Brexit and the devolved nations

The University’s Wales Governance Centre has co-organised an event in Brussels to examine the differing views of Brexit held by the devolved nations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Policy Dialogue – How Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland view Brexit – takes place today (17 October 2017) and has been organised in collaboration with the European Policy Centre.

Speakers at the event, which is held at the European Policy Centre, are Mark Drakeford AM (Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government), Michael Russell MSP (Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe), Professor Cathy Gormley-Heenan (Pro-Vice Chancellor, Queens University Belfast), and Fabian Zuleeg (Chief Executive and Chief Economist, European Policy Centre) who will Chair.

Dr Rachel Minto of the Wales Governance Centre said: “The UK entered the EU in 1973, long before the establishment of the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales and the Northern Ireland Assembly. As the UK negotiates its withdrawal from the EU, three of its constituent nations are not only devolved but EU membership is intimately woven into each of their devolution settlements.

"Brexit has highlighted profound division and fragmentation along these territorial lines, with seemingly irreconcilable governmental positions and contrasting public attitudes across the UK’s four nations.

“At this policy dialogue, our cross-national panel will discuss the different views of Brexit held in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The panel will unpack the politics and policy preferences within the UK, against a post-General Election backdrop and in the context of the ever-diminishing two-year negotiating window.”