What was the model of UK-EU relations after Brexit?
What is the opposition to adopting the Swiss model for UK-EU trade relations?
What has been the status of small businesses in the UK after Brexit?
How has the level of support for Brexit been among the British in recent months?
What are the disputes between the UK and the EU over Northern Ireland?
The new UK government, led by Rishi Sunak, wants to reorganize relations with the EU in the post-Brexit era and choose the Swiss style as an example, which some statesmen are against them. UK-EU relations after Brexit have been disappointing.
The model of UK-EU relations after Brexit
The UK-EU relations after Brexit have challenges. After Brexit, the UK is looking for a model to shape relations with the EU in the future, especially at the economic level. Because this exit particularly hard hits many small companies. Therefore, the country is looking for positive models. According to the British media, the UK government wants to reorganize relations with the EU and choose Switzerland as an example. Under Rishi Sunak, UK’s new prime minister wants to push for smooth trade underpinning Switzerland’s relationship with the EU, The Independent reported.
Objections to the adoption of the Swiss model for business relations
The UK-EU relations after Brexit have always been tense. This country in the Alps enjoys privileged access to the internal market of the EU. On the other hand, EU citizens can immigrate to Switzerland without significant obstacles. Of course, Steve Barclay, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, is against adopting the Swiss model for relations with the EU. “I don’t recognize this story at all,” Barkley told Sky News. “I don’t support that. I want to maximize the opportunities that Brexit offers.”
The dire economic situation of the UK
Based on the Swiss model, UK-EU relations after Brexit have their opponents and supporters. Simon Clarke, the former British minister, expressed similar opposition. He said on Twitter that he hoped and believed that a Swiss-style deal “isn’t under consideration”. We finally settled the issue of leaving the EU in 2019. The UK is in dire economic terms. Swati Dhingra, the Bank of England’s newest interest rate-setter, told MPs: “It’s undeniable now that we’re seeing a much bigger slowdown [in trade] in the UK compared to the rest of the world.”\
UK minor business damage from Brexit
The UK-EU relations after Brexit has not been good and have caused damage to businesses. His colleague Catherine Mann also said that small businesses would be hit hardest by Brexit, as more documentation would be required for exporters and importers. These conditions also fuel inflation. The inflation rate in the UK is 11.1%. British Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt recently said that the British economy is currently in recession. Economic production is expected to decrease by 1.4 percent in 2023. The BoE is concerned that the downturn could last for years.
Reduced Brexit support
The UK-EU relations after Brexit have reduced support for Brexit. The latest poll results show that support for Brexit in the UK has reached its lowest point. In this way, almost two years after the final exit of the UK from the EU, support for Brexit has reached its lowest level. 56% of British people consider Brexit a mistake, YouGov announced in London on Thursday. In contrast, the approval of this project has decreased to 32%. This is the most considerable difference measured so far.
The British regret Brexit
The poll results show that of those who voted to leave in the 2016 referendum, only 70% still held to their opinion at the time, which is lower than ever before. The UK left the EU at the end of January 2020. As of January 1, 2021, the country is no longer a member of the EU customs union and the internal market. This has caused significant economic problems in this country. Trade with the EU was significantly reduced because, despite the comprehensive agreement, tariffs are necessary for some areas, and bureaucracy has increased very overall.
A shortage of skilled workers in the UK
As it is more expensive and time-consuming for EU citizens to come to work in the UK, the shortage of skilled workers has also increased. Even conservative politicians and Brexit supporters have repeatedly criticized its implementation. In the 2016 Brexit referendum, 51.9% of participants voted to leave the EU, and 48.1% voted to remain in the EU. Brexit supporters are now in the minority, according to polls.
UK’s problems in the post-Brexit period
The UK became the first country to leave the EU after more than 40 years of membership. The complete withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU took place on January 31, 2020. The UK did not have a good time in the post-Brexit era and faced many issues and problems, especially in the economic field. Disputes about Brexit continued between London and Brussels after its implementation.
Conflicts between the UK and the EU over Northern Ireland
Disputes between the UK and the EU over various issues, including the Northern Ireland Protocol, remain unresolved. After leaving the EU and the single market of this region, the UK has faced severe problems in sending goods to Northern Ireland, which is part of its territory but is subject to EU trade rules and has repeatedly requested renegotiations of the Northern Ireland Protocol. Brexit had dire economic consequences for the UK, leading to higher costs, more bureaucracy, delays at borders, and shortages in supply chains and logistics.
More damage to the UK than EU members
According to Swati Dhingra, a member of the monetary policy committee of the Bank of the UK, European countries are now facing an increase in the cost of living and an energy crisis caused by Western sanctions against Moscow. The UK has suffered more than other countries due to its exit from the EU bloc. She revealed that Brexit increased food prices by 6% and caused British workers to lose almost 2.6% of their wages in real terms.
The biggest economic crisis in recent decades
The UK is facing the most significant economic crisis in recent decades. These problems are such that inflation has increased significantly, and experts believe that unemployment will increase considerably in the next few months. The UK is facing severe economic challenges and issues that UK Government cannot solve quickly. The failure of four prime ministers in the last six years is also the result of these economic-political challenges in which the UK is caught.
Liz Truss could not last more than 45 days because she had made economic promises to improve the conditions of the UK and was unsuccessful in implementing them. She realized that remaining in the prime minister position would not eliminate this crisis and would deepen the split in the conservative party. Rishi Sunak faces the same challenges as Liz Truss.
