Guardian columnist to host reader Q&A on Brexit anniversary and UK leadership transition
The session marks the decade since the UK voted to leave the European Union, while also addressing speculation surrounding Andy Burnham’s potential succession to Keir Starmer.
The Guardian has announced that columnist Rafael Behr will host a live reader question-and-answer session on 23 June 2026 at 5pm. The event is scheduled to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the United Kingdom’s vote to leave the European Union, providing a platform to examine the long-term implications of Brexit.
While the primary focus of the discussion remains the Brexit anniversary, the scope of the session has expanded to include recent developments in British politics. The Guardian’s announcement notes that readers may wish to direct questions toward the shifting landscape of Westminster, particularly regarding the conclusion of Keir Starmer’s premiership.
Speculation is currently centred on Andy Burnham as the likely successor to Starmer. The source material describes Burnham as looking certain to become the next prime minister, though this remains unconfirmed speculation rather than a formal appointment. Behr will be available to address reader inquiries regarding this potential leadership transition.
The live Q&A is presented as an interactive forum for readers to submit questions in advance. The Guardian has invited the public to sign up and post their queries, which Behr will address during the scheduled broadcast. This format allows for a structured dialogue on both historical policy outcomes and immediate political uncertainties.
The session occurs against a backdrop of significant global events, including the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup. On the same day, France defeated Iraq 3-0 in a weather-disrupted match in Philadelphia, while Argentina secured their Round of 16 spot with a victory over Austria in Dallas. Concurrently, Andrew Sparrow is covering daily developments in Westminster via the politics live blog.