Brexit (or the EU) is here to stay in politics

Abstract

Despite disparate attempts in both Conservative and Labour circles to get 'beyond Brexit', last week's series of local and regional elections across the UK were all about Brexit, in one way or another. Brexit is both a sign of a political realignment that has been a long time coming and has exacerbated it. It will reverberate down the elections cycles, whether politicians and voters like it or not, just like the relationship with the EU plays a role in other European countries. Even outside the EU, Britain will still have to deal with it, as has become clear so far in Jersey, Northern Ireland and soon, possibly in Scotland, where the EU lure might play a role in a future independence referendum.