Brexit and Europe. A Commentary

Abstract The Brexit vote was not simply a rejection of the European Union but also of a politics based on calculated self-interest or reasoned idealism. The author outlines how the referendum came about, provides crucial background information, and analyses its results. The reasons for the success of the Leave campaign are concisely presented, including the role of parties other than the Labour and Tory parties and that of the media in promoting, instead of critically assessing, a campaign characterized by exaggerated, even false claims. In his outlook towards the future, the author focuses on the UK/EU relationship and the internal constitutional crisis the Brexit vote has created and the dangers these pose for (further) destabilisation both of Britain and Europe.