In this opinion piece, Jonathan Freedland reflects on the tenth anniversary of the 2016 Brexit referendum and argues that Britain is now living with the deep political, economic and cultural consequences of that decision.

Drawing on a forthcoming BBC documentary, he revisits how the referendum campaign was shaped by political miscalculations and personal rivalries within the Conservative Party, particularly under David Cameron and George Osborne, alongside key figures such as Boris Johnson, Michael Gove and Dominic Cummings.

Freedland suggests that the campaign environment was marked by strategic dishonesty, most notably the claim on the Vote Leave bus about £350m allegedly sent to the EU each week, which he describes as a symbol of a broader shift towards “post-truth” politics.

The article argues that Brexit has had a lasting economic impact, citing estimates that UK GDP is now 6–8% lower than it would have been, with investment down significantly and trade reduced compared with remaining in the EU.It also highlights widespread disruption faced by businesses engaged in importing and exporting.

Beyond economics, Freedland emphasises a broader deterioration in public discourse, pointing to increased polarisation, online hostility, and the mainstreaming of previously fringe rhetoric.

He links the referendum campaign to a rise in aggressive political messaging, including controversial advertisements and slogans that played on fear and immigration.According to the article, these dynamics contributed to a more fragmented political landscape and created space for more extreme voices.

While acknowledging that Brexit was also a symptom of wider social and technological changes, including social media amplification, the author argues it significantly accelerated the coarsening of national debate.

Despite this bleak assessment, Freedland notes polling suggesting a majority of Britons now favour rejoining the EU, and he concludes that although Brexit’s consequences remain deeply embedded in British life, political change remains possible over time.