Mattelaer, A. (2020). The geographically asymmetric impact of Brexit. In Towards an ambitious, broad, deep and flexible EU-UK partnership? (pp. 61-65). European Policy Centre.

18.06.2020

Alexander Mattelaer

With contributions from Przemysław Biskup, Benjamin Bodson, Andreas Eisl, Elvire Fabry, Agata Gostyńska-Jakubowska, David Henig, Kirsty Hughes, Juha Jokela, Carsten Jung, Rem Korteweg, Alexander Mattelaer, Anand Menon, Jonathan Portes, Nicolai von Ondarza and Alan Wager.

Abstract:

Brexit is an irreversible fact. Everyone will be worse off. But what are the exact ramifications, for the UK, the EU, and the partnership between the two?

This book examines the political, economic, social and institutional implications of the UK’s departure from the EU in different policy fields, including trade, defence and security, foreign policy, judicial cooperation, migration and mobility, as well as its impact on UK politics and EU integration.

Besides thinking through the consequences of Brexit, the authors consider the ongoing negotiations and the possibility of the EU and UK failing to agree on a deal before 31 December 2020. They also look at the dramatic impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and conclude that, given the related health, economic and social crises, the transition period must be extended.

The publication also holds a few lessons on what the EU could and should take away from this experience. As the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, says in the book’s foreword: “We must take the time to listen to our citizens, to understand them, and to provide answers for their concerns. It is too late for the British regions, but it is not too late for the rest of Europe.”

https://euagenda.eu/upload/publications/towards_an_ambitious_broad_deep_and_flexible_eu-uk_partnership_web.pdf.pdf