It was all a dream: there was no way to stop Brexit | David Runciman

For remainers who felt the EU referendum had broken politics, only a second could repair it. But this was a mistake

Until quite recently, many people fervently believed this day would never arrive. Just over three months ago, Brexit finally seemed to have pushed British politics to the brink of a nervous breakdown. There were tears and tantrums in parliament. There were petitions and protests outside. A litany of lawsuits was waiting in the wings to derail the whole process. Ardent remainers felt they were tantalisingly close to stopping Brexit altogether. The future looked wide open.

From a second referendum to a government of national unity, from toppling over the cliff edge to beating a full retreat, almost anything appeared possible. Yet here we are – one day after formally leaving, just as the British people decided on 23 June 2016 – and all that is gone. What happened? Were the last four years a mirage?

Related: We remainers must now aim for Britain to do well – and the EU even better | Timothy Garton Ash

Related: Independence Day will expose Brexit as a ruse to free an imaginary nation | Fintan O’Toole

Related: We leave the EU tonight – but Europe is still alive in people’s hearts | Gaby Hinsliff

Continue reading...