Relations Between Branches- The Nature Of The Eu, The Political Impact Of The UK’s Decision To Leave, Constitutional Impact Of Leaving Flashcards
The four main features of the EU:
+ It is a customs union.
+ It is a free, single market.
+ It is a partial political union.
+ Some but not all member states are part of a monetary union.
Which principle was the EU based on ?
The principle of four freedoms of single market
European Union (EU)
A political and economic group of European countries.
Four freedoms (of the EU)
The principle of freedom of people, of labour, of capital and of goods and services.
Main feature of EU explained
Customs union
This means that there are no tariffs (import taxes) on any goods and services being traded between member states. It also means that member states cannot have separate trade agreements with countries outside the EU. All external trade agreements apply to all members.a
Main feature of EU explained
Free single market
This means there can be no barriers to the free movement of goods, services, finance, labour or people between member states. Citizens of a member state are also citizens of the European Union and can live wherever they wish within the Union and, broadly speaking, enjoy common citizenship rights.
Main feature of EU explained
Partial political union
There are laws made by the institutions of the European Union which apply throughout the Union. These laws ensure that all members compete on a level playing field using the same laws.
Main feature of EU explained
Most member states are part of the monetary union
This means they use the same currency, the euro.
What were the percentages of those who decided to vote for the UK to leave the EU and remain in 2016?
51.9% voted for the UK to leave the EU
48.1% voted to remain
Resignations over 2016 Brexit
Two prime ministers have been forced to resign over the issue -
David Cameron immediately after the referendum
Theresa May after falling to win parliamentary support for her Brexit deal
Which internal issue did David Cameron and Theresa have due to BREXIT?
Both the governing party and the opposition became deeply divided over the next steps to take, which made it difficult to pass legislation relating to Brexit.
Why was the party divided?
MPs wanted 2 different types of BREXIT
hard and soft
Soft Brexit
The scenario where the UK would keep as close a relationship to the
EU as possible, continuing to be a member of the customs union and single market.
Hard Brexit
The scenario where the UK would leave the customs union and single market and not be subject to EU rules or to decisions handed down by the European Court of Justice. The EU Withdrawal Act and subsequent trade deal with the EU could be considered to be a hard Brexit.
Party’s division over soft or hard Brexit
Some MPs called for a second referendum and others called for a soft Brexit.
Meanwhile, the pro-Brexit faction of the Conservative Party supported a
‘clean break’ or hard Brexit.
Elections post Brexit 2016 referendum?
two subsequent general elections were called in 2017 and 2019, the latter of which restored a Commons majority to the Conservative Party with a mandate to ‘get Brexit done.
When did the EU Withdrawal Act pass?
January 2020
-the EU Withdrawal Act passed
What did the EU Withdrawal Act result in ?
leaving the EUs political institutions
What did the EU and the UK agree to?
The EU and the UK agreed to a trade deal in December 2020, which was subsequently approved by Parliament. A different set of trading arrangements will exist for Northern Ireland.
Following changes in relation to the UK :
-Eu court of justice
-increasing divide w Scotland
-NI follows many EU laws
-Decision on whether EU law and regulations should be scrapped or transferred
Changes post Brexit
EU Court of Justice
The European Court of Justice will no longer have any jurisdiction in the
UK and will cease to be the highest court of appeal on EU matters.
Changes post Brexit
Increasing divide between Scotland
There may be an increasing divide between Scotland, which voted largely to remain in the EU referendum, and England, which voted to leave, resulting in further calls for Scottish independence.
Changes post Brexit
Northern Ireland
Under the terms of the withdrawal agreement with the EU, Northern Ireland will continue to follow many of the EU’s rules to avoid customs checks on the border it shares with the Republic of Ireland. Therefore, there is now a part of the UK that has a separate trading relationship with the EU.
Changes post Brexit
Parliament and decisions w laws
The UK government and Parliament will, for many years potentially, become preoccupied with deciding whether current EU laws and regulations should be permanently transferred into UK law or scrapped.
Making links of different parts of UK and EU laws
When mentioning how different parts of the UK are having to follow EU rules (Northern Ireland) while others are not,
refer to the democratic deficit, especially since Northern Irish MPs voted against this arrangement.
