‘Geldof started flicking Vs at Farage’: the story of the Brexit campaign, told by those with a front-row seat

David Cameron announced the date for the UK's EU referendum as June 23, 2016, fulfilling a promise made in 2013. The following day, Boris Johnson, then the mayor of London, declared his intention to campaign for the Leave side. These events marked the formal commencement of a pivotal period in the UK's political history, leading up to the eventual decision to leave the European Union. The campaign itself was characterized by intense debate and significant moments, including the tragic murder of Jo Cox, a Labour MP who had been a vocal supporter of the Remain campaign. This event cast a somber shadow over the final weeks of the referendum battle. The aftermath saw the resignation of David Cameron, who had led the Remain campaign, and the subsequent rise of Boris Johnson as a key figure in the new political landscape. The five months from February to June 2016 were a period of profound political upheaval, shaping the UK's future trajectory and its relationship with the European Union.