Brexit and its Aftermath

The British referendum on the membership of the European Union on 23 June 2016 was a cataclysmic event in British and European politics. Years later the consequences are still unknown. This collection seeks to answer the key questions relating to the consequences of Brexit and the future of Britain. Will Brexit affect the British constitution? Is Brexit likely to lead to the breakup of the UK – with Scotland and Northern Ireland seeking independence? How will Covid-19 delay lingering political questions brought on by Brexit?These key questions and more, relating to both domestic and foreign policy, are answered by a range of contributors including expert academics, policy-makers and Members of Parliament and addresses both European and British policy-making.

When campaigning in the 2019 election, Boris Johnson vowed to 'Get Brexit done', which is what he now claims to have accomplished. Yet despite the fact that Britain has 'left Europe', Brexit is a process not a single event, and that process is far from complete. There are unresolved issues concerning the unity of the United Kingdom. There are more negotiations to be concluded in Brussels, on matters as vexed and complex as the Northern Ireland border. There are trade agreements which the United Kingdom must try to reach with many countries around the world. And the full impact of Brexit on Britain, and also on the EU, will not be clear for many years. This book, containing essays by many distinguished scholars, and some who have been in the front line of politics and diplomacy, explores in detail many of these unfinished Brexit matters. The first part looks at the United Kingdom, and considers the impact of Brexit on the constitution, on Scotland, on Northern Ireland and on the UK's financial sector. The second part explores Britain's position in the wider world, in terms of its international trade policy, and its evolving relations with the United States, France, Germany and the EU as a whole. These are wise, balanced and stimulating essays, and they make this book essential reading as the unfinished Brexit story continues to unfold., Sophie Loussouarn has assembled a deeply talented set of authors to analyse the repercussions of Britain’s exit from the EU. Brexit has swept like a tornado through Britain’s politics and society with serious consequences. The breakup of the United Kingdom remains a strong possibility with far reaching implications but at the same time the authors identify opportunities for the UK both in Europe and the wider world. Brexit and its Aftermath is a must read for anyone who wants to keep up with this fast moving process and its global impact.

Sophie Loussouarn is Associate Professor in British Studies at the University of Amiens, France.