UK’s Rishi Sunak hails Brexit as ‘huge opportunity’, 3 years on
- Tuesday marks the third anniversary of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union
- Recent polling suggests growing unhappiness in Britain with the way Brexit turned out
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak defended Brexit, insisting that leaving the EU had brought significant achievements and offered a “huge opportunity”, three years after the withdrawal agreement entered force.
“In the three years since leaving the EU, we’ve made huge strides in harnessing the freedoms unlocked by Brexit to tackle generational challenges,” Sunak said in a statement ahead of Tuesday’s three-year anniversary since the country formally left the EU.
He said Brexit was a “huge opportunity to deliver” on his priorities on growth, employment and social mobility.
The prime minister – who will also mark 100 days in office this week – said the UK had “forged a path as an independent nation with confidence” and “that momentum hasn’t slowed”.
He said this included Europe’s fastest vaccine roll-out, trade deals with 70 countries and “taking back control of our borders”.
The statement came as Sunak faces numerous challenges, with thousands of UK workers launching waves of strike action over pay outpaced by soaring inflation as the cost-of-living crisis hits millions.