How a Citizens’ Assembly Could Restart Britain’s European Future

By Talk2EU Contributors - August 2025

There is overwhelming evidence that Brexit has contributed to the UK’s economic challenges, including inflation and trade disruption. Yet the government remains unwilling, or even avoids speaking about the “EU” (12).

However, public opinion is shifting, and younger generations are approaching voting age, demanding more opportunity and openness, and there’s a chance to restart the conversation.

Is there one way forward? We think so, using a citizens’ assembly. A citizens' assembly would put real people, not politicians, at the heart of deciding how Britain reconnects with Europe.

The UK formally left the EU in 2020, and the effects of this decision have piled up in the background of everyday life. For example, many families have felt the pinch: a typical UK family’s grocery bill rose by around 12% in two years, especially for fresh fruit, vegetables, and dairy. Local farmers (and businesses generally) have reported export delays and paperwork hassles directly linked to Brexit (1,4).

A Federation of Small Businesses reported that trade to most export markets dropped by 30%. Also, 14% of firms that exported to the EU before January 2021 subsequently stopped sending goods to the bloc (2).

This reflects a trend for UK Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which are facing new trade barriers since Brexit (3).

On top of that economic disruption, we have thousands of British students and researchers lost access to key EU programs like Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe, limiting study abroad opportunities and research funding. The UK has rejoined Horizon (9), but UK universities still report drops in EU students as a direct result of leaving Erasmus (10).

Overall, Brexit’s economic toll is staggering and also underreported. One such recent analysis estimated that the UK’s economy is around £100 billion worse off each year due to lost trade, investment, and productivity (5).

Yet, despite these impacts, political leaders avoid discussing the EU directly. It’s become such a taboo topic in much of the media and Parliament. There was a Times poll recently, which showed only 29% would vote Leave if given the choice today (6). It is not good reading for Brexit.

So how does the government move forward without reigniting divisions of the past?

One promising solution is a citizens’ assembly on the UK–EU relationship. This involves a representative group of citizens selected totally at random. They hear expert evidence, deliberate respectfully, and make recommendations moving forward (7).

Ireland’s experience with citizens’ assemblies offers a powerful example (8). They helped the public navigate those complex and divisive issues by fostering calm, credible conversation and deliberation. This process builds trust in democracy and informed decision-making, way beyond party politics.

In the UK’s case, a citizens’ assembly could help break the political stalemate and silence on Europe. By creating a space for evidence-based, inclusive dialogue and meaningful conversations.

Here’s a five-step path that could benefit the country.

1. Declare a public review of the UK–EU relationship. A review that is grounded in data, and not just emotion and personal opinions.

2. Restore youth and research programs like Erasmus+ to reconnect Britain’s future generations and expand opportunities in the UK and Europe.

3. Prioritise the economy by exploring frictionless trade options, like the Single Market access within Europe, or regulatory alignment.

4. Launch an independent commission to evaluate impacts and policy options transparently.

5. Create a citizens’ assembly to empower ordinary people in shaping the next chapters of UK–EU relations.

Conclusion

It’s time to break that taboo, and do so by talking openly, in public conversation, using empathy, honesty, and democratic integrity.

It's important that we don’t reignite old battle grounds, but we can do this by listening, learning, and leading together.

Let the public speak. Let the evidence lead the way.

Let’s work towards rejoining Europe.

If this blog post resonates with you, join the conversation:

Comment on this blog post, share your experience or thoughts on Brexit’s impact and the UK's relationship with Europe in the future.

Share this post with your friends, your family, and social networks to help break that silence.

You could also write to your MP and ask them to support a citizens’ assembly on the UK–EU relationship (11).

Democracy needs these conversations.

1. Brexit to blame for a third of Britain's food bill rise, researchers say | Reuters

2. Focus on SME trade support, says trade chief after report finds Brexit has reduced goods exports by £27bn

3. Trade after Brexit | Institute for Government

4. UK's food sellers welcome EU deal but fishermen feel betrayed | Reuters

5. Brexit Costs UK £100 Billion a Year in Lost Output From Hiring to Investments - Bloomberg

6. Only 29% of voters would back Brexit now, poll finds - Left Foot Forward: Leading the UK's progressive debate

7. Citizens' assemblies | Institute for Government

8. The Irish Citizens' Assembly Project

9. UK Rejoins EU science research scheme Horizon

10. EU students in the UK after Brexit - Migration Observatory - The Migration Observatory

11. Contact your MP - UK Parliament

12. Why we don’t talk about Brexit - British Politics and Policy at LSE

To be notified of our latest news and blog updates, follow us on our Substack