Some said Britain’s departure would bring down the union, but countries are still queueing to join Some said Britain’s departure would bring down the union, but countries are still queueing to join O n the night of 23 June 2016, a storm broke out over Brussels. Rain poured and lightning flashed over the European Union headquarters. The next day dawned grey and calm, but the political weather was raging. Britain had voted to leave the EU. Nigel Farage, then leader of the UK Independence party (