexit campaigners, have proven true. “Now ‘Project Fear’ has become ‘Project Here,'” Heseltine remarks, highlighting the stark reality of Brexit’s impact.

A Call for Rejoining the EU

Heseltine’s intervention comes as part of The Independent‘s Europe – The Way Back campaign. He argues that Brexit has been a “self-imposed disaster” that has erected barriers between British industries and their largest market. The former deputy prime minister calls for Britain to reclaim its traditional role as a major European nation and rejoin the EU.

“We should do so in the interests of growing generations of our young people,” Heseltine states. “We should do it in our interests as a nation-state with limited resources. As a European partner, we can compete with the world’s largest economies.”

The political landscape, however, remains hesitant. The fear of the extreme right acts as a ball and chain on the political classes, preventing decisive action towards reintegration with the EU. Heseltine’s call for a return to Europe reflects a growing sentiment among the British public, but the path forward remains uncertain.

As Britain reflects on the past decade, the debate over Brexit’s success or failure continues to evolve. With shifting public opinion and the weight of unfulfilled promises, the nation stands at a critical juncture, grappling with the consequences of a decision that has reshaped its future.