- Fascinating and clearly written history of the UK’s Brexit conundrum by one of the UK and Europe’s top economic historians.
- Takes the long view of Britain’s economic and political relationship with European countries, from long before the formation of the EU.
- Very detailed analysis of all the issues, so I skimmed over parts of the history that delved into the fine print of often contentious arguments and legalities.
- But the positions of prime ministers Thatcher, Major, Blair, Cameron and May are clearly articulated. Britain’s relationship with European countries has always been fraught while mostly being productive, particularly in the 30 year post WW2 period of peace and prosperity. Britain, and later Ireland, benefited enormously from the open economic arrangements of the Single Market and Customs Union.
- The issues like the Irish Backstop are explored in detail, as are Theresa May’s fraught negotiations with the European Commission.
- How will it all end? There are too many complexities and contradictions that are still unresolved at this point so predictions are impossible.
- But whatever happens this drama has quite a few acts to unfold in the years to come.
No comments:
Post a Comment