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BREXIT
BRIEF
Brexit Brief Issue 93
3 September 2020
Introduction
The Brief seeks to provide up-to-date information on the progress and content of the UK-EU
negotiations, and bring together relevant statements and policy positions from key players in
Ireland, the UK and the EU.
The Brief is part of a wider communications programme covering the work of the IIEA’s UK
Project Group – including commentaries, speeches, texts and event reports – which are
highlighted on the Institute’s website. (www.iiea.com)
Section One: State of Play favourite line about the ticking clock and even
covering Theresa May’s classic ‘Brexit means
Round Seven of EU-UK Negotiations, Brexit’.” The report concluded “It’s all set up
Brussels, 18-21 August 2020 for a last-gasp dash for a deal in October.
Either that, or no deal at all.”
The seventh round of EU-UK negotiations
took place in Brussels in the week of 18-21 Speaking after a wrap-up dinner with David
August 2020, commencing with a dinner for Frost on Thursday, Michel Barnier said he was
EU Chief Negotiator, Michel Barnier and UK “disappointed, concerned and surprised” by
Chief Negotiator, David Frost, on Tuesday, 18 the lack of progress and that “too often this
August, and ending with statements by the week it felt as if we were going backwards more
two Chief Negotiators on Friday, 21 August. than forwards. I simply do not understand
why we are wasting valuable time.”
Politico commented on Friday, 21 August
2020 that this seventh round of negotiations On the UK side, the Chief Negotiator, David
concluded with “[…] the familiar stalemate Frost, was described, in The Guardian, as
and mutual blame. So familiar in fact, it was striking a more hopeful note in commenting
almost a greatest hits album, with EU chief that “Agreement is still possible and it is still
negotiator Michel Barnier dusting off his our goal, but it is clear that it will not be easy
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to achieve. We have had useful discussions is the theatre, the negotiation, the art
this week but there has been little progress.” of the deal, the EU and UK are holding
out for the best possible arrangement
The talks had addressed the continuing issues in the new socially-distanced, face-
of fisheries, State aid and the level playing field covering world. Each denounces the
but with no breakthrough. The EU continued other side as unreasonable, unfair and
to press for agreement on these issues before uncompromising. A tough tactic which
moving on other areas, including on legal texts. increases the chances of another cliff-
The UK is still seeking to move to a legal text in edge of sorts. As time runs out, and the
areas where the sides are closer together. The coronavirus crisis continues, will they
UK side tabled a draft legal text for a free-trade keep up the act or will the mask slip?
deal – known as a ‘consolidated legal text’ –
merging existing EU and UK drafts. The EU side Statement by Michel Barnier - 21
described the document as “useful” insofar as August 2020
it clarified the UK position but argued that it
failed to take account of the EU ‘red lines’ on The EU Chief Negotiator, Michel Barnier, made a
the level playing field. lengthy Statement, mainly in French, following
the conclusion of the negotiating round.
A particular difficulty has arisen in respect
of a UK demand for wide-ranging access to Key elements of the statement, in an English
the EU for British truckers, with continued language passage, included: the need for a
rights to make pick-ups and drop-offs both Level Playing Field which M. Barnier said “is
inside EU Member States and between them. not going to go away” and referred to as “a
The EU has responded by describing the non-negotiable pre-condition to grant access
UK request as ‘fundamentally unbalanced’ to our market of 450 million citizens, given the
and not providing enough level playing-field UK’s geographic proximity and the intensity of
guarantees. The EU has published a set of level our economic exchanges.” He stressed once
playing-field requirements for road transport again that the EU is seeking no more than what
but has indicated that there might be room for had been agreed in the Political Declaration
concessions since there is a mutual interest in in October 2019, in which the EU and UK
keeping road freight moving. The outcome is of committed to an agreement encompassing
great interest to Ireland since the UK provides “robust commitments to prevent distortions
a ‘land bridge’ for a significant proportion of of trade and unfair competitive advantages”.
Irish exports to continental Europe. This also included continuing to uphold “the
common high standards applicable in the Union
The BBC Brussels Correspondent, Nick Beake, and the UK at the end of the transition period”
wrote that: in the areas of State aid, competition, social
and employment standards, environment,
The whole Brexit drama for the past climate change and relevant tax matters.
four years has been characterised by
extra scenes that weren’t in the script. M. Barnier said that the EU understood the
It seems both sides are locked into UK Government’s concerns about sovereignty
another last-minute power-play, In what and regulatory autonomy, but highlighted
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that all international agreements contain David Frost Statement 21 August 2020
some commitments to common rules, and
outlined that this will be the case for any trade UK Chief Negotiator, David Frost, issued a
agreements the UK chooses to strike with Statement on the outcome. He remarked that
third parties. he believed “agreement is still possible, and
it is still our goal, but it is clear that it will not
He also commented on the lack of progress be easy to achieve” and that “we had useful
on: fisheries, “where we have made no discussions this week, but there has been
progress whatsoever”; governance, “where little progress”. His perspective on the talks
we are still far from agreeing on the essential was that “the EU is still insisting not only that
issue of dispute settlement”; law enforcement we must accept continuity with EU State aid
“where we still struggle to agree on necessary and fisheries policy, but also that this must be
guarantees to protect citizens’ fundamental agreed before any further substantive work can
rights and personal data”; and mobility and be done in any other area of the negotiation,
social security coordination. including on legal texts” which he said “makes
it unnecessarily difficultly to progress”.
He did report some “progress on technical
issues” including on energy cooperation, He concluded by outlining the principles
participation in Union programmes and underlying the UK approach, which include: “a
anti-money laundering, among others. He relationship which ensures we regain control
remarked that this would “be useful when of our laws, borders, and waters, and centred
it comes to consolidating, together, a final upon a trading relationship based on a Free
text - provided we are able to agree on Trade Area like those the EU has concluded
fundamentals first.” The UK had unilaterally with a range of other international partners,
produced a consolidated text for Round Seven. together with practical arrangements for
In his remarks, M. Barnier remarked in French cooperation in areas such as aviation, scientific
that work on consolidated texts could only be programmes, and law enforcement.” He finally
conducted on a mutually agreed basis, on all commented:
subjects in parallel. He concluded his remarks
in English saying: When the EU accepts this reality in all
areas of the negotiation, it will be much
However, too often this week, it felt as easier to make progress. We will continue
if we were going backwards more than to work hard to reach an agreement.
forwards. Given the short time left, what Chief Negotiators and their teams have
I said in London in July remains true: agreed to remain in close contact over the
Today, at this stage, an agreement next two weeks before the next Round in
between the United Kingdom and the London in the week of 7 September.
European Union seems unlikely. I simply
do not understand why we are wasting
valuable time.
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Revised Timetable Agreed for EU-UK accusing the government of “wasting many
Negotiations months when the two sides could have been
making progress toward a deal.”
On 31 July 2020 the EU and UK sides issued an
agreed Addendum to the Terms of Reference The Guardian editorial points out that:
for the future relationship negotiations in order
[…] the reality is that good outcomes in a
to facilitate an accelerated pace of negotiations
trade deal are achieved by the application
after the UK confirmed that it would not agree
of time, attention to detail, experienced
to an extension of the transition period. This
negotiators and a rational appraisal of the
allowed for negotiation rounds in August as
other side’s interests. The UK Government
well as September, which would take place
is deficient on all those metrics. Leaving
in-person where possible, and alternately in
everything to the last minute, testing
Brussels and London.
the fixity of deadlines, is a method that
It also provided for the Chief Negotiators might have worked for Mr Johnson when
and their teams to meet “as necessary in a he was a newspaper columnist, but it is
more restricted format to ensure progress on no way to run a Government.
negotiations” and “specialised sessions […] on
Significantly, Chancellor Merkel has expressed
issues of particular difficulty to ensure parallel
the view that the talks will go down to the
progress is achieved across all work streams.”
wire. The German Presidency of the EU
The new terms of reference allow for additional Council of Ministers has removed ‘Brexit’
meetings of the Chief Negotiators, their teams from the agenda of a scheduled meeting of
and specialised sessions where necessary EU ambassadors on 2 September due to the
to be completed in the weeks of 14 and 21 lack of tangible progress in the negotiations.
September. Two subsequent rounds will take Chancellor Merkel met the French President,
place from 7-11 September in London and the Emmanuel Macron, at his holiday residence on
final round in Brussels, to take place for 28 the Riviera for discussions on the post-Brexit
September until 2 October. future of the European Union. They issued
identical statements calling for ‘concrete
Deadlines and Delays answers’ from the UK on the key issues.
Following the end of the Seventh Round, Informal contacts between the negotiating
commentary has focused on deadlines and teams have taken place since the Brussels
delays. round with a view to seeking real progress in
the 7 September round. The EU is seen to have
Politico highlights the view of a senior EU softened its stance on the State aid regime by
Official that “If we don’t have a breakthrough accepting that a dispute resolution mechanism
in the week of September 7 it’s hard to see independent of the Court of Justice of the
how we can still avoid a disaster. But the European Union could be envisaged. There
prospects of such a breakthrough don’t look is acceptance that both sides must work to a
good at all.” Bloomberg quotes an official timetable that would see agreement on a text
describing the UK’s approach as reckless, by the end of September in time for adoption
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by the European Council on 15-16 October The Prime Minister outlined that the UK
2020. A special meeting of the Council later priority remains “protecting Northern Ireland’s
in October or early November is not ruled out. place in our United Kingdom and preserving
the huge gains from the peace process” and
Taoiseach and Prime Minister meet in underscored the UK’s commitment to meeting
Belfast, 13 August 2020. its obligations under the Protocol on Ireland/
Northern Ireland.
The Taoiseach, Micheal Martin, met the British
Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, in Belfast on 13 The Taoiseach commented on the meeting
August 2020. by way of a Tweet: “Productive and warm
first meeting with PM Boris Johnson. We
Prime Minister Boris Johnson issued a
discussed the impact of COVID-19, the
Statement on the meeting. He reported
evolving approaches to it and supporting the
that he had discussed “the importance of
institutions of the GFA. Crucially, we decided
working together as neighbours to defeat
to develop a new framework for British-Irish
coronavirus” with his counterpart, “including
relations in a post-Brexit world.”
through close collaboration between Ireland,
the UK Government and the Northern Irish Speaking to correspondents, the Taoiseach
Executive.” This included on the need for warned of the need to avoid “a second,
international cooperation on “developing rapid significant systematic shock of a no-deal Brexit”
tests, therapeutics and vaccines”. coming on top of the impact of COVID-19. He
expressed some optimism on the prospect of
The importance of a “sustainable, green
striking a Free Trade Agreement before the
recovery from the economic impact of
end of the transition period on 31 December.
coronavirus” was also discussed and the Prime
He hoped for a productive outcome to Brexit
Minister “stressed the opportunity that lies
talks due to resume later in the month,
ahead for international governments including
remarking:
the UK and Ireland to promote free trade and
invest in environmentally friendly technology.” Where there’s a will there’s a way. It
seems to me there is a landing zone
The Prime Minister also updated the Taoiseach
if that will is there on both sides and I
on “his assessment of the state of play in the
think it is, on the European Union side
UK-EU negotiations”. Prime Minister Johnson
and the British side, to find that landing
“reiterated the UK’s determination to reach
zone. My own gut instinct is we both
a deal” and outlined the UK’s intention to
understand that we don’t need another
continue to “take pride in high environmental,
shock to the economic system that a no-
animal, welfare and labour standards outside
deal Brexit would give or a sub-optimal
the European Union.” However, he also
trade agreement would give to our
underlined that the UK “was not willing to
respective economies across Europe,
make level playing field commitments that
Ireland and of course within Great Britain
went beyond those normally found in a Free
itself alongside the enormous shock that
Trade Agreement” such as CETA.
COVID has already given.
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The Irish Times, on 14 August 2020, Service designed to assist firms in dealing with
commented on the Belfast meeting: digital processes involved in importing goods
into Northern Ireland; £155 million to fund
Brexit will inevitably pose serious development of new technology to ensure
problems for both countries even if there that new processes can be fully digital and
is a relatively benign outcome with a streamlined; £300 million confirmed funding
trade deal between the EU and the UK for the PEACE Plus Programmer to support
by the end of the year. If a deal cannot peace, prosperity and reconciliation projects
be reached the difficulties will be far on the island of Ireland.
worse. Coming on top of the economic
damage inflicted by COVID-19 a no-deal Michael Gove said that the announcement:
outcome is the last thing either country
needs. Either way the implementation […] underlines our absolute commitment
of the Irish protocol governing the to the people and businesses of Northern
economic relationship between Britain Ireland as we move towards the end of
and Northern Ireland has the potential the transition period. Our new Trader
to cause serious strains between the two Support Service will provide vital support
states so they will need to work closely and guidance to traders while our £300
together to ensure that its operation is as million investment in reconciliation
smooth as possible. projects will help to preserver the huge
gains from the peace process and the
The good relationship between Ireland Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement. As we
and the UK that developed in recent continue to engage with businesses and
decades provided the underpinning for our discussions with the EU proceed, we
the efforts of Johnson and Leo Varadkar will update these resources to ensure
to get over the difficulties posed by the that traders are ready for the end of the
Border backstop last year. While Ireland transition period.
is not directly involved in the talks on the
future EU-UK trade relationship, Martin Secretary Lewis commented that:
has a role to play in encouraging goodwill
We recognise the importance of clarity
on both sides.
and certainty for businesses which is why
£650 Million Package for Northern as our discussions with the EU continue,
Ireland the Business Engagement Forum will
remain a vital forum to bring together
A Brexit support and Peace and Reconciliation the UK Government and the Northern
package for Northern Ireland was announced Ireland Executive with businesses across
by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Northern Ireland and their representatives
Michael Gove and the Northern Ireland to make sure they have the information
Secretary, Brandon Lewis, during a visit to they need to support their preparations.
Belfast on 7 August 2020.
We also recognise that the Protocol is
A UK Government announcement gave details about more than maintaining the critical
of the funding: £200 million for a Trade Support economic links that exist across our
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United Kingdom, so I am proud that we From the Irish political point of view, the Irish
have committed to provide £300 million Times comments that “it is worth fighting to
to the PEACE Plus programme which keep the trade role because it is a big job that
does such important work across the is important for Europe but not because the
island of Ireland to promote peace and incumbent will be able to somehow fix things
reconciliation. for Ireland.”
The Chief Executive of Manufacturing NI, Meeting between Michel Barnier and
Stephen Kelly, responded to the announcement David Frost, London 27 July 2020
by welcoming the Government’s decision to
“pick up the bill for customs and related costs” The Chief Negotiators, Michel Barnier and
but insisted that “there is still more to be done David Frost, met in London on 27 July for
including resolving plant and animal health discussions on a number of key issues. Both
issues, VAT and legislating to protect Northern sides signalled that the range of disagreements
Ireland’s position in the UK’s internal market.” between the two sides is narrowing with a
possibility of reaching a deal in September or
Section Two: The Evolving October at the latest.
Debate
Michel Barnier commented that the UK had
EU Trade Commissioner indicated a scaling-back of its aims in the
trade talks to concentrate on achieving a “low-
The resignation of the EU Trade Commissioner, quality, low-profile” agreement which would
Phil Hogan, has led to discussion of provide tariff-and-quota-free access to the
the implications for the on-going Brexit EU market. David Frost confirmed that the UK
negotiations. On the EU side the talks are was prepared to consider “simpler structures”
conducted by the Commission’s EU Task Force for governance of any deal but there was still
for relations with the United Kingdom which a need to agree standalone arrangements
is “in charge of coordinating all the European in areas such as aviation, fisheries and civil
Commission’s work on strategic, operational, nuclear cooperation.
legal and financial issues related to the
United Kingdom’s withdrawal and its future Briefing of Minister for Foreign Affairs
relationship with the European Union.” The
Task Force is led by Michel Barnier. On 26 June 2020, as Government formation
discussions reached finalisation, the
The Trade Commissioner is not directly Department of Foreign Affairs produced a
involved in the current negotiations but 50-page Background Brief to be submitted
provides technical input to the Task Force. to the incoming Minister. In the event, Simon
The Trade Directorate General will have an Coveney TD was reappointed to the position.
important role in managing and enforcing key The Brief dealt in detail with Brexit. The
elements of the any eventual deal, overseeing report indicated the three main “interlocking
the EU-UK trade relationship and, in particular, strands of work” under focus for the Irish
implementing the rules and systems relating Government before the end of the transition
to Northern Ireland. period: “(i) negotiations on the future EU-
UK relationship; (ii) full implementation
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of the Protocol on Ireland and Northern It highlighted that with just six months
Ireland; and (iii) Brexit readiness and remaining to negotiate and ratify an
contingency planning.” agreement, it is likely that the negotiations
“will become a high-level political focus in
It outlined that the end of the transition period, September and October, as this could be the
regardless of the outcome of the negotiations, stage when possible landing zones for an
will bring “substantial challenges for supply agreement are identified.”
chains and trade flows” as the UK no longer
applies the rules of the EU Single Market and On the Protocol for Ireland/Northern Ireland,
Customs Union. It indicated that “checks and the brief outlined that Ireland “is guided by
controls in both directions on EU-UK trade will the twin objectives of protecting the Good
be required” and that businesses will have to Friday Agreement and the gains of the Peace
engage in a “new range of regulatory issues”. Process and the protection of the integrity of
the Single Market and Ireland’s place in it.”
It further noted that in the absence of a Free It warned that the Commission and Member
Trade Agreement, tariffs would be introduced States are “vigilant on potential risks to the
and that a limited FTA in goods would “not integrity of the Single Market in terms of
address a range of areas important to Ireland how the Protocol is implemented by the UK
such as transport, energy and police and Government.” It further outlined:
judicial cooperation”. It stressed that the
absence of a data adequacy agreement, Operational engagement between
which would be granted by the EU to the UK, the UK and the Commission is vital
would make the transfer of personal data to implementation in the timeline
“much more onerous (if not impossible) and ahead. A number of decisions on
affect almost every sector, public and private, the implementation of the Protocol
including security and police cooperation.” remain to be agreed between the
EU and UK in the Joint Committee.
It also reported on a “range of studies” More broadly, there are concerns at
pointing to the negative impact Brexit will the lack of progress on moving to
have on economic growth in Ireland. practical operational arrangements for
implementation of the Protocol, which
The Department of Finance is currently
must be in place by 1 January 2021.”
updating its assessment of Brexit/
COVID-19 impacts but it is clear that we Warnings on Brexit Impact
are facing into Brexit from a fundamentally
different economic starting point than for The London School of Economics and Political
a no-deal Brexit in 2019. We can expect Science has published a report which says that
that the capacity of households and Brexit will deliver a double shock to the UK
businesses to manage a second economic economy with business conditions worsening
shock will be more limited, and there is a for those sectors that have survived the impact
risk of cumulative effects due to stronger of coronavirus and lockdown measures. “The
negative feedback loops. government must move beyond its broad
assessment of Brexit impacts to much more
finely tuned plans.”
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The Confederation of British Industry has Politico Brexit talks head for October
stated that most companies now lack the showdown (Again), 21 August 2020.
time and resources to prepare for a no-deal https://www.politico.eu/article/brexit-talks-
EU exit with one in five saying they were less stalemate-october-showdown-again/
prepared for Brexit than in January due to
coronavirus disruption. “An ambitious deal Bloomberg EU presses UK to reveal state-
with the EU is essential to shield firms from a aid plans to save Brexit talks, 28 August
further trade shock at a time when they are 2020.https://www.bloomberg.com/news/
least equipped to cope.” articles/2020-08-28/eu-presses-u-k-to-
reveal-state-aid-plans-to-save-brexit-talks
The UK chemical industry has warned of a
cost as high as £1 billion to duplicate the EU Telegraph Brexit talks will go down to
regulatory regime. The industry association wire, Angela Merkel suggests as leaders are
has claimed that a data e-sharing arrangement called in to get deal done. Telegraph, 28
with Brussels is essential. Registering a single August 2020. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/
chemical in the new UK Reach database could politics/2020/08/28/brexit-talks-will-go-wire-
cost up to £300,000 if companies are required angela-merkel-suggests-leaders-called/
to use banks of test data
Politico Pessimism mounts in Brussels over
Section Three: Background Brexit talks ‘disaster’. Politico, 28 August
Material and Further Reading 2020. https://www.politico.eu/article/
pessimism-mounts-in-brussels-over-brexit-
Background Material talks-disaster/
European Commission Remarques de
Michel Barnier suite au septieme round Guardian Time-wasting UK makes post-
de negotiations sur un future partenariat Brexit deal unlikely, says Barnier. Guardian,
entre l’Union Europeenne at le Royaume- 21 August 2020. https://www.theguardian.
Uni. https://ec.europa.eu/commission/ com/politics/2020/aug/21/michel-barnier-
presscorner/detail/en/statement_20_1511 brexit-time-wasting-uk-means-post-brexit-
deal-unlikely-says-eu-chief
GOV.UK Statement by David Frost following
the Conclusion of Round 7 of Negotiations EU Task Force Agenda- UK-EU Negotiations-
with the EU, 21 August 2020. https:// Round 7, 18-21 August 2020, Brussels.
no10media.blog.gov.uk/2020/08/21/david- https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/
frosts-statement-following-the-conclusion-of- negotiation-7th-round-eu-uk-agenda.pdf
round-7-negotiations-with-the-eu/
The Guardian The Guardian view on Brexit
GOV.UK PM’s meeting with Irish Taoiseach deadlines: Boris Johnson’s nemesis. Guardian,
Micheal Martin, 13 August 2020. https://www. 26 August 2020. https://www.theguardian.
gov.uk/government/news/pms-meeting- com/commentisfree/2020/aug/26/the-
with-irish-taoiseach-michael-martin-13- guardian-view-on-brexit-deadlines-boris-
august-2020/ johnsons-nemesis
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BBC Brexit: UK hopeful of EU trade deal next Financial Times EU warns City it faces longer
month, says No 10. BBC, 18 August 2020. wait for market access after Brexit. FT, 17
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics- August 2020. https://www.ft.com/content/
53812015?intlink_from_url=https.bbc.com/ e1c1b7a7-0c18-4e8e-8a25-3b3c671c040f
news/uk&link_location=live-reporting-story
Financial Times Johnson has ‘genuine
Irish Times The Irish Times view on Brexit desire’ for UK-EU trade deal, says Irish
negotiations: Talks remain in deadlock. IT, premier. FT, 14 August 2020. https://www.
19 August 2020. https://www.irishtimes. ft.com/content/3362ba2f-d360-4c80-82d3-
com/opinion/editorial/the-irish-times-vib9- 2ac39698616c
ew-on-brexit-negotiations-talks-remain-in-
deadlock-4333292 Telegraph Brexit trade deal can be done
by September says UK chief negotiator.
Centre for European Reform Five Reasons Telegraph, 14 August 2020. https://www.
why even a basic EU-UK trade deal is better telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/08/13/brexit-
than nothing, 18 August 2020. https://www. trade-deal-can-done-september-says-uk-
cer.eu/insights/five-reasons-why-even-basic- chief-negotiator
eu-uk-trade-deal-better-nothing
European Commission Addendum to the
Politico EU banking on UK urgency to unlock Terms of Reference on the UK-EU Future
Brexit talks. Politico, 17 August 2020. https:// Relationship Negotiations, August 2020.
www.politico.eu/article/eu-banking-on-uk- https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/
urgency-to-unlock-brexit-talks/ addendum-terms-reference-31072020_en_0.pdf
Telegraph UK Brexit negotiator tells EU that Irish Times UK outlines Brexit talks timetable
they need British hauliers more than we need running into October. IT, 31 July 2020.
them. Telegraph, 19 August 2020. https:// https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/uk/
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/08/19/ uk-outlines-brexit-talks-timetable-running-
uk-brexit-negotiator-tells-eu-need-british- into-october-1.4318846
hauliers-need/
GOV.UK Major £650 million investment for
The Guardian Germany scraps plans for Northern Ireland, 7 August 2020. https://
Brexit talks at EU ambassadors summit. www.gov.uk/government/news/major-650-
Guardian, 26 August 2020. https://www. million-investment-for-northern-ireland
theguardian.com/politics/2020/aug/26/
germany-scraps-plans-for-brexit-talks-at-eu- RTE Michael Gove in Belfast over post-Brexit
ambassadors-summit trade system. RTE, 7 August 2020. https://
www.rte.ie/news/brexit/2020/0807/1157803-
Financial Times Brexit trade talks set to stall customs/
again over British truckers’ EU access. FT, 19
August 2020. https://www.ft.com/content/
a28f2708-0db9-4e82-8ed5-45c8b22df4f4
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Financial Times Government to spend Telegraph Britain must compromise on
£200m on helping GB goods flow to N state aid for an EU deal. Telegraph, 4
Ireland. FT, 7 August 2020. https://www. August 2020. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/
ft.com/content/91123bfe-58d3-475b-8f69- business/2020/08/04/britain-will-have-
a8d92bbf81e5 compromise-state-aid-reach-eu-deal/
Irish Times British cash for Northern Financial Times Move to ditch Withdrawal
Ireland shows scale of Brexit disrupti.on. Agreement would only create new Brexit
IT, 8 August 2020. https://www.irishtimes. problems. FT, 7 August 2020. https://www.
com/news/world/europe/british-cash-for- ft.com/content/babfe274-45fd-490f-9c47-
northern-ireland-shows-scale-of-brexit- 3631d4a01c04
disruption-1.4325004
Politico Why Boris Johnson’s Brexit trade
Guardian The Guardian view on Brexit deal is not so different to no deal. Politico,
bureaucracy: tied up in red tape. Guardian, 9 5 August 2020. https://www.politico.eu/
August 2020. https://www.theguardian.com/ article/boris-johnson-brexit-trade-deal-not-
commentisfree/2020/aug/09/the-guardian- different-from-no-deal/
view-on-btrexit-bureaucracy-tied-up-in-red-
tape The Guardian Brexit will deliver double
shock to UK economy, study finds. Guardian,
Financial Times CBI warns over no-deal 28 July 2020. https://www.theguardian.
Brexit preparations. FT, 31 July 2020. com/politics/2020/jul/28/brexit-will-deliver-
https://www.ft.com/content/efb74956-fb8f- double-shock-to-uk-economy-study-finds-
41cc-a823-277346788fc9 coronavirus
The Observer Brexit fuels brain drain as Financial Times UK chemical industry warns
skilled Britons head to the EU. Observer, 2 of £1billion cost to duplicate EU regime. FT,
August 2020. https://www.theguardian. 3 August 2020. https://www.ft.com/content/
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Charles Grant I’m optimistic about a Brexit
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Further Reading
Barnett, Anthony The Lure of Greatness.
England’s Brexit and America’s Trump.
Unbound.
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