OPINION – Brexit’s lingering shadow: Europe’s missed opportunity and the urgency of now

For years, Brexit was portrayed as a British story — a narrative of sovereignty, economic promises and political upheaval. Yet its most enduring impact has been on the European Union itself, not in economic terms, but in the symbolic and political void it has left behind.

The EU’s hesitant, lenient response, which failed to seize the moment, has emboldened populism, wasted precious time and left Europe vulnerable to external threats. Now, in the face of Russia’s aggression and the prospect of Donald Trump’s return, Europe must move beyond the posturing of Brexit and take action.

The Paradox of British Soft Power in the EU

The UK’s departure was supposed to liberate the EU from British obstructionism, allowing ambitious projects in defence, industry, and redistribution to move forward. Instead, the EU found itself ensnared in a paradox: while the UK’s political influence waned, its cultural and linguistic soft power persisted.

English remains the EU’s dominant working language, not just for practicality, but because it has become a default—a lingua franca adopted with enthusiasm by Eurocrats, who often mimic British stylistic quirks, even as post-Brexit realities diverge from the idealised image. European media, too, remains heavily influenced by Anglo-Saxon perspectives, with outlets like The Economist shaping debates on liberalism and globalisation.

This persistence of British influence has created a cognitive dissonance. The EU has struggled to fully “move on,” even as it grapples with the practical consequences of the UK’s departure. The result? A continent that has wasted years tergiversating, only to find itself now forced into cooperation on the most costly and unpopular of policies: defence and armament.

The Cost of EU Hesitation

The EU’s failure to capitalise on Brexit’s disruption is stark. There was no bold reimagining of Europe’s future, no “grand soir” of ambitious reform. Instead, the continent became mired in internal divisions, its attention diverted by the UK’s lingering presence and the rise of far-right movements that drew partial inspiration from Brexit’s anti-EU rhetoric. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed this inertia: while British leaders performed symbolic gestures, Europe struggled to project unity or purpose.

The dual shocks of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Trump’s return to the White House have forced a reckoning. The UK, once a divisive force, now finds itself drawn back into European defence discussion —not out of nostalgia, but necessity. The EU, for its part, must abandon the symbolic battles of Brexit and focus on concrete cooperation. The alternative is a Europe at the mercy of external powers, its unity fractured by the very divisions Brexit was supposed to resolve.

As one analyst noted, “The message from London was clear: Europe refuses to be a bystander while Washington dictates Ukraine’s fate. For the United Kingdom, this is a key post-Brexit moment with a lead role in shaping European resolve.” The irony is stark. Brexit, once sold as an act of liberation, has instead revealed the depth of Europe’s interdependence—and the urgency of its collective action.

Beyond Brexit: A Test for EU’s Future

Brexit was never just about the UK. It was a test of the EU’s resilience, its ability to adapt, and its willingness to assert its own narrative. The EU’s response—marked by leniency, inertia, and a failure to confront populism—has left it weaker, not stronger. Now, faced with existential threats, Europe must move beyond the symbols and postures of Brexit. It must reclaim its agency, not as a reaction to the UK, but as a project for its own future.

The challenges ahead—climate change, economic instability, political fragmentation, and migration—are greater than ever. Yet, as George Kennan once argued of Russia for the US, the real test for Europe is not external, but internal. Will it rise to the occasion, or will it be undone by the divisions it has struggled to overcome? The answer will define not just the continent, but the world.