--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The argument that won the Brexit campaign…" description: "\"The argument that won the Brexit campaign is the one that said take back control... which is another way of saying we want to control our destinies aga..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da3/frans-timmermans-9984_brexit_the-argument-that-won-the-brexit-campaig_30521.jpg" --- # The argument that won the Brexit campaign is the one that… ![“The argument that won the Brexit campaign is the one that said take back control... which is another way of saying we want to control our destinies again. This is an existential issue for the whole of Europe, not just for the U.K., because this sentiment is not limited to the United Kingdom.” quote by Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da3/frans-timmermans-9984_brexit_the-argument-that-won-the-brexit-campaig_30521.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da3/frans-timmermans-9984_brexit_the-argument-that-won-the-brexit-campaig_30521.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da3/frans-timmermans-9984_brexit_the-argument-that-won-the-brexit-campaig_30521.jpg) > “The argument that won the Brexit campaign is the one that said take back control... which is another way of saying we want to control our destinies again. This is an existential issue for the whole of Europe, not just for the U.K., because this sentiment is not limited to the United Kingdom.” [Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote argues that Brexit’s core appeal lies in reclaiming national self‑determination, framing it as a fundamental, existential concern for Europe, not merely a UK issue. **In simple terms:** Brexit as a quest for sovereign destiny. Key Takeaway Control over destiny drives political movements. Themes nationalism sovereignty political identity European integration existential politics Mood defiant reflective urgent Type political analytical When to use this quote - national elections - EU policy debates - public protests - media commentary Key Concepts self‑determination populist rhetoric regional stability identity politics Practical Applications - policy analysis - campaign strategy Questions to Reflect On - What does ‘control over destiny’ mean for citizens? - How might this sentiment affect EU cohesion? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Argument Won](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/argument-won-425239/) [Brexit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brexit/) [Brexit Campaign](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brexit-campaign-425237/) [Control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/control/) [Europe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/europe/) [Europe Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/europe-just-425240/) [Existential](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existential/) [Issue Europe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/issue-europe-425238/) [United kingdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/united-kingdom/) ## Related quotes > [The most important funder of the British Brexit campaign had odd Russian contacts. So did some cabinet ministers in Poland's supposedly anti-Russian, hard-right government,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-applebaum/the-most-important-funder-of-the-british-brexit-campaign-had-odd/) [Anne Applebaum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-applebaum/) > [During the Brexit campaign there was a deficit of outrage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nish-kumar/during-the-brexit-campaign-there-was-a-deficit-of-outrage/) [Nish Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nish-kumar/) > [The Brexit campaign was transformed from a fringe eccentricity into a mass movement by a handful of people who decided to make it into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-applebaum/the-brexit-campaign-was-transformed-from-a-fringe-eccentricity-into-a/) [Anne Applebaum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-applebaum/) > [Nowadays it's a big issue in Europe because you are forced to describe yourself by your culture, and you begin to forget about yourself,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burhan-sonmez/nowadays-it-s-a-big-issue-in-europe-because-you-are-forced-to/) [Burhan Sonmez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/burhan-sonmez/) > [There is no argument that I won't take seriously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-beard/there-is-no-argument-that-i-won-t-take-seriously/) [Mary Beard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-beard/) > [“remedy. The issue of Europe, he suggested, should be taken out of the hands of governments and parties, and put directly to the people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-pimlott/remedy-the-issue-of-europe-he-suggested-should-be-taken-out-of-the/) [Ben Pimlott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-pimlott/) > [I did not dwell on the issue of Europe during either the 2001 or the 2005 campaigns - despite it being a pivotal personal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-kennedy/i-did-not-dwell-on-the-issue-of-europe-during-either-the-2001-or-the/) [Charles Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-kennedy/) > [suicide is the ultimate 'one-up,' as it were, the accusation that brooks no defense, the argument won at last.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanne-greenberg/suicide-is-the-ultimate-one-up-as-it-were-the-accusation-that-brooks/) [Joanne Greenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanne-greenberg/) > [Since when was an emotional argument won by logic?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/since-when-was-an-emotional-argument-won-by-logic/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [Like Trump's presidential bid, the Brexit campaign has been driven largely by fears of cultural penetration, immigrant invasion, and the genuine crisis of Middle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hayes/like-trump-s-presidential-bid-the-brexit-campaign-has-been-driven/) [Chris Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hayes/) > [Much as I would have liked to respond factually and truthfully to each and every piece of misinformation spread by the Brexit campaign, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-claude-juncker/much-as-i-would-have-liked-to-respond-factually-and-truthfully-to/) [Jean-Claude Juncker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-claude-juncker/) > [I believe the vote for Brexit was the greatest ever vote of confidence in the project of the United Kingdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kemi-badenoch/i-believe-the-vote-for-brexit-was-the-greatest-ever-vote-of/) [Kemi Badenoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kemi-badenoch/) > [Only Boris Johnson will get the best Brexit deal for Britain, defeat Jeremy Corbyn's divisive shambles of an opposition, and govern the United Kingdom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/priti-patel/only-boris-johnson-will-get-the-best-brexit-deal-for-britain-defeat/) [Priti Patel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/priti-patel/) > [I dont want a Europe that is just a free-trade area attached to NATO. Even less do I want a Europe where its everyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/segolene-royal/i-dont-want-a-europe-that-is-just-a-free-trade-area-attached-to-nato/) [Segolene Royal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/segolene-royal/) > [The E.U. cannot give up on common solidarity. The idea that every country does its own thing, and history and geography decides whose turn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paolo-gentiloni/the-e-u-cannot-give-up-on-common-solidarity-the-idea-that-every/) [Paolo Gentiloni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paolo-gentiloni/) ## More by Frans Timmermans > [If nationalism makes us poor, weak, and morally insecure, how can it claim to be patriotic? I maintain that nationalists are unpatriotic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/if-nationalism-makes-us-poor-weak-and-morally-insecure-how-can-it/) [Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) > [The Netherlands believes in a vigorous Europe with a commission that is independent and robust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/the-netherlands-believes-in-a-vigorous-europe-with-a-commission-that/) [Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) > [Protectionism has never been an answer, will never be an answer. We need trade. We need trade agreements worldwide.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/protectionism-has-never-been-an-answer-will-never-be-an-answer-we/) [Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) > [Let's be clear: a nationalist is not a patriot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/let-s-be-clear-a-nationalist-is-not-a-patriot/) [Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) > [It is a duty for any government to uphold the rule of law, and this sometimes requires the proportionate use of force.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/it-is-a-duty-for-any-government-to-uphold-the-rule-of-law-and-this/) [Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) > [Since when is politics consistent?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/since-when-is-politics-consistent/) [Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) > [This is the game of those who deny climate change or who deny the need for sustainability. They say, 'They are going to take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/this-is-the-game-of-those-who-deny-climate-change-or-who-deny-the/) [Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) > [How many millions of straws do we use every day across Europe? I would have people not use plastic straws any more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/how-many-millions-of-straws-do-we-use-every-day-across-europe-i-would/) [Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) > [What is the issue that has brought the European Union to the brink? The issue of migration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/what-is-the-issue-that-has-brought-the-european-union-to-the-brink/) [Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) > [For all its shortcomings, European co-operation and integration has created an understanding of shared destiny. We no longer point guns at each other; we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/for-all-its-shortcomings-european-co-operation-and-integration-has/) [Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) > [I want Europe to go forward, not backward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/i-want-europe-to-go-forward-not-backward/) [Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) > [Nationalism makes us weak because its eternal seeking of enemies, its disdain of others, its need to feel superior makes cooperation with other nations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/nationalism-makes-us-weak-because-its-eternal-seeking-of-enemies-its/) [Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) > [I think we have a political and moral duty to do everything within our power to maintain the Good Friday Agreement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/i-think-we-have-a-political-and-moral-duty-to-do-everything-within/) [Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) > [Plastic waste is undeniably a big issue, and Europeans need to act together to tackle this problem because plastic waste ends up in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/plastic-waste-is-undeniably-a-big-issue-and-europeans-need-to-act/) [Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) > [If the E.U. is to survive... it is based on the fact that for every community that belongs in Europe, there is a place…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/if-the-e-u-is-to-survive-it-is-based-on-the-fact-that-for-every/) [Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) [Explore all 68 Frans Timmermans quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) ## More Brexit quotes > [No-deal Brexit could be Boris Johnson's biggest deception yet - worse than the Boris bus or the lies that had him sacked as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-davey/no-deal-brexit-could-be-boris-johnson-s-biggest-deception-yet-worse/) [Ed Davey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-davey/) > [And after Brexit, we will be free to determine our economic future, with control over our money, laws and borders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-truss/and-after-brexit-we-will-be-free-to-determine-our-economic-future/) [Liz Truss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-truss/) > [No one voted for a Brexit that will tie us to the E.U.'s customs rules and prevent us striking meaningful trade deals of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-johnson/no-one-voted-for-a-brexit-that-will-tie-us-to-the-e-u-s-customs-rules/) [Jo Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-johnson/) > [The audience for facts, evidence and research about microtargeting, Facebook and Brexit is tiny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-cummings/the-audience-for-facts-evidence-and-research-about-microtargeting/) [Dominic Cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-cummings/) > [I am a passionate, pragmatic, and positive believer in Brexit, and with my three-step plan, we can decisively leave the E.U.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-leadsom/i-am-a-passionate-pragmatic-and-positive-believer-in-brexit-and-with/) [Andrea Leadsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-leadsom/) > [The important thing with Facebook is to remember that it played a role in facilitating Brexit because it inadvertently allowed leave-supporting groups to use…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nish-kumar/the-important-thing-with-facebook-is-to-remember-that-it-played-a/) [Nish Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nish-kumar/) > [Brexit has always been an impossible project, except at the price of massive self-harm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-adonis-baron-adonis/brexit-has-always-been-an-impossible-project-except-at-the-price-of/) [Andrew Adonis, Baron Adonis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-adonis-baron-adonis/) > [Whatever happens with Brexit, what I am absolutely convinced will not happen is that free movement of individuals, free movement of people, will not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-varadkar/whatever-happens-with-brexit-what-i-am-absolutely-convinced-will-not/) [Leo Varadkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-varadkar/) > [I think one of the laughable things about poor old Brexit is that they're so cross - they're furious with everyone. But this isn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-soames/i-think-one-of-the-laughable-things-about-poor-old-brexit-is-that/) [Nicholas Soames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-soames/) > [Brexit has really broken a taboo. The Brits have shown us that you can leave the European Union, and you can come out better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marine-le-pen/brexit-has-really-broken-a-taboo-the-brits-have-shown-us-that-you-can/) [Marine Le Pen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marine-le-pen/) > [People are rightly concerned about what Brexit will mean for the country, for their jobs and for their families.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kemi-badenoch/people-are-rightly-concerned-about-what-brexit-will-mean-for-the/) [Kemi Badenoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kemi-badenoch/) > [Brexit is not, thankfully, a question of war. But, like Iraq, Brexit is an act of unprovoked self-harm and a massive strategic mistake that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-adonis-baron-adonis/brexit-is-not-thankfully-a-question-of-war-but-like-iraq-brexit-is-an/) [Andrew Adonis, Baron Adonis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-adonis-baron-adonis/) > [I'll keep fighting for the best, most successful Brexit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-raab/i-ll-keep-fighting-for-the-best-most-successful-brexit/) [Dominic Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-raab/) > [The skills necessary to change nappies or negotiate Brexit are obviously very different, but both involve a great deal of trust in the competence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-esler/the-skills-necessary-to-change-nappies-or-negotiate-brexit-are/) [Gavin Esler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-esler/) > [The public wants to know that their political leaders will stay true to the promise made to them that Brexit means Brexit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/priti-patel/the-public-wants-to-know-that-their-political-leaders-will-stay-true/) [Priti Patel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/priti-patel/) [Browse all 412 Brexit quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brexit/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The argument that won the Brexit campaign is the one that said take back control... which is another way of saying we want to control our destinies again. 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