They knew but don't assume they didn't actively want the bad aspects.

They wanted to punish their native working and middle classes for voting the wrong way ("we'll rub their noses in diversity" - Tony Blair). They want to de-growth and cut standards of living because they imagine they are like super heroes saving the planet. They have western guilt so think they must somehow deserve punishment for having a good life, forgetting that it was their ancestors innovations and investments which made that good life, it wasn't just luck.