A Very British Problem: Brexit (1945-2021)

Since the end of the Second World War, Britain has struggled with the question: Is Britain European? One response to that question is that Britain can only thrive if it is more European; for others, England can only succeed if it is less European. This question was complicated by Britain’s relationship with its former empire, especially its preferential trading links. Under Margaret Thatcher’s determined leadership, Europe would create its greatest achievement: the single market. Yet, that same market would create the framework for a wave of Eastern European immigrants into the UK. All these factors would come into play during the 2016 referendum. Explore the path to Brexit and what this means for the future of Britain and Europe.