A Family of Nations? Brexit, Devolution and the Union

The project, led by Professor Nicola McEwen examines the impact of Brexit on relationships between the four nations/territories of the UK. Devolution was designed and developed within the context of the EU, and EU membership has been important in easing territorial relationships within the UK. The Brexit process is straining these relationships and could mark a turning point in the system of multi-level government in the UK.

Politicians often use the family as a metaphor when discussing territorial relationships. This project will draw upon ideas developed by sociologists to study relationships within families as a way of understanding and explaining dynamics in the relationships between governments and territories across the UK. The project aims to identify new tensions, opportunities and constraints. It examines the evolution of formal engagement and decision making between the UK and the devolved governments, but it tests the idea that these are conditioned by more informal interactions and the culture surrounding these. This includes the perceptions key players have about their role and the role of others, and the attitudes and behaviour they display. Relationships are studied in three sets of discussions provoked by Brexit: the UK's approach to EU negotiations; the negotiation and implementation of new trade deals; and the future of the UK 'internal market', which aims to avoid distortions in trade and competition once the UK is no longer subject to EU laws.