Uk Ireland

EU
• Grp of 27 countries acting as an economic and political block
• 19 use Euro as official currency: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary,
Poland, Romania, and Sweden.
• The EU grew out of a desire to form a single European political entity to end the centuries of
warfare among European countries that culminated with World War II and decimated much
of the continent. The European Single Market was established by 12 countries in 1993 to
ensure the so-called four freedoms: the movement of goods, services, people, and money.
• The EU's gross domestic product (GDP) totaled $15.6 trillion (nominal) in 2019, which was
$5.8 trillion less than the United States' $21.4 trillion GDP, according to figures available from
the World Bank.
• Understanding the European Union (EU) : removing custom barriers; Den, Ire, UK join 1973.
directly elected parliament took office in ‘79
• Bailouts for Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Spain since 2008
UK
• UK of Great Britain and Northern Ireland(England, Scotland, wales, N.
Ire)
• Unitary parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy
• House of Commons, house of Lords, and the monarch
• Main parties: the conservatives(Tories), Labour, Liberal Democrats,
Green Party
Brexit
• British withdrawal from EU, invoking of article 50 of Treaty of European Union, starting a 2 year process
which was due on 29 March 2019, but it eventually happened on 31 December 2020.
• Brexit was advocated by both ends of the political spectrum before the referendum, each side citing different
reasons. Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of Labour, mainly cited EU rules regarding state aid (i.e. that member
states cannot ‘distort’ the market by giving subsidies, tax reliefs, preferential goods/services to specific
companies… these rules extended further by saying that governments cannot have sizeable holdings in a
company). Many Conservatives and members of the UK’s far-right nationalist party, UKIP, cited concerns
regarding sovereignty (i.e. the ability of the UK to create its own political and economic legislation, especially
regarding migration).
• David Cameron’s “stay” campaign and referendum plan  Referendum ended in favor of Brexit (51.9-
48.1) Cameron resignation  Theresa May succeeds Cameron  May calls for a “Snap-Election” Ends
up losing and forced to make minority govt with Northern Ire.’s DUP. Cabinet Resignations Russian
Agents  Syrian Air Strikes
• In late November, May was able to boast that the leaders of the EU’s 27
other member countries formally had agreed to the terms of a withdrawal
deal that she claimed “delivered for the British people” and set the United
Kingdom “on course for a prosperous future.” According to the agreement,
the U.K. was to pay some $50 billion to meet its long-term financial
obligations to the EU. Under the plan an end would come to the freedom of
movement between Britain and the EU that was central to the anti-
immigration argument for Brexit. Although the U.K.’s departure date from
the EU was concretized for March 29, 2019, the agreement stipulated that
Britain would continue to adhere to EU rules and regulations until at least
December 2020 while the details of their long-term relationship were
ironed out by the U.K. and the EU.
• As May returned to the business of leading Britain, the central task for her government
remained formulating a cohesive approach for Brexit negotiations with the EU. Wide
disagreement persisted even within the Conservative Party on a myriad of details related to how
the British proposal on separation would address issues such as trade and tariffs, freedom of
movement, and the role that EU laws and the European Court of Justice might continue to play
for the U.K. The government’s chief Brexit negotiator, David Davis, began discussions with EU
counterparts, but back home the debate on details heated up.
• In the following months the makeup of May’s cabinet changed dramatically as the result of a
number of scandals as well as differences of opinion. In November 2017 Sir Michael Fallon
stepped down as defense minister in advance of possible sexual harassment accusations about
his conduct earlier in his career, and Priti Patel, the international development secretary,
resigned after it was revealed that she had held unauthorized meetings with Israeli politicians. In
December, Damian Green, the first secretary of state, quit his position as a consequence of
allegations that he had downloaded pornography onto his House of Commons computer. There
were calls for the resignation of party chairman Sir Patrick McLoughlin after he was blamed for
providing inadequate security for the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester in October
2017, when May was interrupted by a pranking comedian who came within touching distance
during her keynote address. After initially refusing to step down, McLoughlin resigned in January
2018 during a cabinet reshuffle that had been sparked by Green’s resignation and had included
the departure of Justine Greening as education secretary.
Hard vs Soft
• Hard Brexit means that the British government ceases to be a part of the European Union. This means that the
United Kingdom will no longer have access to the single market, which allows free movement of goods, services,
and people from the member countries. Hard Brexit would also mean that Britain would no longer be part of the
single customs union. In the customs union, member nations of the European Union do not charge import duty
to each other. Also, instead of individual countries signing trade deals with the rest of the world, the European
Union signs trade deals as a group. If Britain chooses a hard Brexit, then it will have to sign its own trade deals.
• A Hard Brexit is popular with the hardliners who voted to go out of the European Union. It would allow Britain to
maintain its political sovereignty. However, there are considerable economic impacts. The foremost impact will
be that British goods that flow into other European Union countries would attract a 10% tax. This would increase
their price in these markets. As a result, the sales of these products will decline. This will lead to a fall in
production and a recession in the United Kingdom. However, proponents of Hard Brexit argue that Britain was
one of the founding members of the World Trade Organization. It has the economic clout necessary to negotiate
deals with other nations which will allow them to make up for the loss faced due to Hard Brexit.
• Another major problem with the Hard Brexit is that it is likely to affect the British pound in an extremely negative
manner. Since the EU has more trading partners than the United Kingdom, many companies, as well as countries,
will sell the pound and buy the Euro. This will help them trade with the European Union later on. However, this
exchange is likely to bring the pound to record lows. The mere announcement of Brexit had caused mayhem in
the currency markets. If the government decides to continue with a Hard Brexit, the British pound might see an
unprecedented fall.
• The Soft Brexit is actually a mid-way between leaving the European Union and staying in it. Britain will be
entitled to some of the privileges that other EU members have. Britain is not the first country that will be trying
this model. Countries like Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein are already using this model. As per this model,
Britain will officially not be a part of the European Union. This means that they will have no political
representation at the EU. However, they can continue to have access to the single free market as well as the
single customs that other EU countries enjoy. This also means that the goods being sent to Europe from EU and
vice versa will be subject to fewer border checks.
• The biggest benefit of this arrangement is that Britain can continue with the free movement of goods and
services. At the same time, they can restrict the movement of people. Hence, Britain can ensure that they
control immigration and secure their borders. At the same time, they can also ensure that their fledgling
financial services industry continues to flourish. Since the service sector will not be affected, London can avoid
the mass exodus of financial services firms and can continue as the financial capital of the entire European
region.(WW)
• The problem with this arrangement is that Britain will have to pay a fee to the European Union to continue
using these privileges. The question now arises whether the fee will be worth the price or whether Britain
would be better off paying 10% duty on its exports. The answer depends upon the amount that the EU is likely
to charge Britain. Many analysts believe that the EU will give Britain a concessional rate at first. However, since
many European countries are on the verge of bankruptcy, the EU may try to hike these rates later in order to
increase their revenues.
• The conclusion is that hard and soft Brexit are options that Britain is thinking about. The stand of the European
Union is not really clear. However, it is likely that they will make it difficult for Britain to leave in order to set an
example for the other countries. This decision is strategic in nature. Any decision taken will have ramifications
on the economic future of both parties as well as the economic future of the rest of the world.
 Brexit timeline
• On 29 March 2017, in writing to European Council President Donald Tusk, the Prime Minister formally triggered Article 50 and began the
two-year countdown to the UK formally leaving the EU (commonly known as ‘Brexit’).
• The UK had long been expected to leave the European Union at 11pm on 29 March 2019. However, following a House of Commons vote on
14 March 2019, the Government sought permission from the EU to extend Article 50 and agree a later Brexit date.
• On 20 March 2019 the Prime Minister wrote to European Council President Donald Tusk, asking to extend Article 50 until 30 June 2019.
• Following a European Council meeting the next day, EU27 leaders agreed to grant an extension.
• On 2 April 2019, the Prime Minister announced she will seek a further extension to the Article 50 process and offered to meet the Leader of
the Opposition to agree a deal that can win the support of MPs.
• At a meeting of the European Council on 10 April 2019, the UK and EU27 agreed to extend Article 50 until 31 October 2019.
• On 19 October 2019, the Prime Minister’s new Brexit deal was lost on amendment in the Commons. In accordance with the European
Union (Withdrawal) (No. 2) Act 2019 – commonly known as the ‘Benn Act’ – the Prime Minister wrote to European Council president
Donald Tusk, to request an extension to the Brexit process.
• On 28 October 2019, EU Ambassadors agreed a further Brexit extension to 31 January 2020.
• On 12 December 2019, Boris Johnson won a majority in the UK General Election and reaffirmed his commitment to ‘get Brexit done‘ by 31
January 2020.
• On 23 January 2020, the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 received Royal Assent. This is the legislation that will
implement the withdrawal agreement negotiated by the UK and the EU.
• At 11pm on 31 January 2020, the UK left the EU and entered a transition period.
• At 11pm on 31 December 2020, the transition period ended and the United Kingdom left the EU single market and customs union.
Ireland
• Single island entity, and has been united all history long except in 20th century
when it split between two nations: Ireland the country, and The U.K.
• Transformed rapidly from a mainly agricultural society into a modern and
highly technological economy.
• Joined The EURO in 2002.
• Fell off in World Financial Crisis and the subsequent collapse of its domestic
property and construction industry
• EU-IMF bailout programme, draconian austerity measures to reduce deficits
due to banking sector
• Recovered since then, 2nd highest GDP growth in EU
Catholicism in Ireland
• Christianity: Roman Britain  Ireland (400 AD); St Patrick; who managed to
convert the Irish to Catholicism. Before which Ireland practiced Celtic Paganism.
• Post Catholicism, Ireland underwent Viking settlements and invasion of
English Normans.
• 1603, Ireland was reunited under English rule by Henry VIII after the Nine Years
War. 1604, James the First from the Scottish House of Stuart became the King of
England, uniting all three kingdoms of Ireland, Scotland, and England under one
monarch.
• However, the british were protestants, and Catholics were conflicted for having a
protestant ruler. Frequent rebellions, often brutally suppressed.
• English monarchs confiscated lands from Irish lords and farmers and replace them
with protestants (Province of Ulster).
• 1801, 3 kingdoms united into a single country to better consolidate
English rule. However, the union was deeply prejudiced to non-English
dominions, and in particular, Catholics. Irish catholics strongly
discriminated against. Despite constituting majority of population,
they were prohibited by penal laws. Though many laws were
reformed via the Roman Catholic Relief Act in 1829, Irish were still
treated like second-class citizens.
• Great Potato Famine: failed potato crop, worst to occur in Europe in
19th century. Irish resentment rose, leading to Modern Irish
Nationalism  ‘Home Rule’ movement: irish demanded their own
parliament. Opposed by pro-unionist movements, mainly located in
protestant counties in the north.
• Declining piety of irish population, because of historical entanglement
with nationalist movements.
conflict
• Post 1920s civil war, southern Ireland became a sovereign state;
gerrymander; systematic catholic suppression and discrimination.
• 1966, campaign to end discrimination against the catholic/nationalist
minority by the protestant/unionist government and police force. Civil
rights marches across Belfast and derry; police brutality
• Increasing inter-communal violence, conflict b/w nationalist youths and
police leading to riots in ‘69. British troops were deployed and
constructed ‘Peace Walls’ to keep the opposing communities apart. IRA v
Brits. Civilian deaths.
• Bloody Sunday; Bloody Friday. Margaret Thatcher attempted
assassination. Good Friday.
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