Podcast | Ten years on, Brexit ghosts still linger
Poinews.com – June 23, 2016, marked a pivotal moment in European history as UK voters participated in a referendum that would shape the region’s future. The decision, which saw 51.9% of the electorate favor leaving the EU and 48.1% supporting continued membership, sparked a cascade of political and institutional changes. It led to the resignation of then-Prime Minister David Cameron and initiated a prolonged negotiation process that concluded on January 31, 2020, with the UK formally exiting the European Union.
Voices from the Brexit era
A decade later, the event continues to resonate differently among individuals. For Katy Lee and Dominic Kraemer, co-founders of the podcast *The Europeans*, it was a catalyst for deeper exploration of European integration. They began their work several months after the referendum, driven by a desire to demystify the EU’s complex mechanisms and its role across the continent.
“One of the things that hit both of us quite strongly was how the European Union and Europe more broadly were talked about in our domestic British media in the run-up to the referendum,” Lee reflected.
Kraemer emphasized the importance of the podcast in bridging gaps: “We started this podcast hoping to come up with a definition of what it meant to be European. And I still feel like researching,” he said. “Maybe that in itself gives me the answer that Europe is so many different things—it’s this tapestry of cultures, backgrounds, and opinions.”
Shifting perceptions of the EU
Connor Allen, a corporate lobbyist, viewed Brexit as a political turning point. Though he voted to remain, his confidence in the EU has since wavered. “The UK is not in a better place because it left, nor in a worse place,” he noted. “But the EU has changed a lot since 2016. We believed it was a bastion of rights and democracy, yet now we see political parties being banned across member states.”
Euronews reporter Shona Murray acknowledges the EU’s growing challenges but remains critical of Brexit’s overall impact. “It’s not fair to say the UK hasn’t felt the effects of leaving the EU. There’s been a clear shift in investment, unemployment rates, and future prospects,” she explained. Her coverage revealed that many of the arguments from 2016 were rooted in broader discontent with governance in the UK.
Looking to the future
As the EU and UK prepare for their next summit in July 2026, discussions are expected to focus on strengthening economic ties. This event underscores the ongoing dialogue between the two entities, even as differing views on Brexit’s legacy persist. For insights into these developments, listeners are encouraged to follow *Brussels, My Love?* and explore the full episode in the player above or their preferred podcast platform.
