Category: Foreign Policy & Security

Brexit, Foreign Policy & Security

Britain has lost a role, and failed to find an empire

Responding to Theresa May’s long-awaited Brexit speech on Tuesday 17th January, Benjamin Martill, Research Associate at the UCL European Institute, argues that the speech must be understood as an aspiration, rather than a roadmap, since its realisation requires the consent of other parties and the removal of important contradictions. In her long-awaited ‘Brexit speech’, Theresa May set out a comprehensive vision for the future of Britain … Continue reading Britain has lost a role, and failed to find an empire

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Brexit, Foreign Policy & Security

Fear Trumps Fact

The Brussels attacks have been used by both sides of the Brexit debate to claim that the UK is either more or less secure as a result of EU membership. Richard Whitman, Professor of Politics and Senior Fellow at The UK in a Changing Europe , argues that rhetoric has played a greater role for both sides than evidence-based claims. The Brussels airport and Metro bombings were … Continue reading Fear Trumps Fact

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Brexit, Foreign Policy & Security

Defence on the Brexit frontline

Richard Whitman, Senior Fellow at The UK in a Changing Europe and Professor of Politics, argues that the UK has shown little interest of late in enhancing military cooperation with Europe, preferring to work through NATO instead. Would a vote for Brexit change that? This piece is part of the UCL European Institute’s first guest editor week on openDemocracy. Britain’s former field marshals, generals, admirals and lieutenant generals have been deployed on … Continue reading Defence on the Brexit frontline

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Brexit, Foreign Policy & Security

Post-Brexit, would Whitehall be able to rise to the challenge of negotiating the best possible deal?

Much will be expected of the civil service if Britain votes to leave the EU. Every Whitehall department and diplomats in Brussels will be embroiled in complex negotiations to thrash out a series of new relationships. Without additional resources and expertise, the UK’s ability to obtain the best possible deal may be hampered, writes Nicholas Wright, Teaching Fellow in EU Politics at UCL. Following a … Continue reading Post-Brexit, would Whitehall be able to rise to the challenge of negotiating the best possible deal?

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