Brexit

Brexit — Britain's exit from the European Union — was one of the most consequential and divisive political events in modern British and European history. On June 23, 2016, 52% of UK voters chose to leave the EU in a referendum that split the country along lines of age, education, geography, and identity. The result shocked political establishments on both sides of the Channel.

The Leave campaign successfully tapped into frustrations over immigration, sovereignty, EU regulations, and a sense that globalization had left behind large segments of British society. The Remain campaign argued that EU membership was essential for economic prosperity, security, and international influence. The narrow Leave victory unleashed years of political turmoil — three prime ministers, two general elections, and protracted negotiations that consumed British politics.

Brexit formally took effect on January 31, 2020, with a transition period ending in December 2020. Its economic impact has included new trade barriers, labor shortages, and reduced foreign investment. The political impact extended beyond economics: Scotland's renewed push for independence, tensions over the Northern Ireland border, and questions about whether Brexit would be the first of many departures from the EU. Brexit demonstrated how referendums on complex issues can divide nations and how the promise of 'taking back control' can mean different things to different people.