South East businesses on EU trade 10 years after Brexit vote

At the Europa logistics firm in Dartford, Kent, they agree transporting goods has become costlier and more complex - not what they hoped for when they welcomed Boris Johnson 10 years ago to campaign to leave the EU. But the additional costs have not changed their minds. Jack Bexter, road operations manager, said: "I would vote leave again and I believe that the UK has got a very positive future ahead of it, because we've got the opportunities that Brexit has presented." Europa has done well since Brexit, the company says, beating the competition by being able to adapt quickly in uncertain times. Bexter says that if regulations are cut in the future, then Britain could make more, meaning more products to move around. "Our long-term vision is that the UK being a sovereign nation and taking back control of our borders, our own legislation, is good for UK productivity, good for the UK economy," he said. "What's good for the UK economy is good for our business." "Although we do have the free trade agreement, we have to do paperwork to prove we're part of that," he said. "We have to do more work to do the same thing we were doing 10 years ago. Then there's the cost." Roughly 95% of LGM's products are made in the UK, but aligned with EU specifications. Mogford-Revess said the UK previously had a voice in setting those specifications but, as it "no longer has a seat at the highest table", the UK now has no say. "We're not turning our back on the UK... but our need to be in the UK is reduced," he said. "I feel we've actually lost control." A government spokesperson said: "We live in a post-Brexit world, and it is time we focus on building a closer, forward-looking relationship with Europe that works for the British people and businesses. "At the next UK-EU Summit, we will deliver an ambitious package of deals to boost trade, cut red tape and create opportunities for young people." All the businesses BBC South East spoke to have survived but say it has been tough. As the years go by, it becomes harder to quantify which changes are caused by Brexit or by huge world events, like the pandemic or wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. But here in the South East, businesses have no doubt about the impact of leaving the EU. The end of free-flowing trade with our neighbours has meant challenging times for all of them.