Britain's Journey Over 14 Years: From Financial Crisis to Covid Challenges

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Exploring the nation's transformation post-financial crisis through Brexit and into the era of Covid, this chapter reflects on the fear and uncertainty instilled by significant events. It discusses the evolution of politics with the formation of a coalition government, subsequent elections, and hints towards changing power dynamics. Additionally, it delves into the changes in Britain beyond politics, considering slow societal shifts akin to the progression of a marriage.

On July 4th Britain will have a general election, one in which is widely expected to result in dramatic losses for the ruling Conservative party. If so, it would bring to an end 14 years of Tory rule. It’s been a turbulent period; the twin catastrophes of Brexit and Covid, set to the grinding and gloomy mood music of the 2008 financial crash. The Economist’s Andy Miller travels up and down the country, to the towns and cities shaped by these events, to get a sense of how Britain is feeling.

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