It’s been almost a year since Britain voted to leave the EU by 52% to 48%. Since the vote, David Cameron has resigned, Theresa May became prime minister, article 50 was triggered, and the Conservatives lost their majority after calling a snap election earlier this month. EU leaders have described the UK’s opening Brexit offer to protect EU citizens’ rights as vague and inadequate.

The decision has divided the country. Some feel devastated by the UK’s departure from the EU, others feel frustrated that some remainers refuse to accept the outcome.

We asked readers to tell us how they feel about their vote one year on. Here’s what they said.

Chris Horner, 61, retired from the NHS: I voted leave ... it’s impacted my life immensely

I moved to Spain from the UK in February to live with my fiance. I voted leave for sovereignty, UK parliament and UK laws, not EU laws and interference because of the eurozone financial meltdown and immigration.

The vote has impacted my life immensely. The UK government seemed to be set on a hard Brexit which would have a huge impact on my new life in Spain. I am still worried about Brexit, but less so now that the election has forced the government into a less fractious approach to the negotiations. I want a soft Brexit and want EU nationals in the UK to be safeguarded – and people such as me to be seen similarly as a UK national now seeking to be resident in Spain.

Both the leave and remain campaigns were misleading and full of lies. But I would still vote leave, because I believe that the EU was increasingly encroaching on UK sovereignty.

Sophia, 23, Bournemouth, financial sector: I would vote remain again, but have no stomach for further referendums

‘The biggest reason for my vote to remain was to protect our environment.’ Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty Images

The biggest reason for my vote to remain was to protect our environment. The EU has been successful in helping Britain clean up our rivers and beaches, and is making our government accountable for the air pollution crisis in London. I also value the European workers in our NHS and social care. Being part of the EU meant that they could easily work here without expensive and time-consuming visa restrictions.

While I know there are faults with the EU and some undemocratic aspects, I fundamentally could not accept that our Tory government were up to the enormous task of negotiations to leave the EU and we would be worse off out.

There were no influential arguments in either mainstream campaign. Separately, I had taken the time to research the EU and our relationship before coming to my conclusion.

I would vote remain again, but have no stomach for further referendums and such decisions should be made by parliament.

As a young, healthy and financially comfortable person, Brexit has not affected my life yet, though I read more international news sources now.

Ian, 56, Wiltshire, office worker: There’s no need for a second referendum, unless you want a civil revolt

I believe we will be stronger on our own, working to or own laws, trading with whoever we like, not propping up EU states that take out far more than they put in, with better control of our own borders, and not paying for the bloated EU parliament. I believe the true cost of EU migrants is vastly underestimated. No one factors in the added pressure to our housing, roads and general infrastructure.

I would absolutely vote leave again. I’m completely pissed off that many have sought to overturn what was one of the most democratic results we’ve had in this country. Those same people have now, through the election result, weakened the UK’s hand in negotiating with the EU. They will be the first to complain about any negative outcomes. Apparently democracy is OK as long as some people get the answer they want.

There are businesses that rely on cheap labour from EU states, but on the whole we have a lot of migrants either taking jobs, or in some circumstances suppressing wages by undercutting UK workers. Maybe they’re good for businesses but it’s not got for UK workers and tax payers.

When the UK opted to join the common market in the 1970s there were plenty of people who didn’t want to. They had to go with the majority. They also had to sit by as the EU became what it is now. After 40 years we’ve finally been given another chance to vote and we voted leave. There’s no need for a second referendum, unless you want a civil revolt!

It seems the younger generation know next to nothing about life, paying bills, scratching out a living. They think they know more than those of us who have already experienced this. They’ve also never known anything other than being in the EU – they’ve no concept of how great this country was and could be, standing on its own.

Jamie Watt, 29, Dundee, town planner: An independent Scotland in the EU is very attractive

‘Any opportunity to remove ourselves from the backward-looking little England mindset would be welcome.’ Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

I really can’t see the point in leaving the EU. I’ve tried, but it just seems like it will be an enormous amount of effort and upheaval to maybe one day break even economically, but culturally be far worse off. I would vote remain again, and feel a bit of embarrassment when I talk to people across the continent.



For me, an independent Scotland in the EU is a very attractive prospect and trying to align ourselves with other small northern European countries is what we should be trying to achieve. Look at every league table for wealth distribution, education, health, happiness, and the winners are usually small northern European nations with natural resources – sound familiar?!

I feel extremely sad my daughter won’t have the same opportunity to work and travel across the EU in the way I have

Any opportunity to remove ourselves from the backward-looking little England mindset would be welcome. And to join Europe as an active and willing participant. I’m under no illusion that this would be easy and feel sorry for like-minded people across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. They really have no glimmer of hope that there is a way out of what will become an absolute shambles.

Once we leave with no deal in place, we are in for an economic shock that will make the 2008 financial crash look like a carnival. I don’t think people realise the gravity of what’s about to happen to them. The main protagonists in this drama – Michael Gove and Boris Johnson – will feel no pain, and as always it will be the poor, old and infirm that suffer.

I feel extremely sad that my daughter won’t have the same opportunity to work and travel across the EU in the same way I have. This is the biggest tragedy and any opportunity to retain this must be the priority.

Linda Hills, 67, retired, Suffolk: I live in hope of remaining, but it’s probably very unrealistic

I feel European and wanted my grandchildren to be Europeans. I have many European friends living here. I voted remain with my heart and my head. It was a no brainer! I would vote the same again, especially now as Emmanuel Macron leads France forward. I feel left out and very low. I have trouble sleeping and feel gloomy and depressed.

I felt the UK was better to be part of the EU and pushing for any changes from the inside rather leaving. I believe Europe is looking forward not backwards like the US.

We benefit from trading within the EU and we need European nurses, care staff and doctors, and all the foreigners who enrich our lives.

I live in hope that, as things change hour to hour politically at the moment, there may still be a hope. But it’s probably very unrealistic.