My mistake Tavy, I mentioned Sarko.It was Hollande by 2016 Ali.
The referendum was a perfect storm of negative factors for those who wanted our EU membership to continue. Some of the blame you lay at the door of the U.K. and some of it in Brussels.
That said, whereas Britain is often because of Brexit accused by the naysayers of committing an act of unfathomable political and economic self harm, IMO it’s not said enough (if at all) that the loss of the UK to the European project was a major geopolitical feck up by the movers and shakers on mainland Europe and despite their rhetoric it’s full effects are yet to be seen.
Full effects on all parties nowhere near to be seen, and essentially unknown. I agree to a point that the EU is weaker without the UK but now the British handbrake has been released, will be interesting to see how much further down the road of 'ever closer union' they travel.
Need to come back in 10yrs and see what it all looks like.