The LBC callers who regret their Brexit vote 

It's strange how people say this isn't the Brexit they voted for, because it's exactly the Brexit I voted against.

"I'm a Daily Mail reader" - words to send chills down anyone's spine.

My utmost respect to the lady caller at the start for her absolute honesty on why she reads the Daily Mail. Genuinely. If we were all more honest and less proud, we could speak a lot more openly about topics that concern us all.

I didn’t see Brexit coming, but I saw something coming…. way back in the late 90s, the toxicity of British politics and most of its media had me downright scared. So I moved to NZ. Zero regrets.

I just can’t fathom how anyone could think Rees Mogg had the everyday man’s interest at heart. It was ridiculous.

I voted brexit and i have the guts to admit it didn't work. Others are still lying to themselves.

Scotland has been trying to leave this toxic union. We were dragged out of the EU against our democratic vote. It is for that reason that we must leave the union.

"I never thought the leopards would eat *MY* face!" Cried the lady who voted for the "leopards eating people's faces party."

I voted remain whilst studying for my PhD. When it turned out we were leaving I cried the whole day. From a purely selfish perspective, most of the science funding was from the European union. Once I got my PhD I left and went to Canada. I miss home and would like to come back, but seeing how much worse things are getting day by day I couldn’t imagine coming back, and I truly feel sorry for people that don’t have the means to escape the horrible situation Covid, Brexit and government incompetence has forced on them…

The woman who admitted she'd been gaslighted was wonderful, very sad but she was so clear about how it all went so wrong.

I remember I was a Brit living in Shanghai at the time of the vote. All of my Chinese friends were shocked that the British voted to change a situation that was obviously working very well for them. Most found it totally incomprehensible. So did I!

Murdoch. One word, destroyer of worlds and democracies around the world. Murdoch.

Someone admitting that they were simply wrong about a charged political issue is pretty remarkable in this day and age unfortunately, so I salute any Brexit voter who is willing to do so. Hopefully the stupidity can be overturned some day soon.

Remain voter here. Respect to anyone who has the courage to accept a degree of responsibility and admit that they may have made a mistake. The ability to recognise that the ship is off course is our only hope of steering it back in the right direction.

I remember the day after the vote, so, so gutted and angry going to my sons sports day and having to grit my teeth and tolerate the crowing and delight of most of the parents there and thinking how pathetic all of them were and they will come to regret their stupidity, I have been proven right but it is so depressing.

“I blame myself.” I blame you too.

The media doesn't have this countries best interest at heart.

The lady is blaming everything and the kitchen sink for brexit except for the person responsible for it in her life. Herself.

I’m an American who lived in LDN for a few years a decade ago…watching Brexit and its aftermath from the US has been maddening and chastening - I have to thk that when I next visit the UK it will no longer feel like the very center of the world like it did post the 2012 Cool Britannia phase…it’s sad…

The irony being that she thinks she understands the Daily Mail but if she truly did she would never read it....

The Daily Mail mantra: "Feed them a little bit of hate every day."

My family all voted remain. Are we super intelligent economic professors? No. We all thought an Irish border was a huge problem, with no answer. To have a government risk a return to domestic terrorism is unforgivable.... quite aside from from all the economic and reputation damage we've inflicted on ourselves.

As these people voted to take away my rights on my own continent that I was literally born with, against my will, I find it really difficult to feel anything but contempt for these people. Even though they regret it.

I used to have a lot of hatred for the people that voted to leave but hearing these callers just makes me really sad for what the people in power have done to the people of this country :(

When did these people first realise they were being taken for fools? Was it when it turned out the "£350 million extra per week for the NHS" turned out to be a lie, or when Rees-Mogg told them fish were happy to have British passports?

"I'm a daily mail reader" there in lies the problem

No James, people who voted for Brexit should be blamed. Wilful ignorance/stupidity is not an excuse.

There seem to be two types of regretful leave voter: 1. "I honestly believed _everyone_ would be better off." 2. "I honestly believed it would only negatively affect people who _weren't_ me." And it never ceases to amaze me how the second group genuinely believes it is morally equivalent to the first and deserves the same treatment.

This is great. We are hearing the voices of actual voters! Please please keep on posting videos like this. There are many who need to hear this over and over again. Thanks James

My work colleagues hate me saying “I told you so “ how disingenuous can you get?

Didn't vote brexit, didn't vote tory in 2019. No sympathy for anyone that's suffering as a result of those choices nobody to blame but yourselves.

You know what hurts? When in 2016 I knew they will eventually realize - and only then they will look at it closely, once the results show up, only then they will see what it really is, but somehow some of us saw it from the very beginning. How come? Me and all my friends immediately knew it was a scam.

Every Remainer watching this is saying Told Ya So.

I openly admit i fell for the lies and propaganda! Which I am ashamed of! One of the biggest regrets of my life is that I voted leave if i ever get the chance in my life time i will vote return!

The 'fault' is that a major decision, as complex as this, should have never been cast open to a vote by the UK Electorate. It was far too difficult for the average voter, given the level of education in the country, to make a truly informed decision. Therefore, it was open to massive manipulation. Therefore, the blame must ultimately lie firmly and squarely at DAVID CAMERON'S feet who allowed a Referendum....for the progression his own political career ! And where is he now?!

James, I like the 2 person who says "I'd like a door to be open in Brussels". The door is open but the recent UK government keep on building hurdles, walls, diverging legislation, etc. So the problem is NOT in Brussels but with the UK governements since YEARS 2016 or even before).

I've just caught a glimpse of your impressive mug. The one you drink from, not with... I was a nurse in the UK, voted remain and could not believe leavers couldn't see what was coming. I was called delusional, unpatriotic and many other things. A year later I retired early and moved (alone) to Portugal while I still could. Moving abroad when I finally retired had been on my mind for a while because I knew I couldn't survive in the UK on my NHS pension. I went several years earlier than planned while I still could. It's the best decision I ever made and I can live reasonably well here. The general opinion from the locals and the numerous immigrants from Europe, Canada, U.S etc. is the UK is a mess and nothing short of a laughing stock. That said, there are UK citizens here that voted leave and moan endlessly abut the inevitable changes that are making their lives here that more difficult. Incredible.

The UK had the best deal from the EU when it was a member, kept the pound, not in Schengen, rebate on the yearly fee (thanks to Thatcher)... I think it will be a long time before UK re-joined the EU, unfortunately.

Before the Brexit referendum I remember watching a Parliamentary debate on television where Boris Johnson stood up and said it would be economical disaster if Britain left the EU. I was shocked therefore that he was at the forefront of of the ‘leave’ campaign. He was a liar and deceiver then which eventually caused his downfall.

I'm not sure I will ever forgive brexshitters anyone who has a brain cell knew how awful it would be

As one caller said, a referendum on such a major issue should not have been decided on such a slim majority. I think we were conned: I seem to remember that it was an advisory referendum, but the government then decided that it would be undemocratic not to act on the result. If it had been tagged as binding from the start, I expect a certain majority would have been required. To effect such a major constitutional change on that mandate was the undemocratic move. People voted for Brexit without any idea what that Brexit would look like. Which is why they are still arguing over it.

But I thought they all knew exactly what they were voting for?

My friends were mostly remainers, my family mostly leavers. I researched both sides for ages and ended up more confused. What I wanted, which was to stay in a reformed EU, was not on the ballot. I abstained from voting for the first time in my life. Thats my regret. Should have gone with my gut. Thanks James.

I am loving to see that Julie had the courage to go on the radio and say how it is in her community. I hope this caller has resonated with others because of her refreshing honesty as she has resonated with me.

The feeling is mutual, callers - believe me.

So tell us Brexiteers did you finally "Get your Country back?" Ya know the one you never lost in the first place. 🤣

"Divide and rule"..it's the oldest trick in the book!

i been watching brexit from Sweden all along, i saw the likeness between MAG and Brexit from start. Use peoples frustration with anything and redirect that anger to any agenda. EU is not perfect in any way, but blaming it for long term internal politics in UK was fairly sad. I really hope that UK get its problems sorted out and rejoin Europe politics and market in some way. We need each other to solve all kinds of problems on Earth. Best wishes from Sweden.

It takes guts to admit your mistakes. Better late than never! Well done

Why didn't they take heed of all the credible warnings about leaving and why oh why did they trust anything a tory said?

My wife and I are middle-aged Americans and we knew that Brexit was going to be bad for England. But as an American I can hardly complain where we have millions of people who still think Donald Trump is somehow the Savior? In both cases the information is out there but people really have to want to find it.

"I like the daily mail because it's easy to read." Well. They know their readership.

For me, people who voted for Brexit solely on the immigration issue were the ones truly duped because that was only ever going to become a bigger problem when we exited Europe and it's rules.

We should blame the media and the government for this. Not turn on each other the media and government want us to!

Regardless of people who regret Brexit now, their single vote. Caused Brexit in the overall, so no. I do not forgive any of them. They had ample opportunity to conduct their due diligence like us "Remoaners", had access to the same information as us, the same sources and the same base-level stream of neurons within their brain. So no, we should not, and must not forgive them. If we forgive it happens again, and again, and again.

When I went to vote in the referendum, I didn’t know which way to vote. So I spent a while with Google. I tried to find arguments both for and against leaving. I worked in shipping before we were in the single market, so have some idea of the complete nightmare involved in international shipping. For instance, Kroner’s guide to shipping was a complete list of all required requirements for shipping to other countries. It was several volumes, each over 1000 pages long, which was updated monthly (usually each update was a hundred pages or so). The single market effectively removed all the documentation for our eu neighbours and made shipping to Europe pretty much a case of “Load up a lorry, stick It on a ship and go”. Looking at the evidence I had available, I concluded that remain was the right choice. That said, I’ve always tried to respect the rights of others to vote differently than I do.

If only there had been some kind of national campaign to warn these people about the consequences of leaving the EU, which are actually happening now.

Love you James, you're so sweet and kind and understanding, I wish I could be more like you, my righteous indignation makes me vengeful and frankly vicious.

I don’t think the UK should be allowed to rejoin the EU for another 25 years!

That second caller is extremely insightful, opened my eyes a little which is a surprise. We all have something to learn and should keep an open mind.

Whenever a tory minister is involved in scandal it never makes the front page of the daily mail strange that isn't it

I’m from Spain. I love UK and I would love to have you in the EU again. I understood the reasons of some brexiters for leaving Europe because the EU laws and goverment are not perfect but I felt and I stil feel very sad about your exit. I used to travel a lot to the UK before the Brexit because I really love your beautiful countryside and your beautiful villages but in some way I don’t feel welcome anymore. And it’s a little painful. My grandparents lived and woked in UK for 5 years and they were very grateful for that experience. I love and respect your idyosincrasy and I would love to have you again as EU partners respecting everyone particularities.

Brexit today in Scotland is seen by most people, at least the majority of the ones I have spoken to, as typical of how Westminster treats Scotland in general, with utter disdain till they need our vote. As a lifelong Labour voter and one-time Labour activist, I voted against Brexit and against Scottish independence, I now think I may have made a mistake voting for one, and it was not Brexit.

Oh. Wasnt I told, that all these people knew, what they voted for? I am shocked. Shocked. If only someone would have warned....oh wait.

There was one surprise for us, continentals: the outcome of your vote in 2016. All the rest that came after was obvious. What we, still, cannot comprehend here is how poissenous brittish media realy are. And why brittish people, still, do not look around to know more.

If that woman understood the daily mail & its aims then why on earth would she continue to read it??

She was gaslighted relentlessly by the media, is a daily mail reader but its OK because she understands the gaslighting language they use....voted for Brexit regardless 🙄 I can't with these people

Whilst it's a shame that these people fell for all the lies or actively chose to ignore the truth, there is nothing wrong with these people admitting that they regret their decision and that they were wrong. Admitting that there is a problem is the first step on the road to everyone actually accepting that the issues exist and (hopefully) working towards a solution. Personally, I would prefer that we rejoin the EU, but I'll be very surprised if any future Governments of ours actually instigate this.

Nice to see people are waking up to the truth! Burnt bridges can be (and should be) rebuilt!

Oof. This one hurts. Because she’s clearly smart enough to know that she wasn’t being smart, but apparently couldn’t see it when it mattered. I appreciate that she’s not doubling down and can recognise a mistake… but that mistake has pretty HUGE consequences, so it’s hard not to be at least a little irate

This should never have happened at all. Brexit is the downfall of the UK. My mother, now 84 years old voted to remain. She voted the young people and their future. Now they have none. I moved away from the UK in the 80s and I am glad that my children live and do well in Sweden.

The "Murdoch Media Paradox" The fact that Daily Mail Readers "Can read"

Bregret came earlier then I expected!

Judy: “after the vote turned out the way it did, people were very mean to those who voted for Brexit.” - Yes, because they told you how it would turn out, and you didn’t listen. Now you’re upset because they were right.

The EU will never allow the UK back in. A unanimous vote of 27 members is required. That will never happen.

All jokes aside, England is in trouble .

One of the few positive things I've heard about the UK recently is that more and more people are brave enough to admit that they made a mistake in 2016.

The EU thanks you for your service! Thank you for ridding us of Britain.

I disagree with the caller & I would vote to join the Euro currency tomorrow. I don't believe our media, politicians, education or electoral system was equipped for what it takes to be in the EU. I think we need to undergo a lot changes before we join. First with our unfair voting system.

You know what, credit where credit is due, that woman said that she understands the language and finds the lack of pay wall simple. It actually takes a lot to admit you might not be smart enough to understand other sides of the argument. As James says, she doesn't sound like it, but it's a significant factor to admit it yourself. Fair play, Julie. I might not agree with why you did it, but I can understand why you did it.

Still believe it was partly the delusion of Brutish/English exceptionality. If I was the EU I'd wait on any new deal until the UK breaks up .

Always a pleasure to listen to you James!

Few days ago due to weather I thought I want to go away from UK and live somewhere else So decided to look for countries I could go and work without getting a work Visa Before Brexit I could have gone to 41 countries Now I found Gibraltar, Belize 🇧🇿, Isle of Man 🇮🇲 and ireland 🇮🇪 Are my only options For people who voted brexit to get rid of brown people lol I’m one brown guy due to brexit I’m stuck in UK

There was no gaslighting, they told you exactly what your xenophobic ears wanted to hear. Gave you a ideology to support. Brexiteers can waffle on about sovereignty but the bottom line is it was the fear of borderless immigration that scared the logic and reason from their thought processes and replaced them with bigotry and rascism.

I can't believe it!! He found the introspective ones he's been looking for!

I wish people would stop using the word gaslight when they mean lie. They are different things.

We lived in France for 23 years (pre EU) and i am an international european tanker driver but i did'nt have the right to vote because i've lived outside the UK for more than 15 years. My kids grew up in France then my eldest went back to the UK and voted for brexit to get the foeigners out. My son went back for 5 years, voted brexit then came back to France. Our elder generation voted for brexit to keep thier independance from the EU. They've had thier life, never leave the UK or have any dealings with the EU. That is a sad reality of the brexit vote. For me the single currancy, only border controls for Switzerland and the funniest free health care with the EU medical card within the EU. Did'nt you used to buy holiday health care for EU holidays?

Always welcome back in my book. Greetings from the west coast of Ireland 🇮🇪

Conned and they know it.

The honesty of the second caller blew me away.

The Daily Mail I have such anger for.

Odd how England and Wales voted leave yet NI and Scotland didn't. Same media in general.

I blame them too. They should have learned to think for themselves and see through the BS, I did and so voted remain and I'm just a council estate lad of the lumpen proletariat who left school with no qualifications.

I'm not having it, they knew exactly wheat they were voting for. They were constantly told what would happen before the referendum, but chose to ignore it and it's all coming true

Radical Idea here....Stop reading The Daily Mail. 🙄

"Turds in a swimming pool" Love it.

Three years after Brexit, the British are still waiting for the benefits. Greetings from the Netherlands

It's going to be joyous to come back to this.

Thankfully people start realising and learning the reality of media's doctrine. It's a shame people were swayed in the beginning. It's pleasant to see and here those with courage to admit to their shortcomings or mistakes. What matters now is too share massively that reality for everyone to realise what truly is supporting life and what is making evil thrive on everyone else's suffering.

Maybe you've already covered this: Who is actually benefiting from Brexit? Surely there must be some. Tax avoiders? Businesses that want less regulation? Serious question.