Brexit Through the Non-Political Glass (2021)

On 1 January 2021, the UK's transition period with the EU ended and new rules and regulations were agreed at the last minute. This is a time for reflection on the social phenomenon that is Brexit - which has now become a British trademark world-over, alongside the Royal Family, fish and chips and Sherlock Holmes. Brexit Through The Non-Political Glass puts politicians and public sentiments to one side, and seeks the opinions of non-partisan world-class experts - the scholars and professional advisors who specialize in this very topic; no politicians and propagandists, and no social media and populism; among the experts is Vernon Bogdanor, the Oxford tutor of former British prime minister David Cameron, who was consulted before the referendum was offered to the nation; you will hear what his advice was. The documentary also puts this 'latest' Brexit in its historical context - yes, believe it or not, this is not the first Brexit the UK has experienced. The viewers may be surprised to discover that the first Brexit in fact happened 200 years ago, and that the UK had a troubled past in its attempts to join the European Economic Community in the 1960s. Unlike the transient current affairs and news programmes, the 80-minutes documentary takes time to introduce the audience to Brexit's deeper historical meanings and multitude of sociological and cultural drivers which have caused it. This is a unique approach to properly examine one of the most important events of our lifetime.