Description
10 years on from Brexit – is it time we rejoined the EU? With Madeleina Kay and Peter Heaton-Jones. How can we disagree well about the UK's future? In this episode of The Bridge: A Disagreeing Well Podcast from UCL and Students’ Union UCL, we examine the long-term impact of Brexit 10 years after the referendum.
While the past decade has brought significant shifts in trade, immigration, and sovereignty, the debate remains deeply polarised. Some view the current economic landscape as proof that the decision was a mistake, while others maintain that Britain is only beginning to find its feet as a sovereign nation. In this episode of The Bridge we dive into the heart of this divide. We explore the practical realities of rejoining the bloc versus the potential risks of entering another decade of political instability. UCL student host Diego Lacheze-Beer facilitates a conversation between two guests who both recognize the challenges of the last decade but disagree profoundly on the road ahead:
- Madeleina Kay, artist, campaigner, and Youth Engagement Officer for the Young European Movement, argues that Brexit has disproportionately damaged the prospects of young people. She advocates for a step-by-step alignment with the EU, viewing full membership as the ultimate path to a better future.
- Peter Heaton-Jones, a former Conservative MP and public affairs professional, voted to remain in 2016 but now believes rejoining would be "nonsensical" and damaging. He suggests that the UK can reclaim many benefits, such as youth mobility and research collaboration, through specific negotiations without the "protracted process" of rejoining.
- Our resident UCL expert mediator, Dr. Melanie Garson, utilised techniques to help the guests look past the "remain vs. leave" labels to find the underlying values at play.
Listen now to hear how we can bridge the generational and political divide over Britain's place in Europe. This production was led by UCL student presenters, Diego Lacheze-Beer and Marva Khalid, who are participants on Students’ Union UCL’s Impartial Chairs Programme. Find out more about the programme and, if you are a UCL student, how you can apply here. This is a Research Podcasts production.
Episode Credits
Presenter: Diego Lacheze-Beer, Students’ Union UCL Impartial Chair
Guests: Madeleina Kay and Peter Heaton-Jones
Producer and editor: Research Podcasts
Music: The Investigation by Pixabay
Artwork: Johnson Banks and Indianna Dimmer
Image thumbnail credits: Madeleina Kay, The Constitution Society