A Nation Divided

Abstract

This chapter sketches the UK as a country that is divided and riven by inequality, regional differences, and tensions between generations. It refers to the Brexit referendum s exposure of deep rifts in British society which show subterranean messages that are more complicated than the simple question of in or out of the EU. It also reviews issues that have been lumped together as symptoms of a Broken Britain – a failed society. The chapter explains how the UK is at odds with itself and split along many fault lines, such as North versus South, the rich and the comfortable middles classes versus the not so well off and the downright poor, town against country, and young versus old. It mentions parts of the UK that saw the referendum outcome as an opportunity to end the Union and strike out in a different direction.