A decade on, Brexit's legacy is universal disappointment

A decade on, Brexit's legacy is universal disappointment Submitted by John Rees on Tue, 06/23/2026 - 15:33 Leaving the EU was never about addressing the real causes of discontent in Britain. It was about masking them Campaigners for the Leave and Remain groups hold placards during a demonstration in London’s Hyde Park ahead of the Brexit vote, on 19 June 2016 (Ben Stansall/AFP) On Ten years on from one of the most toxic political debates in recent British history, it might - just might - be possible to take a longer, more considered view. The first step is any such assessment must be to understand why the Brexit debate was so conflicted.