Voices: ‘They were warned’: Readers divided over Cornish fishermen who say Brexit left them betrayed

Were Britain's fishermen betrayed by Brexit, or were they sold a promise that was never realistic to begin with? That question sat at the heart of readers’ reactions to our report on Cornish fishermen who say they were “sold down the river” after backing Brexit in the hope it would transform their industry. The article forms part of The Independent’s Europe: The Way Back campaign, which is exploring how Britain can rebuild its relationship with Europe a decade after the referendum. As part of that conversation, Alex Ross travelled to Cornwall to hear from fishermen who feel promises about regaining control of British waters and revitalising coastal communities have not been fulfilled. Many readers agreed that fishing communities were let down – but argued the blame lies with the politicians who championed Brexit rather than with Brussels. Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson were repeatedly mentioned as figures who used fishermen as powerful symbols of the Leave campaign, making promises that ultimately proved impossible to deliver. Others pointed out that concerns about trade barriers, exports and access to European markets were raised long before the referendum. While some readers said they had little sympathy for those who voted Leave, many felt fishermen had been persuaded by a political campaign that overstated what Brexit could achieve. Here’s what you had to say: Food security starts at home Sooner or later we’ll wake up and smell the coffee. We could easily become self-sufficient in food if we took the farming and fishing industries seriously. Food security starts at home. I strongly believe in Europe, the EU, and the UK being part of the EU again – eventually – but every country needs to see its own home-grown industries as a vital part of its future security. Kerraddoo Britain doesn’t eat enough fish “Fishing pulls on the heartstrings of the nation”. The number of wet fish shops in this country is minuscule compared with Europe, where I have been (France, Belgium, Italy). I can go back decades when I have looked to buy wet fish in the UK unsuccessfully. The supermarkets in France have a wide selection of fish on the counters, several times larger than ours. So it isn’t surprising if our fishermen sell their fish to Europe, now, thanks to Brexit, with a poor return. Yes, we love our fish and chips, but not enough to fund a prosperous fishing industry.