United Kingdom and EU reflect on 10‑year Brexit milestone

Ten years after the 2016 referendum in which 52 % of British voters chose to leave the European Union, the UK and EU are reassessing the outcome. A Euronews special report features interviews with former EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier, UK minister for EU relations Nick Thomas‑Symonds and others, analysing political and economic effects on Britain, Ireland and Europe.

Commentators note that more than half of Britons now view Brexit as a mistake and a majority support closer ties with the EU. Paul Schmidt of the Austrian Society for European Policy said, “The Brexit experiment has failed – now it is time to work pragmatically on solutions that remove remaining obstacles and build a strong Europe.” The discussion highlights ongoing cooperation on trade, defence, Horizon Europe and Erasmus+, and the possibility of the UK rejoining the bloc.

The retrospective underscores how Brexit has shaped trade, research, mobility and daily costs for citizens, while also illustrating that no other country has followed the UK’s path.