Democracy Impacts

EC Issues Plan for Keeping Northern Ireland in Customs Union

March 23, 2018

The Guardian reports that, in late February, the European Commission (EC) published a plan for keeping Northern Ireland within the EU customs union, proposing a "common regulatory area" that includes the country within the UK that is departing the EU in 2019 and keeps it under the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the EU.
Article Examines Shift in UK Policy on Post-Brexit Migration

March 23, 2018

An article in The Guardian examines UK Prime Minister Theresa May's policy shift in late February from maintaining a hard line on the rights of migrants arriving in Britain following the official date of Brexit in 2019 to allowing such migrants the same right to permanently settle in the country as those who arrive before that deadline.
Brexit Transition Deal Includes Extension of Free Movement

March 21, 2018

UK and EU negotiators have announced an agreement on a Brexit "transition" arrangement during which Britain would continue to apply EU rules, including those requiring free movement of EU citizens to the UK, for nearly two years after the country's scheduled date of departure from the bloc.
Rees-Mogg Criticizes Brexit Transition Negotiating Paper

March 21, 2018

The Independent reports that head of the UK euroskeptic parliamentary European Research Group Jacob Rees-Mogg recently criticized the plans of British negotiators for a transition period under which the UK would extend its application of EU rules, as the plans did not suggest a time limit and would not shield the UK from the EU principle of free movement.
UK Group Demands Post-Brexit Break with EU Rules

March 20, 2018

Business Insider reports that 62 members of the euroskeptic UK Parliamentary organization the European Research Group have signed a letter to Prime Minister Theresa May calling for her to reclaim immediately after Brexit the authority to negotiate new trade deals and to regain "full regulatory autonomy" with the authority to break from Brussels' rules.
Lord Trimble Dismisses Brexit Threats to UK-Ireland Peace

March 20, 2018

Hugh Bennett writes that Lord Trimble, an architect of the Good Friday Agreement, has dismissed claims that Brexit is threatening the landmark peace deal between the UK and Ireland as "rubbish" and argues that the Irish border issue will only be a problem if EU officials impose trade restrictions between the two countries.
Lawyer Criticizes EU Proposals for Brexit Transition

March 19, 2018

British barrister Martin Howe QC criticizes an EU proposal for a "transition period" between the UK and the supranational bloc that would subject Britain to rulings of a foreign court and to new EU laws and regulations without having a say in their creation after Brexit, arguing that such a transition is not necessary to the ultimate implementation of a UK-EU free-trade deal.
UK MEP Dismisses Proposals for Joining EFTA

March 19, 2018

UK Member of the European Parliament (MEP) David Campbell Bannerman explains flaws in proposals for Britain to join the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) - a trade bloc including Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland - after Brexit, calling instead for striking a trade deal with the EU based on the EU-Canada free trade agreement.
EC Plans Oversight Agency for Labor Rules

March 14, 2018

EurActiv reports that the European Commission (EC) is planning by next year to establish a European Labour Authority with broad powers to resolve labor disputes within the EU and to force national governments to enforce EU rules on transnational labor migration and other employment issues.
UK Official: Staying in EU Customs Union Would Be "Sellout"

March 09, 2018

Politico reports that UK Trade Secretary Liam Fox has argued that remaining in a customs union with the EU, which he says would subject the UK to rules over which it has no say and would prevent the country from negotiating new trade deals, would be a "complete sellout of Britain's national interests."