Introduction: finding a way forward in times of acute uncertainty

The UK's referendum vote to leave the European Union was viewed by many as a political and economic earthquake. After six years in office, David Cameron, the Prime Minister, immediately announced his intention to stand down. He did so as soon as the Conservative party chose Theresa May to replace him. The leadership of the Labour opposition was also thrown into disarray. Notwithstanding the issue of whether to leave or remain in the EU, it was clear that voting patterns were influenced by movements in the underlying social and economic tectonic plates, revealing deep divisions in the UK's social structure. Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England, referred to the decision to leave as likely to lead to ‘an economic post-traumatic stress disorder for households, businesses and markets’. It may well take months, if not years, for the dust clouds of uncertainty to clear sufficiently for a proper evaluation of the political, social and economic consequences to be made. But one immediate result was that the then Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, announced that he would not be able to meet his aim of clearing the deficit by 2020. He was replaced when Mrs May announced her cabinet. Even so, economic austerity measures may well continue at a reduced rate for some years, with implications for the health service, the family justice system and the welfare state in general, particularly if there is a need for the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond MP, to cushion the impacts of Brexit (the British withdrawal from the European Union). In this respect it may be significant that the 33rd British Social Attitudes Survey has produced data to show that since 2010 the number of those in favour of increased taxation and more public spending has grown; at the same time, the number who think that current levels are about right has fallen, as has the number of those who want to reduce taxes and spend less – with almost as many people saying they want to see spending and taxation increase as those who want to see them stay the same.