How Brexit dis-united the Kingdom

Some stories stay with you forever. For me, the Brexit referendum result is one of them.

On the night of June 23, 2016, when voting had closed and before the results were announced, like many journalists covering the vote, I was preparing for what most polls and political commentators expected would be a victory for the Remain campaign. Then, in the early hours of June 24, the picture changed dramatically.

Britain had voted to leave the European Union.

Even to journalists trained to report events objectively, the result came as a shock. As soon as the outcome became clear, I headed straight to Parliament Square to start livestreaming. There was no time to dwell on the result — I needed to be where history was unfolding.

Armed with nothing more than a mobile phone, my colleagues and I launched what was one of the very first live streams produced by the whole China Daily group.

The atmosphere outside Parliament was unforgettable. The divide could not have been clearer.

I saw people in tears. Some were devastated, fearing the United Kingdom was turning its back on Europe and worrying about the future of the economy, trade, immigration and the country's place in the world.

Others were equally emotional, but for the opposite reason. They celebrated what they believed was the restoration of British sovereignty after years of campaigning by politicians. For them, Brexit represented a new beginning.

Many of those I interviewed worried about leaving the EU's single market, the customs union and the uncertainty surrounding travel, visas and business. Others insisted that any short-term pain would be worth the long-term gains.

Now, more than a decade later, I have continued living in Britain and have been able to witness the consequences.

The country has neither experienced the catastrophe predicted by some supporters of Remain nor fully delivered the promises made by many advocates of Leave. Brexit has changed everyday life for Britons in subtle but noticeable ways, like joining the queue for non-EU visitors at many European borders.

One of Brexit's most enduring legacies remains the status of Northern Ireland. While the Windsor Framework adopted in 2023 has eased many of the practical trade problems by avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland, Northern Ireland's unique trading arrangements with Europe continue to distinguish it from the rest of the UK, and the issue remains politically sensitive.

Public opinion has evolved. Opinion polls suggest that many younger Britons would favor closer ties with the EU, with some even supporting rejoining.

With Prime Minister Andy Burnham now leading the country, attention is once again turning to the future of UK-EU relations. Whether that means deeper cooperation or simply a more pragmatic partnership remains to be seen.

For me, June 24, 2016, will always be remembered as the day I witnessed a nation divided, emotional and uncertain about its future.