London Exceptionalism and the Challenge of Brexit

London exemplifies the divisions exposed by the EU referendum and the challenge facing the government led by Theresa May in pursuing a strategy for the UK as a whole. But the economy of London is too important to be sacrificed because of the failures of the British political system. Its interests must be at the heart of negotiations and protected even if that means disappointing Leave voters. This article discusses the exceptionalism of the capital and what significance it holds for economic and political stability. It considers the importance of London in the negotiations. Fundamentally it is a commentary of current events and an attempt to understand what is happening and could happen as a result of the referendum rather than the in-depth academic analysis which, for now, will have to wait.