CA, US & World
Hastings Reflects on Decade of Brexit
HASTINGS, England — The United Kingdom marked a somber milestone on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, as the country reached the 10th anniversary of the historic referendum vote to leave the European Union. A decade after nearly 34 million citizens cast their ballots in the deceptively simple leave or remain vote, deep socio-economic divisions continue to persist across British coastal towns. In communities like Hastings, an historic fishing hub located closer to France than London, the sweeping promises of reclaiming territorial waters and revitalizing local commerce have largely failed to materialize for the working class.
The small but culturally significant British fishing industry served as a central flashpoint during the intense political debates leading up to the 2016 vote. Many independent mariners overwhelmingly backed the leave campaign under the impression that national sovereignty would grant them exclusive access to local fishing grounds and untether them from European regulatory quotas. However, a decade of post-Brexit reality has replaced that initial optimism with regulatory gridlock. Responding to the anniversary, local deckhand Lucy Philips noted that the divorce from the European Union brought nothing but administrative complications, severely hindering freedom of movement, commercial imports, and regional maritime exports.
For long-time local fishermen like Roland Kelly, who openly supported the separation a decade ago, the outcome has been a definitive failure for the industry. Kelly explained that rather than providing economic liberation, the administrative burden on small fleets has increased threefold, making the cross-Channel export of fresh catches incredibly difficult and costly. The political fallout from the referendum has also kept the broader British government in a state of near-perpetual instability, with the nation cycling through multiple prime ministers over the last ten years as successive administrations struggled to manage the long-term economic hangover of leaving the single market.
The sentiment on the streets of Hastings remains highly emotional, illustrating how the vote was as much about British cultural identity as it was about international macroeconomics. While some residents maintain that exiting the bloc was the right sovereign choice, a growing number of community members express regret over the long-term consequences. Younger generations who grew up entirely within the post-Brexit economy note that daily life has become significantly harder and more expensive due to inflation and trade barriers. Ten years later, as the emotional embers of the vote continue to burn, the consensus among many former leave voters is that they would choose differently today given the harsh economic realities of a divided Britain.
Explore NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the valley.
By: NBC Palm Springs
June 23, 2026
Latest Instagram Posts
At the annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, first responders, families and community members came together to honor the lives lost—and the heroes who answered the call 25 years ago on September 11, 2001. Two first responders who responded to opposite sides of the World Trade Center met for the first time at the event, sharing a powerful moment of remembrance and connection. 26 flights. Three times. One enduring message: Never Forget. #NeverForget #September11 #911Memorial #MemorialStairClimb #FirstResponders HonorAndRemember 911
Palm Desert’s future takes center stage next week. The Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce presents the 2026 State of the City Address & Luncheon on Friday, September 18, at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort. The event brings together local business leaders, community members and city stakeholders for an inside look at the priorities, opportunities and future of Palm Desert. Friday, September 18 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort Palm Desert Individual tickets are $85 for Chamber members and $95 for non-members. Get the details and registration information from the Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce. #PalmDesert #StateOfTheCity #CoachellaValley #PalmDesertBusiness #GreaterPalmSprings #PalmDesertChamber
25 years later, the memories of 9/11 remain vivid for the firefighters who witnessed the tragedy firsthand. A longtime FDNY firefighter reflects on the trauma, loss and moments that have stayed with him a quarter-century after the attacks. #911 #September11 #NeverForget #FDNY #Firefighter #911Anniversary #25YearsLater #NewYorkCity #Remembering911 #NBCTPalmSprings
A troubling history is coming to light in a Palm Desert husband’s death. 65-year old Vicky Kim is accused in the death of her husband — but prosecutors say she had previously faced several domestic violence cases involving him. The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office says it had secured protective orders against Kim before a judge later resolved her cases as misdemeanors, released her from custody and terminated those orders. Now, Kim is expected to be arraigned in connection with her husband’s death. Court records allege the weapon used was a flagpole.
☕️🔥 How hot is TOO hot? A new study finds that drinking scalding-hot beverages may be linked to nearly 3 times the risk of esophageal cancer—the most common type of cancer affecting the esophagus. The takeaway? Let that coffee, tea or other hot drink cool down before taking a sip. ❤️ #HealthNews #EsophagealCancer #CancerRisk #HotBeverages #Coffee #Tea #CancerAwareness #HealthyHabits #HealthTips
☕️ Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. The squishy craze!
Coachella city council unanimously approved an anti-nepotism rule that ban an any Councilmember from appointing a family member or household member to the city’s commissions and committees. Tune in to our 11 p.m newscast as our @newsbyalondra breaks down the policy.
An anti-nepotism rule will be discussed and voted on at tonight’s Coachella City Council meeting - that would ban city council members from appointing their own family members or household members to commissions and committees. Tune in to our 8:30 p.m newscast and our socials and website as our @newsbyalondra brings us the latest details on that final vote.
☕️ Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. What’s your favorite NFL team?
A major cleanup is underway after powerful waves damaged 14 beachfront homes near Capistrano Beach in Orange County. Residents are concerned their homes could remain vulnerable without protective measures in place. Crews are clearing debris, while efforts to bring in protective boulders were delayed by high tide. #California #OrangeCounty #CapistranoBeach #CoastalWaves #Beachfront #WeatherNews