The news that the government has found a new and ingenious way of damaging the British fishing industry post Brexit, has come as a bit of a shock to the many supporters of leaving the EU in the UK’s ports.
But the remainer’s sneering contempt and “we told you so” commentary on the industry’s latest plight, no fishing in Norwegian waters this year, is not going to win friends and influence people. Voters change their minds slowly and reluctantly, no one likes to admit they were wrong, let alone that they have been gullible. You are not going to win back such people by schadenfreude.
If remain is serious about improving the terrible deal this government negotiated with the EU or even rejoining, it needs those voters who now know they were used to get on board. That means doing what UKIP did, spending years in unfashionable places persuading proud people that the have been abandoned by those they trusted, again.
To make it even more difficult they will have to persuade them using the truth and facts. Remain can’t promise the fishing industry a return to a golden age or jobs for life, just a deal that is a bit better than the one they have been left with.
The Brexiteers know this, it is why they are so smug and uncaring; they no longer need the fishing industry but do not fear it changing its mind.
https://jonty.substack.com/