Ten Years After Brexit Vote, New Book Explores How Britain Became Politically Divided
A decade on from the UK’s historic vote to leave the European Union, a new book is shedding light on how the referendum reshaped the country’s political landscape—and continues to influence it today.
To mark ten years since the 2016 EU referendum, Professor James Tilley from the Department of Politics and International Relations and Professor Sara Hobolt (from the London School of Economics), launch their book Tribal Politics: How Brexit Divided Britain as part of a BBC Radio 4 documentary - Ten Years After Brexit: Tribal.
The book argues that the referendum did more than determine the UK’s relationship with Europe—it fundamentally transformed British politics by solidifying two powerful and lasting identities: “Leavers” and “Remainers”.
Drawing on a decade of research, Tilley and Hobolt show how these identities have endured long after the vote itself, continuing to shape political attitudes, everyday conversations, and voting behaviour. Rather than fading over time, they have become deeply embedded in how people understand politics and their place within it.
We spoke with Professor Tilley who explains that the referendum acted as a pivotal moment, triggering the formation of new political identities that have proven remarkably resilient:
At a time when British politics has been marked by volatility and shifting voter loyalties, this work focuses on how individuals form political views and how those views are shaped by broader social and political change. His research highlights why divisions not only emerge but also endure over long periods:
Tribal Politics draws on extensive evidence, including large-scale surveys, experiments, and analysis of political parties, to build a detailed picture of Brexit’s long-term impact. The book offers a new framework for understanding how issue-based identities emerge, polarise societies, and persist even after the original political question has been settled.
Professor Tilley says politics is like a team sport:
As the UK reflects on ten years since the EU referendum, the book contributes to an ongoing debate about the legacy of Brexit—and what it means for the future of British democracy.
