It will soon be five years since the UK left the European Union, making good on a referendum held all the way back in 2016. The world has changed a lot in those 9 years, with a global pandemic, wars and economic crises all affecting the UK - but the country seems set on continuing to go it alone.
Have your say! Do you feel better off? Have we improved as a country? If you could go back and change your mind, would you? Take our survey and comment below, and join in on the conversation.
The referendum began as a gamble by former Prime Minister David Cameron to silence the "eurosceptics" in the Conservative party - and he would go on to lose that bet. Over 33 million people went out to vote on it, ending with a now-infamous 52-48% split after a bitter campaign filled with rows about money, immigration and national pride. Northern Ireland as a whole voted to remain in the EU, 56-44%.
Years of tense, ponderous negotiations followed as politicians argued over what Brexit should look like, when they would do it, and whether to leave the door open to rejoining in the future. The future of the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland - who would no longer be bound by the customs union - was a big sticking point for many.
Finally, just as the first Covid-19 lockdown was looming under Boris Johnson, the timer was allowed to expire and Britain was out of the EU.
Opinions are split on how much of a benefit Brexit has or can be. Economists and thinktanks regularly cite massive figures in the tens or hundreds of billions when they talk about the negative impact of leaving the EU on our economy, and business leaders talk about the barriers to trade and travel with our nearest neighbours.
Take our survey below. Can't see the survey? Click here.
Some of those who supported Brexit have since moved on to other causes, with figures like Nigel Farage of the Brexit Party declaring that they had won the "Leave" argument and would focus on issues like immigration and tax. Farage's new-look Reform UK party is growing in popularity in polls conducted in England, Scotland and Wales, challenging both Labour and the Conservatives as a result.
But the issue of whether to rejoin or forge closer ties to the EU remains a big issue, regardless of politicians declaring that it is over. Two of the three largest petitions ever on Parliament's official website are about stopping Brexit or holding another referendum.
There are few public figures who can stomach talking about having another vote and starting that bitter row all over again, but there are signs that the UK and the EU want to have closer ties again in the face of war in Europe, a second Donald Trump presidency in the USA, worries about illegal migration and more. But a full "rejoin" seems to be off the cards for now.
Have your say! Do you feel better off? Have we improved as a country? If you could go back and change your mind, would you? Take our survey and comment below, and join in on the conversation.
English (United States) ·