Brexit
Why Britain Voted to Leave the European Union

The first comprehensive, authoritative study of the political, economic and social forces which led to Brexit and its likely consequences.

Harold D. Clarke (Author), Matthew Goodwin (Author), Paul Whiteley (Author)

9781316605042, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 20 April 2017

272 pages, 50 b/w illus. 21 tables
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.4 cm, 0.45 kg

'The British public does not have a settled view on Europe. … The authors conclude that the British are not unusually racist among Europeans … The British appear easily swayed.' Danny Dorling, The Times Higher Education

In June 2016, the United Kingdom shocked the world by voting to leave the European Union. As this book reveals, the historic vote for Brexit marked the culmination of trends in domestic politics and in the UK's relationship with the EU that have been building over many years. Drawing on a wealth of survey evidence collected over more than ten years, this book explains why most people decided to ignore much of the national and international community and vote for Brexit. Drawing on past research on voting in major referendums in Europe and elsewhere, a team of leading academic experts analyse changes in the UK's party system that were catalysts for the referendum vote, including the rise of the UK Independence Party (UKIP), the dynamics of public opinion during an unforgettable and divisive referendum campaign, the factors that influenced how people voted and the likely economic and political impact of this historic decision.

1. Brexit introduced
2. Campaign prologue
3. Into battle
4. Attitudes to Brexit over time
5. The people's army
6. The rise of UKIP
7. Voting to leave
8. The consequences of Brexit
9. Beyond Brexit.

Subject Areas: Political campaigning & advertising [JPVL], Elections & referenda [JPHF], Constitution: government & the state [JPHC], Comparative politics [JPB]