Brexit Brief 165

With this Brief the series reaches its eighth anniversary, having appeared for the first time in December 2015. The Brief was launched to cover the campaign leading to the June 2016 referendum on UK membership of the European Union which, it was confidently predicted would see a ‘Remain’ victory and a final, celebratory Brief!  Instead, rather than celebrating, the Brief has sought to review the era of Brexit, which continues with its entirely negative and divisive impact on the political, economic, and communal life of the island of Ireland, and on the vital relationship with the neighbouring island.

Brexit Brief 165, as always, outlines the ‘State of Play’, beginning with the UK Government offering a financial package to Northern Ireland if there is a return to Stormont, and also highlights the dialogue on Northern Ireland in the House of Commons, news articles, and various meetings that have taken place in recent weeks. The ‘Evolving Debate’ examines UK-EU relations and how the discourse is unfolding with regards to closer links between UK and member states, and Prime Minister Sunak’s stance on the UK ever rejoining the EU.