On January 31, 2020, the United Kingdom officially left the European Union after nearly five decades of membership that brought free movement and trade between the UK and 27 other European nations.
Five years ago, two crowds gathered outside the British Parliament in London: one cheering with Union Jacks, the other in tears, holding EU flags. For Brexit supporters, the UK was reclaiming its sovereignty, while opponents saw it as a step toward isolation and diminished influence.
Brexit marked a divided nation taking a leap into the unknown. In the years that followed, both people and businesses continued to grapple with economic, social, and cultural upheavals. “The impact of Brexit has been profound. It has changed our economy,” said political scientist Anand Menon, head of the “U.K in a Changing Europe” research center. He also noted that British politics had been fundamentally altered by Brexit, with new divisions becoming central to electoral politics.
The UK, long with a strong sense of historical importance, had been a reluctant EU member. In June 2016, a referendum on whether to stay or leave the EU was held, marking a defining moment in the nation’s history. Decades of deindustrialization, public spending cuts, and significant immigration created fertile ground for the argument that Brexit would allow the UK to “take back control” of its borders, laws, and economy.
However, the referendum result—52% for Brexit and 48% against—was a shock to many. Neither the Conservative government, which campaigned to remain in the EU, nor Brexit activists had detailed plans for leaving the Union. This led to years of negotiations over the terms of the “divorce,” culminating in a deal before Christmas 2020.
A recent poll revealed that 30% of Britons still believe Brexit was a positive decision, while a majority—55%—support rejoining the EU, including 20% of those who voted for Brexit in 2016. Among them, 39% strongly back rejoining, according to a YouGov survey. Labour leader Keir Starmer, who voted to remain in the EU, has ruled out the possibility of rejoining.
