The Shock of a Decade: Personal and Political Fallout
Ten years after the Brexit referendum, the emotional and practical aftershocks continue to reverberate across Europe. For many, the initial reaction was disbelief. Julia Ebner, an Austrian researcher on counter-extremism and now a British citizen, recalls: "I remember waking up in shock 10 years ago. My suitcase was waiting to be packed. Emotionally, it felt as if I had just found out that my partner had cheated on me." Instead of leaving, she chose to investigate what drove leave voters, ultimately staying and becoming a British citizen, mother, and academic.
Guy Verhofstadt, former Belgian prime minister and EU Brexit coordinator, argues that Brexit has not resolved Britain's relationship with Europe. "It has merely made it more complicated, more costly and more frustrating," he says. He believes Britain's natural place is in the EU, especially given challenges like Russian aggression and climate change.
Leaving and Staying: Divergent Paths
Oliver Imhof, a German writer, left the UK in 2018 and moved to Madrid. "Leaving has turned out to be the best decision of my life so far," he states. He contrasts Spain's thriving economy and welfare state with what he sees as Britain's decline. Yet he returns annually and hopes the UK can overcome its divisions.
Jakub Krupa, a Guardian journalist, notes that the predicted "Brexodus" did not happen. However, more Romanians and Poles are now leaving the UK than arriving. "Britain is no longer the promised land it once was," he observes. Since 2016, 468,322 EU citizens have naturalised as UK citizens—a costly and bureaucratic process, but a vote of confidence in the country.
Northern Ireland and the Irish Sea Border
Emer O'Toole, an Irish academic, reflects on Brexit's impact on Irish unity. The customs border in the Irish Sea preserved peace, but living standards in the Republic now far exceed those in Northern Ireland. "Post-Brexit, the numbers of self-proclaimed unionists and nationalists are close to even," she notes, citing identity shifts: "British only" identity dropped from 40% to 32%, while "Irish only" rose from 25% to 29%.
Relief and Regret: A Continental View
Joris Luyendijk, a Dutch journalist, admits he was relieved by Brexit. He argues Britain's heart was never in the European project, and its departure spared the EU from further sabotage. "Imagine a European summit with Nigel Farage at the table," he quips. Yet he acknowledges the decision was based on lies and manipulation.
Anne-Laure Donskoy, a campaigner for EU citizens' rights, witnessed the human cost firsthand: lost jobs, split families, and bureaucratic nightmares. She became a British citizen but continues to study the activist work of women post-Brexit. "For ordinary citizens, this story is not over," she concludes.
