The National:

IT’S a tale as old as time at this point. Outspoken public figure promotes leaving the EU – then comes to find Brexit isn’t that great after all …

Iron Maiden’s Brexiteer frontman Bruce Dickinson has brought on a fair few “I told you so” style insults this morning after complaining about the impact leaving the bloc has had on his sector.

“Don’t get me started on the Government’s attitude to the entertainment industry,” he told Sky News. “We are probably one of the UK’s major exports. I mean … come on. And yet we’re sitting here, we can’t do anything.

“It’s very well known that I voted for Brexit. But you know the idea is after you’ve done it you then go in and be sensible about the relationship you have with people. So at the moment all this guff about not being able to play in Europe, and the Europeans not being able to play over here and work permits and all the rest of the rubbish – come on! You know, get your act together.”

The very idea of Brexit was of course to end the freedom to live and work across Europe – so it should come as no surprise to the musician that cross-border touring was going to be hit pretty hard.

The UK Government had promised to avoid putting barriers on touring artists in its Brexit deal but, just like they did with Erasmus, failed. The UK blames the EU while the EU says it’s the UK’s fault.

Since the deal was struck the Tories have refused pursue a waiver scheme allowing musicians to tour the EU without needing visas and work permits. What a surprise.

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How this risk wasn’t apparent to long-time musician Dickinson, who in 2018 said he was “quite relaxed” about Brexit, isn’t clear.

Speaking then, he said he is able to tour Australia, Japan and America which aren’t part of the EU and thought Brexit would make the UK “more flexible”.

“Brexit actually opens our borders, Brexit opens the United Kingdom to the whole of the world,” he insisted.

Of course people were quick to note Dickinson’s changed position. “This is what he voted for,” wrote Jude Kirton-Darling. “Don’t get me started on prominent Brexiteers claiming otherwise.”

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“Own it Bruce, this is what you voted for,” added Steven H.Seggie.

“Well, well, well, if it isn't the consequences of his own actions,” replied Paul Wood.

“Maybe you should have done some research, this is exactly what you voted for you idiot,” said another.

Couldn’t have put it better ourselves.