The Failure of Remain: Anti-Brexit Activism in the United Kingdom

The Failure of Remain is the first comprehensive study of the UK's grassroots anti-Brexit movement, assessing participants' ideologies, arguments, and strategies. It found that while the movement mobilized a large number of pro-European citizens, its impact was limited by weak links to political elites, divisions between organizations and activists, and the absence of a clear stance on the UK's relationship with the European Union.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 15 January 2023
Publisher: McGill-Queen's University Press

The decision of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union, commonly referred to as "Brexit," has garnered significant attention from scholars and researchers. This decision has primarily been studied from two perspectives: the role of politicians and political parties on one hand, and the characteristics of "Leave" and "Remain" voters on the other. However, there has been a lack of comprehensive analysis of the grassroots anti-Brexit movement that emerged in the aftermath of the June 2016 referendum.

"The Failure of Remain" is a groundbreaking book that seeks to fill this gap by providing a comprehensive study of the UK's grassroots anti-Brexit movement. Authored by Adam Fagan and Stijn van Kessel, this book offers a unique perspective on the movement, which emerged in the weeks and months following the referendum. It was the most significant and wide-scale mobilization of pro-European support that the UK had ever witnessed.

In "The Failure of Remain," Fagan and van Kessel examine the ideologies, arguments, and strategies of participants in the anti-Brexit movement. They draw upon a wealth of evidence, including first-hand interviews with anti-Brexit activists, an original survey of these activists, and an analysis of their campaign materials. Through their research, the authors conclude that while the anti-Brexit movement was successful in mobilizing a large number of pro-European citizens, its impact was limited by several factors.

Firstly, the movement lacked strong links to political elites and institutions. This lack of institutional support hindered its ability to influence policy decisions and shape public opinion. Secondly, there were divisions between different organizations and activists within the movement, which made it difficult to coordinate efforts and develop a unified message. Thirdly, the movement lacked a clear stance on the UK's relationship with the European Union, which made it challenging to appeal to a broad range of voters.

In the context of ongoing debates about the future direction. direction of European integration, "The Failure of Remain" provides valuable insights into the difficulties of formulating effective pro-European arguments. The book highlights the need for a more nuanced and comprehensive approach to promoting European integration that addresses the concerns of both pro- and anti-European citizens. It emphasizes the importance of building strong alliances between grassroots movements, political parties, and institutions to create a more inclusive and effective pro-European movement.

Overall, "The Failure of Remain" is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of the grassroots anti-Brexit movement and the challenges facing pro-European advocates in the post-Brexit era. By providing a comprehensive analysis of the movement's ideologies, arguments, and strategies, the book offers valuable insights into the future direction world of European integration.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780228014133