Brexit News

The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020 and has now entered an 11-month transition period. During this period the UK effectively remains in the EU's customs union and single market and continues to obey EU rules. However, it is no longer part of the political institutions. So, for example, there are no longer any British MEPs in the European Parliament. Future trade deal The first priority will be […]

Britain's membership of the European Union came to an awkward end last week after the UK's representative to the bloc was told by his opposite number from another member state: 'Good riddance.' The remark was made to Sir Tim Barrow by Irena Andrassy, Croatia's permanent representative in Brussels, during Sir Tim's final pre-Brexit meeting with EU counterparts. However, the exchange was apparently the result of a misunderstanding of the British phrase which Ms […]

Brexit is – allegedly – done. The UK is no longer a member state of the European Union, so in this sense at least, the outcome of the 2016 referendum has finally been honoured. But how done is “done”? And what happens next? While Brexit to date has hardly been easy, a new report by the UK in a Changing Europe shows that much of the real work still lies ahead. First, […]

The UK has pledged to be a champion for free trade in its first independent speech given at the World Trade Organization (WTO), having moved away from the EU bloc after Brexit Day last Friday. The move – first revealed by City AM two weeks ago – saw ambassador Julian Braithwaite take the seat next to his US counterpart, with plans for him to “play a full role in negotiations in matters relating […]

People who voted Leave in 2016 do not believe the UK should insist on its own regulatory regime after Brexit, but want certain standards maintained after transition, a new survey has found. Yesterday Prime Minister Boris Johnson made much of the UK government’s plan to reject the EU’s insistence of a level-playing field, saying: “There is no need for a free trade agreement to involve accepting EU rules on competition […]

Britain has left the European Union. More than three years after Britons voted to sever ties with the bloc, Brexit has happened. So that is it, right? No more negotiations, debates and votes? Not quite - 31 January merely marked the end of the first stage of the process. What is left to sort out? Britain has worked out the terms of its exit from the EU - Prime Minister […]

Former European Council president Donald Tusk says Brussels feels "empathy" towards an independent Scotland joining the European Union. Nicola Sturgeon has said an independent Scotland would seek full EU membership. When asked if this would be looked upon favourably, Mr Tusk said there would be enthusiasm but he warned the country would not be automatically accepted. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab warned the comments could encourage "separatist tendencies" in the EU. […]

Customs checks will not be stepped up if the UK gets its way in trade deal talks with Brussels, the foreign secretary has suggested. Dominic Raab told Sky News it would be the EU’s fault if businesses end up needing to fill out more paperwork or submit to more inspections of goods crossing at the border. He was quizzed ahead of a major speech by Boris Johnson on Monday - […]

Boris Johnson has set out his vision for a trade deal with the EU, saying there is "no need" for the UK to follow Brussels' rules. The PM called for a Canada-style free trade deal, saying the UK would return to the Withdrawal Agreement if such a deal was not reached. But the EU's Michel Barnier said its "ambitious" trade deal offer required a "level playing field". Labour said Mr […]