Old Newscast: Inside The Brexit Campaigns (Part 1)

In this episode of Old Newscast, the focus is on the 2016 Brexit referendum, a landmark event in British politics. Craig Oliver, who led the Remain campaign, and Matthew Elliott, co-founder of Vote Leave, share their insights and experiences from that tumultuous period. They reminisce about the lead-up to the referendum, discussing the political strategies, internal tensions, and the key personalities involved, including David Cameron and Boris Johnson.

Oliver recounts how he transitioned from a role at Downing Street to join the Remain campaign, emphasizing the difficulties in organizing a coherent strategy. Elliott reflects on establishing Vote Leave and the challenges faced in uniting different factions within the Leave movement. They discuss the significance of key events, such as Cameron's renegotiation attempts with the EU and the moments leading up to the campaign's launch.

Throughout the conversation, both speakers express their reflections on the emotional landscape of the campaign, the media's role, and the challenges posed by rival factions. They touch upon the inaccuracies and assumptions made during the campaign, ultimately leading to their predictions for the referendum's outcome and the immediate fallout from the decision to leave the EU.