It is a neatly ironic twist that the 10th anniversary of the Brexit vote should be marked by yet another prime ministerial resignation. The two events are not directly linked, but the rise of Reform UK—Nigel Farage's populist rightwing party that evolved from the Brexit-obsessed Ukip—played a key role in the pressure that forced Keir Starmer to step down.
Seven Prime Ministers in a Decade
The fact that the UK is now set for its seventh prime minister in the ten years since the Brexit vote speaks volumes. The 2016 referendum to leave the European Union deeply fractured the country, which remains volatile and impatient for change. Change has come, but not for the better, as senior economics correspondent Richard Partington explains in a special report. The magazine revisits the buildup to the vote, with key figures recalling how it shook British politics, and includes a quiz on the more arcane sideshows.
Starmer's Exit and Burnham's Rise
Starmer is almost certain to be replaced by Andy Burnham, the former mayor of Manchester. Alexandra Topping profiles the man known as the “king of the north” for his success in regional politics. For an in-depth analysis of Starmer's downfall, Jonathan Freedland's long read in the magazine is essential.
Five Essential Reads
Spotlight: Iran’s regime survived the war, but will it make peace with its people? Saeed Shah reports on whether the conflict with the US and Israel, which triggered rare solidarity, will be used for reform—many doubt it.
Spotlight: Why did Somali children become targets of US drone strikes? Mark Townsend pieces together an incident six months ago where at least 12 people, including eight children, died during a US attack. The US has never admitted the civilian deaths.
Environment: The Biodiversity Heritage Library, an invaluable online archive of historic texts on species living and lost, faces an uncertain future. Donna Ferguson reports on this resource supplied by the world’s leading museums and universities.
Opinion: There is still hope for international law, argues Nathalie Tocci. Even in an age of global rupture, developments in Ukraine and Iran show that military superpowers are not getting it all their own way.
Culture: At 82, Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards remains hale and hearty, enjoying life as a great-grandad and jousting with Mick Jagger. Alexis Petridis caught up with him ahead of a new Stones album launch.
Other Highlights
Pjotr Sauer writes a comic tale of vanity and ambition about Gagik Tsarukyan’s unfinished 101-metre Jesus Christ statue in Armenia, a project that began in 2022 but remains incomplete. The magazine also features audio from Football Weekly’s World Cup Daily, a video on Burnham’s Britain, and a picture essay on Mongolia’s changing face as permafrost thaws.
