The vote to leave the European Union on 23 June 2016 marked the start of a tumultuous period in British politics. The government was set on a collision course with parliament over what Brexit really meant. The civil service began to untangle 43 years of EU membership, building up new capabilities and preparing for new responsibilities. And the Brexit effect placed the United Kingdom under huge strain – with growing support for independence in Scotland and a new border in the Irish Sea.

What impact has the referendum had on the governance of the UK? Has control really returned to parliament, or to the government? And what does Brexit mean for the future of the union?

To mark five years since the end of the referendum, the Institute for Government brought together people who were either involved in, or had front-row seats to, this remarkable period in British politics.

On the panel were:

• Katy Balls, Deputy Political Editor at The Spectator
• Luke Graham, former MP for Ochil and South Perthshire, 2017-19, and former head of the Union Unit in No.10
• Lord McDonald of Salford, former Permanent Under Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, 2015-20
• Lisa O’Carroll, Brexit Correspondent at The Guardian

The event was chaired by Maddy Thimont Jack, Associate Director at the Institute for Government.

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