The ghosts of 2016 still linger in the UK's political landscape. Despite the passage of a decade since the Brexit referendum, its most profound impact – the seismic shift in public sentiment – remains a powerful force shaping the nation's politics. A deeper dive into this phenomenon reveals that it wasn't just a vote against EU membership, but a wholesale rejection of the established order by ordinary people who felt ignored and betrayed.
Traditionally, Brexit is viewed through two lenses: the 'common room' perspective, which highlights personal feuds between key figures in Westminster; and the 'conference room' view, which focuses on the economic repercussions for the UK. However, these narratives often overlook the experiences of those who queued at polling stations, many voting for the first time in years. Their decision to leave was not driven by specific EU policies, but a profound sense of disillusionment with the system.
Despite warnings from the Government, the Treasury's 'Project Fear', and major business and trade organisations about the benefits of remaining 'Stronger In', a slim majority of the public opted to leave. This was a direct challenge to the establishment, a clear message that politicians had failed to address the concerns of ordinary people. In the aftermath, initiatives like Boris Johnson's 'levelling up' agenda were touted as a way to connect with this public anger, but critics argue these proved to be more rhetoric than substance.
The current political climate is characterised by a deep-seated dissatisfaction born from a perceived history of politicians misleading the public on key issues. The recent by-election in Makerfield, Wigan – a constituency where nearly two-thirds voted Leave in 2016 – demonstrates this enduring mutinous mood. In this election, no candidate on the ballot paper openly supported the Prime Minister, and newer right-wing parties are expected to garner significant support.
The rise of these parties highlights how the original 'streets' story of Brexit is directly influencing contemporary politics. This narrative suggests that while mainstream parties may be playing catch-up, these newer movements are effectively tapping into the ethnic resentment and long-standing anger that first manifested a decade ago. The ongoing challenge for established political parties is to address this fundamental distrust and discontent, rather than focusing solely on internal dynamics or economic balance sheets.
Source: Aditya Chakrabortty, The Guardian