Has Brexit been stalled?

6 May 2020

“An introduction to Brexit – What is it? What does it mean for us?”

The big question everyone is wanting to know is, ‘Is Brexit still on?’. For many of us the truth is we don’t really know whats going on with Brexit as of right now. Currently the UK is in the transition period until 31st December 2020, however with covid-19 going on we haven’t heard much on the news about our Brexit plans and to what will happen. 

Back in 2016 a referendum was set on whether the UK should remain or leave the European Union, the outcome of this was “52 percent in favour of leaving”(Brexit: A brief history of Britain and the EU – CBBC Newsround, 2020). Ever since this the news has been pact with information on Brexit, strategies on Brexit, delays to Brexit, deals and much more. Beginning of 31st January 2020 we have not been apart of the EU, there have been many unfinished negotiations, one to be the Free Trade Agreement. “UK is gearing up preparations to walk away from Brexit trade negotiations”(Boscia, 2020). Due to a huge pandemic arising Brexit has not been the most important topic within the government, “We’re not in a place where we’re even thinking about”(Stone, 2020). Ever since this pandemic many businesses have had to close. some even shutting for good as they aren’t able to retain enough profit to stay open. As a result of businesses being affected by having to close this has impacted the UK’s economy with the “Pound plunging to its lowest level in over 30 years”(Pound plunges to its lowest level in over 30 years, 2020). 

To conclude the government are putting most of their focus and attention on the pandemic going on as they need to prepare for whats to come next when we eventually starting coming out of this lockdown and how to build back up our economy. Who knows when we will discuss Brexit again? 

References – 

Bbc.co.uk. 2020. Brexit: A Brief History Of Britain And The EU – CBBC Newsround. [online] Available at: <https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/50166269&gt; [Accessed 12 May 2020].

BBC News. 2020. Pound Plunges To Its Lowest Level In Over 30 Years. [online] Available at: <https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51921922&gt; [Accessed 12 May 2020].

Boscia, S., 2020. Brexit Trade Negotiations: UK Increases Preparations For No-Deal. [online] CityAM. Available at: <https://www.cityam.com/brexit-trade-talks-uk-increases-preparations-for-no-deal/&gt; [Accessed 10 May 2020].

Riddell, C., 2020. The Monster Lurking Behind Coronavirus – Cartoon. [image] Available at: <https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2020/mar/14/the-monster-lurking-behind-coronavirus-cartoon&gt; [Accessed 12 May 2020].

Stone, J., 2020. How Coronavirus Is Affecting Brexit Talks. [online] The Independent. Available at: <https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/coronavirus-brexit-talks-eu-boris-johnson-a9508856.html&gt; [Accessed 11 May 2020].