Britain marks 10 years since Brexit vote amid economic struggles and calls for closer EU ties

Ten years after the 2016 Brexit referendum, the UK marks the anniversary amid economic stagnation and political volatility. The resignation of Prime Minister Keir Starmer on June 22, 2026, sets up the country's seventh leader in a decade. While Starmer sought an EU reset to ease trade barriers, Brussels refuses to compromise its single market. Meanwhile, polls show growing British regret and strong EU support for the UK rejoining, even as eurosceptic parties rise across Europe.

UK political volatility post-Brexit

• ▪The United Kingdom has had six prime ministers since the June 23, 2016 Brexit referendum, with Keir Starmer's resignation on June 22, 2026, paving the way for a seventh
• ▪David Cameron resigned as United Kingdom Prime Minister the morning after the June 23, 2016 Brexit referendum, having campaigned for the country to remain in the European Union
• ▪Keir Starmer announced his resignation as United Kingdom Prime Minister on June 22, 2026, amid a leadership challenge from rival Andy Burnham
• ▪Theresa May resigned as United Kingdom Prime Minister in 2019 after failing three times to pass a Brexit proposal through a divided Parliament

Labour EU reset negotiations

• ▪Following Keir Starmer's resignation announcement on June 22, 2026, the European Union stated it was reviewing whether to proceed with a planned summit with the United Kingdom government in late July 2026
• ▪Prime Minister Keir Starmer initiated talks with the European Union to rebuild closer relations and reduce post-Brexit red tape to boost the stagnant British economy
• ▪Keir Starmer's proposed reset of relations with the European Union refused to consider rejoining the European single market or accepting the free movement of European Union workers

EU single market protection

• ▪Former European Union chief negotiator Michel Barnier stated that the European Union would not compromise or unravel the single market to make special economic deals with the United Kingdom
• ▪Michel Barnier described the United Kingdom's decision to leave the European single market as a lose-lose situation for both parties but insisted the single market must be protected

European eurosceptic parties rise

• ▪Marine Le Pen's eurosceptic National Rally party is positioned in opinion polls to potentially win the French presidency in 2027
• ▪Michel Barnier warned that compromising European Union rules for non-member nations like the United Kingdom would strengthen domestic eurosceptic parties seeking to weaken or destroy the bloc
• ▪National Rally Member of the European Parliament Fabrice Leggeri stated that the party aims to reduce France's contributions to the European Union budget and restrict non-European Union migration

Brexit strengthened EU unity

• ▪A survey by the Pew Research Centre indicates that 62% of respondents across the United Kingdom and seven European Union member states have a positive view of the European Union, up from 49% in 2016
• ▪A polling survey by the European Council on Foreign Relations found that 66% of respondents across 15 European Union countries support the United Kingdom rejoining the bloc
• ▪The European Council on Foreign Relations survey found that 63% of British respondents would accept the freedom of movement in exchange for closer trading ties with the European Union