True like many places parts of Sunderland and Middlesbrough have issues. But much regeneration is ongoing. Brexit didn’t cause their decline. Actually in Teesside the Freeport’s is aiding regeneration. But you obviously didn’t visit Yarm or ashbrook or Roker seaburn suburbs. Bilbao has industrial areas of deprivation, as does Barcelona and La linea is 3rd world. Parts of Palma are not great. So the places mentioned are not unique. My good mate Paco lives in Gosforth came to Newcastle in the 70s his nephews and nieces came in 2010. None would return to Cadiz . So tit tat pointless.

David HollandI've been to Middlesbrough and Sunderland. Those places are grimmer than anything I've seen in Eastern Europe.

Morgan WilliamsI still don’t get the ducks

Morgan WilliamsThen we agree leave the Brexit behind. BMW could have built the mini in China but chose the U.K. . And many more BMWs Mercedes’ and Vag enter the U.K. than Minis going that way. Airbuses have wings and complex wings aren’t built in Europe. Inflation has always been a feature of the U.K. economy and unlike France and Germany the U.K. economy seems to have returned to growth. And U.K. debt is a result of Covid, and is among the 4 largest European Union economies only larger than Germany. But no doubt no of these matters will stop the British visiting Majorca for 14 day hols.

David Holland"The vote was 8 years ago , no one’s going to reopen that wound , leave it alone. Adapt move on." .. my sentiments exactly. Though the adaptation is rather uncomfortable... the reverse of what was sold (though predictable and predicted), and continuing to expect (demand) status quo is a bit rich. "cake and eat it", remember that? Yet that fairy tale continues to this day in English politics and press. The UK made the bed, so Lie in it. (Pun intended). Yes, adapt, but continuing to lie to themselves about it isn't adapting to the politico-economic reality. And no, rejoining isn't likely. So, the only option is to live with it. And quit lying to yourselves about it. And while BMW makes minis in the UK, they also enjoy fairly freewheeling export to the EU. So does Airbus (both are major EU manufacturers). And since the UK's manufacturing output is all but gone, it's an import dependent economy, most of it from the EU. That got rather complicated after Brexit. Expensive, too, which explains much about the UK's stubbornly high inflation and consequently, uniquely stagnant economy, and historically high debt. So no, it's not the same as before. Ducks? MR Ducks MR naught. CM Wangs? LIB. MR ducks.

Zoltan TeglasWell those places were run down pre Brexit, thereby gives a reason. I’m fortunate to live in a very pleasant part of Northumberland, small place population 30k. Average incomes £96k a year. The urban area of Tyne & wear population 1.8million has areas of deprivation, every where has. But unemployment is historically low , massive regeneration in Newcastle city centre funded by the much mentioned by the MDB , Ruben brothers and partners. Pubs , restaurants 3 of which Michelin stared , cafes all busy . All flights out of Newcastle airport full. Nissan , advanced manufacturing, starting salaries north of £40k a year. University of Newcastle, northumbria , Durham, attracting students from all over the world. The Covid period and energy inflation shock did cause difficulties and hardship to some, but Brexit hasn’t. Maybe you talk to to many guardian readers.

Morgan WilliamsDuck .? I haven’t seen Duck. Since my last walk along the river. 52% of those who were bothered voted to leave. Those who didn’t vote weren’t bothered either way. As you say the case for the U.K. population to remain in the European Union was not made. Actually only the stick of negativity was presented and as stated by the heads of Nissan, BMW and particularly the head of airbus none of the downside have materialised. The travails of the NHS has little or nothing to do with the European Union. It is a sh.t storm of U.K. making , a creation that’s flawed from the outset and has had its day. The vote was 8 years ago , no one’s going to reopen that wound , leave it alone. Adapt move on.

David HollandDuck? What duck? Well, David, prior to the vote, according to the Brexit lot, things were pretty bad. The NHS needed money, economic growth was stifled, and immigration was out of control. So Brexit was a necessity in order to "take back control" from the EU, Right? But if nothing's changed, then it must still be pretty bad (?) So, what will England be voting for next? Christmas?

David Holland'there’s no change.' Seriously? A lot of UK cities are really poor, run down places. Almost every British person I speak to say it's getting worse and worse. Compare UK cities to Spanish cities and tell me which country is doing better.

Or of course you can just stop talking about it. Brexit happened Most British visitors to Europe hardly spend 6 weeks there .. Business continues unabated. Ford , Nissan, BMW and airbus all Brexit critics now saying there’s no change. Most Brits haven’t even noticed the difference. TcM the online Spanish deli have been pestering us with emails. So must be missing the business.