Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair said the UK will only realise the full consequences of Brexit once it leaves the single market at the end of the year.
“That is when the full consequences will come,” he said.
Mr Blair reflected on the “profound mistake” the UK had made by withdrawing from the European Union, and that it now needs to reposition itself on the global stage.
Speaking exclusively to The National for the 'My 2020' podcast series launched on Monday, Mr Blair said that Brexit had "divided Britain" but that the political parties had to find a way forward.
“I fought very hard against Brexit. I think it's a profound mistake for Britain, but it’s happened and we're gonna have to make the best of it”, he said.
“My anxiety now is that I think both main political parties in a way want to say, 'well look, that Brexit argument is over, let's all move on'. The trouble is, because we're only going in 2021 to have the practical effect of Brexit clear ... we've then got to debate, ‘well, how do we make the best of the new world we find ourselves in?’"
Mr Blair said now that Brexit will come into full effect, “you've got to reconstruct your place in the world, economically and politically”.
That place in the world will be affected in part by the UK government decision to cut foreign aid, as it deals with the economic fallout from Covid-19. He lamented that decision, calling it "a big strategic mistake for Britain ... our commitment to aid gave us a very, very strong voice in the world ... I regret it deeply".
He did, however, concede that in “public opinion in the UK, it is probably a popular decision ... so I understand the political reasons why this is being taken”.
Mr Blair said he worried about the future of the union of the United Kingdom, saying it will be “under a lot of strain” after Brexit.
“I think Brexit has revived Scottish nationalism. Now, personally, I'm wholly opposed to the separatism in Scotland, or indeed, for the rest of the UK. I want the UK to stick together, we're more powerful together than we are apart."
He also spoke about Northern Ireland, and the potential effect on the UK of it staying “effectively” in the single market.
Mr Blair said 2020 is “a year like no other year ... everything changed”. He spoke of his own experiences in lockdown and how he now lives his life “completely differently”, while expressing his awareness that for a lot of people “things got worse”.
He expressed his concern that lockdowns had “deepened all inequalities”, a matter that will need addressing as the world emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic. Speaking from personal experience, Mr Blair said that what he missed most was “shaking hands and embracing people and just not having Covid in your mind”.
Editor's note: The team wore masks during set-up and recording of the podcast but Mr Blair and 'The National's' Editor-in-Chief Mina Al-Oraibi, who had both received negative Covid-19 tests, chose not to during the interview for the reason of maintaining sound quality.
EPL's youngest
- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
15 years, 181 days old
- Max Dowman (Arsenal)
15 years, 235 days old
- Jeremy Monga (Leicester)
15 years, 271 days old
- Harvey Elliott (Fulham)
16 years, 30 days old
- Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
16 years, 68 days old
The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Power: 575bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh554,000
On sale: now
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Born: High Wycombe, England
Favourite vehicle: One with solid axels
Favourite camping spot: Anywhere I can get to.
Favourite road trip: My first trip to Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan. The desert they have over there is different and the language made it a bit more challenging.
Favourite spot in the UAE: Al Dhafra. It’s unique, natural, inaccessible, unspoilt.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday Benevento v Atalanta (2pm), Genoa v Bologna (5pm), AC Milan v Torino (7.45pm)
Sunday Roma v Inter Milan (3.30pm), Udinese v Napoli, Hellas Verona v Crotone, Parma v Lazio (2pm), Fiorentina v Cagliari (9pm), Juventus v Sassuolo (11.45pm)
Monday Spezia v Sampdoria (11.45pm)
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Grand Slam Los Angeles results
Men:
56kg – Jorge Nakamura
62kg – Joao Gabriel de Sousa
69kg – Gianni Grippo
77kg – Caio Soares
85kg – Manuel Ribamar
94kg – Gustavo Batista
110kg – Erberth Santos
Women:
49kg – Mayssa Bastos
55kg – Nathalie Ribeiro
62kg – Gabrielle McComb
70kg – Thamara Silva
90kg – Gabrieli Pessanha
