How Britain, Europe and the West Were Changed by Brexit

Summary

Bloomberg Opinion columnist Adrian Wooldridge discusses the tenth anniversary of the Brexit referendum, describing it as an unexpected act of economic self-harm that reshaped UK politics and immigration. He notes that immigration actually increased after Brexit, becoming more diverse, and argues that the UK is unlikely to rejoin the EU on favorable terms. The conversation covers the political motivations behind the referendum and its long-term economic consequences.

• Brexit was unexpected by the media and even by its own campaigners.
• The referendum was originally a tool of party management by David Cameron.
• Brexit was sold as a way to restore sovereignty and boost growth but resulted in economic self-harm.
• Immigration spiked after Brexit and became browner, disappointing many voters.
• The Boris Johnson government implemented a more open immigration policy, the 'Boris wave'.
• The UK is unlikely to rejoin the EU on old favorable terms and would have to accept the euro.
• The world after Brexit became more divided into trading blocs, harming a free-trading Britain.
• The piece explores historical parallels and the lasting impact of the vote.