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This book studies the developments of the Brexit process between June 2016 and June 2017. The British electorate's decision to leave the European Union in June 2016 marks a major point in post war British politics, for it overturns the core policy of all preceding British governments since the early 1960s. The referendum brought down one Prime Minister, David Cameron, and bequeathed to his successor, Theresa May, the considerable challenge of negotiating the UK's departure from the EU. The magnitude of the task is colossal. While the time frame to secure the terms of the exit is short, the exact form of Brexit remains unclear to this day.
With this book the author sets the context for the negotiations. He introduces the actors and the negotiating teams and highlights the key issues and considerations of both sides. While some works just focus on the interplay between Brussels and London, neglecting the internal regional dimension and the role and interests of the devolved administrations in the negotiations, the author looks specifically at Northern Ireland, the part of the UK that will be affected most by Brexit - in terms of both its economic and political significance.
The book concludes with consideration of the impact of the 2017 general election on the negotiations. It will be of interest to students, scholars, policy makers and the wider reader interested in British politics and the future of the EU.
List of contents
Chapter 1: Leaving Europe.- Chapter 2: Understanding Europe.- Chapter 3: Planning for Brexit, July-2016 to March 2017.- Chapter 4: Negotiating Brexit: The UK Position, Actors and Objectives.- Chapter 5: Wrestling with Europe: Assessing the Response and Positions of the European Union's Actors.- Chapter 6: Maintaining Europe? The View from Northern Ireland.- Conclusions: A Union in Crisis and a Union United?.
About the author
Lee McGowan is Professor of Comparative European Politics and Jean Monnet Chair in European Integration in the School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics at Queen’s University Belfast, UK.
Summary
Analyses the Brexit process between June 2016 and June 2017
Contrasts key issues during the negotiations for both the UK and the EU
Gives an outlook on the fate of both unions after Britain’s exit
