Introduction

Question 1

As of 2025, the UK and EU face shared security and economic challenges, leading to a potential ‘reset’ in their relationship. While full reintegration (such as rejoining the single market) is off the table, pragmatic cooperation is likely to grow in key areas like ….

Answer 1

defense, energy security, and migration.

Question 2

What are three key areas of enhanced cooperation in defense?

Answer 2

🔹 NATO collaboration – While the UK and EU are both NATO partners, deeper bilateral and multilateral cooperation (e.g., joint exercises, intelligence sharing) is likely.

🔹 Sanctions against Russia – The UK has maintained a strong anti-Russia stance, closely aligned with the EU’s sanctions framework. Further coordination may involve financial measures, asset freezes, and cyber-defense initiatives.

🔹 North Sea energy infrastructure security – Growing threats to undersea cables, gas pipelines, and offshore wind farms require joint UK/EU efforts in surveillance and cybersecurity.

Question 3

What is a current challenge in trade and tariffs?

Answer 3

• US import tariffs (trump lol) If trade tensions with the US escalate, the UK and EU may see greater economic alignment as necessary.

Question 4

What are three key areas of negotiation in trade and tariffs between the UK and EU?

Answer 4

🔹 Mutual recognition of professional qualifications – A potential deal where UK and EU professionals can work more easily across borders.

🔹 Fishing rights – The UK and EU have long-standing disputes over fishing waters. A new agreement could balance UK sovereignty with EU access, reducing friction.

🔹 Youth Mobility Scheme – Post-Brexit travel and work restrictions have impacted UK and EU citizens. A mobility scheme (similar to pre-Brexit arrangements) could allow young people to work and study abroad more easily.

Question 5

What is the difference between the UK and EU’s perspective on migration and border control?

Answer 5

💡 UK perspective:

• The UK wants tighter migration controls, but needs EU cooperation on border security, asylum processing, and deportations.
• No return to free movement, but possible bilateral agreements on seasonal workers or skilled labor migration.

💡 EU perspective:

• The EU seeks UK commitment to shared asylum and border management efforts, possibly under an updated Dublin Regulation framework.

Question 6

What and when was Article 50 formally triggered?

Answer 6

Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union provides for a mechanism for the voluntary and unilateral withdrawal of a country from the European Union (EU).

March 29, 2017: Article 50 formally triggered with a letter to Donald Tusk, starting a two-year countdown to Brexit.

Question 7

What three key ‘Divorce’ issues emerged when Article 50 was triggered?

Answer 7

1. Financial settlement (€39bn ‘divorce bill’).
2. Citizens’ rights for EU nationals in the UK and Britons in the EU.
3. Irish border → avoiding a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Question 8

Was Brexit controversial in the Westminster parliament?

Answer 8

Yes, in 2018, 18 ministers resigned over Theresa May’s ‘soft brexit’ plan. This eventually led to huge protests in London demanding a second referendum in 2019, leading to May’s resignation.

Question 9

When and how did Brexit become official?

Answer 9

• March 29, 2017: Article 50 formally triggered with a letter to Donald Tusk, starting a two-year countdown to Brexit.
• The EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018: Repeals the European Communities Act 1972 and requires parliamentary approval for any withdrawal agreement.
• January 23, 2020: UK Parliament ratifies the Withdrawal Agreement Act.
• January 30, 2020: EU officially concludes the withdrawal agreement.
• January 31, 2020 (11 PM): UK officially leaves the EU, entering a transition period.
• December 31, 2020: Transition period ends, UK exits the EU single market and customs union.

Question 10

What is ‘Brovid’?

Answer 10

Brexit + Covid

Question 11

What was the Northern Ireland Protocol (NIP) and what were its consequences?

Answer 11

The protocol ensures that a hard border is avoided on the island of Ireland following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, but led to extra trade checks, angering unionists and sparking political deadlock.

It led to riots in Belfast in 2021 signalling a rise in unionist tensions.

Question 12

What was the Northern Ireland Crisis in 2022?

Answer 12

Paul Givan (DUP) resigns as NI First Minister in protest against the NI Protocol → Stormont collapses, leaving NI without a functioning government.

The NI Protocol was designed to prevent a hard border but led to extra trade checks, angering unionists and sparking political deadlock.

Question 13

Before the referendum, David Cameron attempted to renegotiate the UK’s EU membership to secure a more favorable position within the EU. Four key areas were negotiated. What were they?

Answer 13

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1. Protection of the Single Market & Non-Eurozone Members
   
   • Ensuring that non-euro countries (e.g., the UK) would not be forced to integrate further into the EU’s economic framework.
   • Britain wanted safeguards against being disadvantaged by eurozone policy decisions.
2. Boosting Competitiveness by Cutting EU Regulations
   
   • The UK wanted reduced bureaucratic burdens on businesses and fewer EU-imposed regulations.
3. Increasing National Parliaments’ Powers & Opting Out of ‘Ever Closer Union’
   
   • Britain sought to exempt itself from further European political integration, reinforcing its sovereignty.
   • More power was requested for national parliaments to block EU legislation.
4. Restricting Welfare Payments for Migrant Workers
   
   • The UK pushed for limits on benefits for EU migrants, such as child benefits and in-work tax credits, to deter perceived “benefit tourism.”

These negotiations led to an agreement between Cameron and the EU in February 2016. However, many in the UK, particularly within the Leave campaign, dismissed the deal as insufficient.