A decade after the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, the decision continues to cast a long shadow over British politics, contributing to a period of significant instability and division. The U.K. is preparing to welcome its seventh prime minister since the June 23, 2016, referendum, a period marked by economic sluggishness, governmental dysfunction, and a jaded public.

Brexit, which saw 52% vote to leave the EU after more than four decades of membership, was promised by its proponents as a means to "take back control" of laws, economy, and borders. Leading campaigner Boris Johnson spoke of "sunlit meadows beyond" and a "once-in-a-lifetime chance." However, the reality has been a complex and often acrimonious process.

A Tumultuous Political Landscape

Following the referendum, then-Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron resigned. His successors, including Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak, and now Keir Starmer, have all struggled to navigate the consequences of the departure. May resigned in 2019 after failing to secure parliamentary approval for her exit terms. Johnson, who promised to "get Brexit done," secured a basic trade deal but was later ousted amid scandals. Truss's tenure lasted only 49 days, and Sunak has focused on thawing relations with the EU without enacting major policy shifts. Starmer, campaigning on a promise of a "reset," has ruled out rejoining the EU's single market.

Historian Anthony Seldon noted that Cameron hoped the referendum would settle debates about the U.K.'s relationship with Europe, but instead, "The people who obsessed about it still obsess about it. Britain’s problems have continued."

The Conservative Party itself saw a significant shift, with pro-EU members pushed out by the more hardline Brexiteer faction. The Labour Party, while more pro-EU, faces internal divisions between those seeking closer ties and leaders like Starmer who aim to avoid reopening old wounds.

Economic and Social Repercussions

The promise of economic prosperity and easier trade has been challenged by new barriers with European neighbors. While Brexit is not the sole cause of the U.K.'s economic struggles over the past decade—the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and other global factors have also played a role—businesses have faced difficulties. Additionally, the hope for increased funding for public services has been juxtaposed with persistent demands for tax increases and debt management.

Immigration, a key issue during the campaign, has remained a contentious topic. Net migration figures rose significantly after Brexit before falling, and public discourse has become increasingly heated, sometimes fueled by misinformation leading to anti-immigration sentiment and street violence. This erosion of a traditional boundary between political discourse and street-level agitation is seen by some as a consequence of the Brexit debate.

A Divided Electorate and Lingering "Bregret"

Public opinion polls now suggest a degree of "Bregret," with a significant portion of the population favoring rejoining the EU. Recent marches in London advocating for rejoining the bloc, though smaller than past demonstrations, highlight the ongoing debate. Despite this, many voters have drifted from the two major parties, supporting alternatives like the Green Party and Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, who has been a prominent voice throughout the Brexit saga.

Chris Grey, an academic studying Brexit's fallout, describes the situation as "unfinished business," with the "subterranean trace of Brexit" still running through British politics. He likens the U.K. to a person with a chronic illness reluctant to seek treatment, suggesting that until politicians openly address Brexit's legacy, the nation faces an "undertow of low-grade crisis."