Why Brexit Still Haunts British Politics

Nearly a decade after the 2016 referendum that voted to leave, the consequences of Brexit continue to shape British politics as some Labour figures question the decision. Wes Streeting described the Brexit as a 'catastrophic mistake' and argued that the United Kingdom should approach Europe more closely. The article describes the path from Brexit formalities in 2020 to the exit from free movement in 2021, under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, which remains the legal framework for most ties between the UK and the EU. The government of Keir Starmer wants to recalibrate that agreement without rejoining the EU or a customs union, seeking selective regulatory alignment, especially in finance.

At a May 2025 UK-EU summit, negotiators outlined an agenda including agriculture, linking emissions trading systems, possible UK participation in the EU internal electricity market, and a youth mobility scheme. France won a 12-year extension to the fisheries agreement, a development welcomed in Paris but viewed with mixed feelings in London. Despite talks, officials say progress remains deliberately incremental and bilateral tensions persist, underscoring the enduring challenge of reconciling Britain's post-Brexit autonomy with the EU's regulatory framework. The article concludes that, without deeper integration, Brexit's political footprint continues to haunt Britain’s governing debate.