How Brexit broke British politics

A decade after the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, Brexit continues to cast a long shadow over British politics, contributing to instability and frequent leadership changes. The UK is preparing for its seventh prime minister since the June 23, 2016 referendum, which saw 52% vote to leave after over four decades of membership.

David Cameron, the prime minister who called the referendum, resigned the day after the vote. His successors have struggled to manage the consequences of the UK's departure. The current Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer is stepping down after two years marked by a sluggish economy, governmental dysfunction, and a divided populace, issues partly attributed to Brexit's fallout.

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the subterranean trace of Brexit

Chris Grey, an academic studying Brexit's impact, notes that "the subterranean trace of Brexit" still significantly influences Britain's increasingly volatile political landscape. The campaign itself tapped into widespread discontent, with proponents promising the UK would "take back control" of its laws, economy, and borders. Leading Brexiteer Boris Johnson evoked imagery of "sunlit meadows beyond" as a "once-in-a-lifetime chance."

However, the realities of Brexit clashed with promises of tight immigration controls, lucrative trade deals, increased public funding, and an end to EU regulations. Protracted and acrimonious divorce negotiations followed. The UK formally left the EU on January 31, 2020, with a transition period ending later that year. Theresa May resigned after failing to secure parliamentary approval for her exit terms, and Boris Johnson, despite promising to "get Brexit done," secured only a minimal trade deal, leaving UK-EU relations strained.

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We can see the sunlit meadows beyond. I believe we would be mad not to take this once-in-a-lifetime chance to walk through that door.