England’s we-the-people revolt

Abstract

Europe, outsiders, parties, experts, London, the United Kingdom itself – all were rejected in Britain’s referendum here are days that concentrate decades. 23–24 June 2016, when Britain voted to leave the European Union, was one. The decision to end forty-three years of economic and political association with its continental partners was seismic enough. Within hours, the reverberations had toppled a prime minister, threatened the integrity of the state, alarmed allies, dislocated financial markets, recalibrated global politics, and sparked a political coup in the opposition Labour Party. The very air felt different. Those responsible, in the neighbourhoods, town centres, pubs and cafes where English people congregate, seemed more confounded by than triumphant at what they had done. But as the day ended, everyone was conscious of having been participants in a moment of History they would never forget... Read the full articl