A Decade After Brexit: Political Turmoil and Economic Decline
WHO:
Fortune - Andy Burnham is expected to succeed Keir Starmer as the new Labour Prime Minister.
AP News - Keir Starmer, Labour Prime Minister, announced his resignation.
AP News - David Cameron, Conservative Prime Minister, called the Brexit referendum.
AP News - Boris Johnson, a leading Brexit campaigner and later Prime Minister.
AP News - Theresa May, Cameron's successor, attempted to negotiate Brexit.
AP News - Liz Truss, who served as Prime Minister for 49 days.
Fortune - Andy Burnham, former mayor of Greater Manchester, is a potential successor to Starmer.
Fortune - Nigel Farage, leader of the hard-right Reform UK party.
WHAT:
PBS - A recent Ipsos survey found that 56% of the electorate would vote to rejoin the EU if given the chance, including 22% of those who voted to leave.
PBS - The Confederation of British Industry reported that the U.K. economy has shrunk by about 8% since Brexit was enacted.
AP News - The U.K. is about to get its seventh prime minister since the Brexit vote.
AP News - The Brexit referendum resulted in a 52%-48% vote to leave the EU.
AP News - Starmer's resignation follows two years of a sluggish economy and political division.
Fortune - The U.K. economy has shrunk by 6% to 8% due to Brexit.
Fortune - Investment in the U.K. fell by 12% to 13% since the Brexit vote.
Fortune - Employment decreased by 3% to 4% and productivity declined by 3% to 4% over the decade.
WHERE:
AP News - The events are taking place in the United Kingdom, specifically at 10 Downing Street.
WHEN:
Fortune - Nominations for Starmer's successor will open next month, with a new party leader likely to be decided soon after.
AP News - The Brexit referendum occurred on June 23, 2016.
AP News - The U.K. formally left the EU on January 31, 2020.
Fortune - Nominations for Starmer's successor will open next month.
Fortune - The demographic turning point in the U.K. is projected to occur between 2025 and 2026.
Fortune - The Office for National Statistics projects a natural shortfall of approximately 450,000 people over the next decade.
WHY:
PBS - Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, stated that losing access to European funding was a major blow for the town, impacting necessary works to the promenade and seafront.
AP News - Brexit was fueled by a desire to regain control over laws, economy, and borders.
AP News - Political instability and economic malaise have been attributed to the fallout from Brexit.
Fortune - The economic decline is linked to elevated policy uncertainty following the Brexit vote.
HOW:
AP News - The U.K. underwent acrimonious divorce talks with the EU that lasted for years.
Fortune - The analysis of the economic impact of Brexit was conducted using Bank of England data.
(UPDATED June 24, 2026 11:54 UTC)
Andy Burnham is expected to succeed Keir Starmer as the new Labour Prime Minister, with nominations for Starmer's successor set to open next month. A recent Ipsos survey revealed that 56% of the electorate would vote to rejoin the EU if given the chance, including 22% of those who previously voted to leave, while the Confederation of British Industry reported that the U.K. economy has shrunk by about 8% since Brexit was enacted. Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, emphasized that losing access to European funding has significantly impacted the town, affecting essential works to the promenade and seafront.
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(UPDATED June 24, 2026 06:28 UTC)
Keir Starmer has announced his resignation as Prime Minister, marking a significant moment as the U.K. prepares to welcome its seventh prime minister since the Brexit vote. The country has faced a challenging economic landscape, with a contraction of six to eight percent and a drop in investment by twelve to thirteen percent since the referendum, which saw a narrow 52 to 48 percent vote to leave the EU. Nominations for Starmer's successor will open next month, with potential candidates like Andy Burnham and Nigel Farage already in the spotlight.