Description
Book Synopsis'Punchy, pithy and short.' – POLLY TOYNBEE, GUARDIAN COLUMNIST
'In an ideal world every citizen would read this essential book, and think hard.' – PROFESSOR AC GRAYLING, ACADEMIC
The broadcaster and journalist Gavin Esler reveals the long-lasting impact of the most momentous change in Britain for decades. In seven succinct chapters, he charts the profound changes brought about by leaving the European Union on key areas of life in the United Kingdom:
Food and diet
Health and the NHS
Jobs and industry
Education
Travel to Europe
From the food markets of Kent to NHS operating theatres to the boardrooms of big employers, Brexit is packed with surprises. And Brexit Without the Bullshit is not about the Brexit you were told you were getting: it's about the one we're actually getting.
From the author of How Britain Ends and Britain is Better Than This, this is the ideal accompaniment to books on Brexit such as the Fintan O'Toole's Brexit Chronicles and Michel Barner's Secret Brexit Diaries.
Instead of concentrating on the Brexit referendum campaign, it uncovers the fundamental changes caused by Brexit - and what they mean for ordinary life.
REVIEWS
'If you want a pithy, sober, clear-headed summary of what Brexit is actually likely to look like, @gavinesler’s new book is spot on. Such a welcome antidote to all the whipped up sentiment - calm, factual, rigorous.'
– DR RACHEL CLARKE, NHS DOCTOR AND CAMPAIGNER
'Esler provides the evidence of what Brexit has already done to Britain and the harm that it s causing and will cause, in particular to the poorest in our society. A guide for all who want to understand what Brexit really means.'
– JESSICA SIMOR QC
'A brilliant demolition of the lies and liars that created the Brexit mess. Should be required reading at his old stamping ground, the BBC.'
– ALASTAIR CAMPBELL, WRITER AND BROADCASTER
WHY I WROTE THIS BOOK - BY GAVIN ESLER
In 2016 I did something I had never done before. I voted in the Brexit referendum without knowing what I was voting for or against. No one explained to me - or you - what Brexit would mean for our lives. Whether you voted Leave or Remain, we did not know the facts about Brexit, how it would affect our jobs, food, schools, universities, the NHS, our families, pets, travel arrangements, and even the supposed unity of the United Kingdom. In the years since the Brexit vote, the British government has continued to fail to explain the facts about Brexit, and so I decided to find out for myself. The result is my latest book, “Brexit Without The Bullshit.”
At first I thought that if Brexit were stripped of the bullshit — lies and deceit, scare stories and fantasies — there would be nothing left. But the facts about Brexit are so stark, there’s plenty to discuss and think about. The key fact is this: Brexit is not an event. It is a process. Whether it happens or not, whatever version of leaving the EU we end up with, we will be forced to discuss Brexit for years to come. If we are to survive and perhaps thrive, we need to start with the facts.
Gavin Esler
CONTENTS
Introduction
Chapter 1. Brexit & Our Food
Chapter 2. Brexit, Our Health & the NHS
Chapter 3. Brexit, Our Money & Our Jobs
Chapter 4. Brexit & Our Children’s Education
Chapter 5. Brexit & Travel
Chapter 6. Brexit & Our Country
Chapter 7. A No Deal Brexit
The Boring Bits: Glossary and Endnotes
Trade Review'Esler lays out with stark clarity the effects a Brexit will have on every significant aspect of our lives. In an ideal world every citizen would read this essential book, and think hard. This is the clearest, most uncompromising and most valuable statement of the facts available; and it could save us from a disastrous mistake.'
– PROFESSOR AC GRAYLING, ACADEMIC
'Here's the really useful book: Brexit Without Bullshit by Gavin Esler. Everything a good Remainer needs to persuade the Brexiters, punchy, pithy and short.'
– POLLY TOYNBEE, GUARDIAN COLUMNIST
'If you want a pithy, sober, clear-headed summary of what Brexit is actually likely to look like, @gavinesler’s new book is spot on. Such a welcome antidote to all the whipped up sentiment - calm, factual, rigorous.'
– DR RACHEL CLARKE, NHS DOCTOR AND CAMPAIGNER
'In this timely and incisive book, Gavin Esler dispels the myth that delivering a Brexit deal, or no deal, would bring an 'end' to Brexit. On the contrary, on everything from trade negotiations to decisions over our food standards and public services, getting Brexit 'over the line' would be just the start.'
– FRANCIS GROVE WHITE, PEOPLES VOTE CAMPAIGN
'Esler provides the evidence of what Brexit has already done to Britain and the harm that it s causing and will cause, in particular to the poorest in our society. A guide for all who want to understand what Brexit really means.'
– JESSICA SIMOR QC
'A brilliant demolition of the lies and liars that created the Brexit mess. Should be required reading at his old stamping ground, the BBC.'
– ALASTAIR CAMPBELL, WRITER AND BROADCASTER
Table of ContentsTABLE OF CONTENTS. Introduction. 1. Brexit & Our Food Chapter. 2. Brexit, Our Health & the NHS. 3. Brexit, Our Money & Our Jobs. 4. Brexit & Our Children’s Education. 5. Brexit & Travel. 6. Brexit & Our Country. 7. A No Deal Brexit. The Boring Bits: Glossary and Endnotes
INTRODUCTION. What is Brexit really going to look like? After 50 years of Britain arguing about Europe, what does leaving the European Union mean for you, me, our families, children, jobs, health care, and our daily lives? Shorn of the posturing and the promises, what are the profound changes ahead?
1. BREXIT & OUR FOOD. The scene at a market in Deal, Kent. Brexit means fewer EU workers from Eastern Europe to pick fruit and vegetables, potentially forcing crop changes and higher prices. Fewer vets for animal health inspections. Trucking EU food to UK will cost more, increasing food inflation
2. BREXIT & THE NHS. Foreign nationals, many from the EU, staff an understaffed health service. Despite the slogan on Vote Leave's Brexit battlebus, quitting the EU will shrink the economy, leaving less money for the NHS. The US will want to sell costlier drugs in return for a US-UK trade deal
3. BREXIT, OUR JOBS & OUR MONEY. Despite lay-offs at EU-facing manufacturers such as Jaguar Land Rover, Nissan and Honda, the labour market has remained tight. However not being in the EU is likely to stymy growth, and financial services will suffer a slow loss of income
4. BREXIT & OUR CHILDREN’S EDUCATION. Brexit will lead to fewer EU teachers in schools, potentially exacerbating shortfalls in science and maths. Productive freedom of movement for brains will decline – for EU lecturers to come to the UK and vice-versa. The end of Erasmus will stunt student experiences
5. BREXIT & TRAVEL. How Brexit changes immigration rules, visas, passport queues, flying to the Continent, coach trips, health insurance such as EHICS cards, driving abroad, mobile phone charges and an issue of great importance for British people: pet passports.
6. BREXIT & OUR COUNTRY. What happens to the United Kingdom after Brexit? English nationalism has sparked an upsurge of patriotic and nationalist feeling in Wales and Northern, to join the already strong independence movement in Scotland. 'We live in an increasingly dis-United Kingdom'
7. A NO DEAL BREXIT. In the event of the UK and the EU being unable to agree on their relationship after Britain's withdrawal, what would falling back on WTO terms mean for UK people and businesses?
JARGON & THE BORING STUFF. Brexit glossary. European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), European Free Trade Association (EFTA), The Single Market, Customs Union, World Trade Organisation (WTO), The Backstop, Schengen Area
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. Ian Dunt, Alex Andreou, the Remaniacs Podcast, 16 Million Rising, the activists at SODEM, Steve Bray, Barbara Want, the People’s Vote campaigners, Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair, Tom Baldwin, Carole Tongue, Alex Deane, Chuka Umunna, Chris Leslie, Heidi Allen, Dr Sarah Wollaston
ENDNOTES. Full list of references with hyperlinks for sources about Brexit, including government statistics, newspaper articles, think tank reports, industry body policy statements
