Oliver Patel, Research Associate at the UCL European Institute, outlines the legal and practical steps which need to be taken to stop Brexit. He argues that it is possible, but a highly uncertain prospect, noting that there would need to be majority in parliament for a second referendum, as well as a decisive shift in public opinion. Stopping Brexit is possible, but it’s complicated. I’m … Continue reading Brexit: is it possible to stop it?

In a report published last week, Oliver Patel assesses the EU’s institutional and strategic approach to the Brexit negotiations, and considers what the EU wants from the process. Here, he summarises the core points of the paper and outlines how the UK has been outflanked by the EU’s negotiating tactics thus far. October’s European Council summit represented ‘more of the same’ for the Brexit process. Although EU leaders … Continue reading The EU’s negotiating strategy has worked so far, but it’s playing a risky game

Last week’s rejection of May’s Chequers plan was widely viewed as rendering ‘no deal’ more likely, but that’s not necessarily the case, argues Oliver Patel, Research Associate at the UCL European Institute. Theresa May’s Chequers plan was emphatically rejected by the EU last week. This was predictable, given that it violates the EU’s principal red line: preserving the integrity of the single market. May’s response … Continue reading Although fraught with obstacles, a Brexit Deal is still on the cards