Since the controversial Brexit vote in June 2016, where Britain voted to leave the EU. British politics has been quite frankly… poor. The British leaders have been squabbling, barely able to come to an agreement within the Conservative party let alone factoring Jeremy Corbyn and his Labour Party.
This uncertainty has caused businesses to justifiably emigrate to more stable countries, like Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and France.
The British Spirit
Despite the Brexit vote, Britain will remain a European powerhouse. The geopolitical landscape of Britain has not been shifted by Brexit. This is echoed by the past.
Whether the aggressor was Napoleon, Wilhelm II, Hitler, or the Communists, Britain has been head-and-shoulders above the rest, only rivaled by their friends across the Atlantic.
Recently, foreign policy cooperation has been a top priority of the British. Britain, France and their old rival Germany have often found it easy to come to agreements on policy.
So much so, that it has enabled Europe to speak to Washington in a way it couldn’t otherwise.Â
Today, the need for Europe to stand strong together and take a collaboration together on issues is greater than ever. The continent’s power is more fragmented than ever.
Russia, China and India are just some of the countries that are trying to pick at the corpse of the old European system.
For the first time since the 1600’s, the main threat for Europe is not an internal threat, but an external one.Â
EU, Brexit and the British economy…
Despite Brexit lingering, with Britain supposed to leave on the 31st of October, and all that entails. The British economy is sat in place to stop Europe from becoming irrelevant.
Even during the unsuccessful Brexit negotiations- where Britain and the EU seemed to agree on nothing. The two sides still worked closely on foreign issues.
With the recent Iran Nuclear Deal, climate change and free trade, London has sided with Berlin and Paris- not Washington.
London also backs the rest of Europe that government shouldn’t be kinder and provide an increase in aid to foreign dictatorships. The opposite stance to that of Washington.Â
Paris and Berlin understand that to effectively contain Moscow and Beijing, they will have to work with Washington or London, whether they like the latter or not. Regardless of their geopolitical issues.
Even if London is not part of the EU’s Foreign Affairs Council, many political analysts say that the best way for London, Paris and Berlin to cooperate is for an EU+1 policy, where London works as a third party member of the EU, much like an observer in the EU parliament. And if possible, help to come up with common positions on issues. Where they can find a common approach.
This has been shown to work in the past, with the P5+1. The 5 permanent UN Security Council plus Germany which was formed to aid in the Iran Nuclear Deal.
Germany was added when Paris, London, Washington, Moscow and Beijing realized Berlin’s economic and political strength. All this would be needed in persuading Iran to forgo its nuclear ambitions.Â
Britain needs to keep NATO alive. Why? It’s not just a case of Brexit. But a case of appeasement. If NATO falls, so might the British economy, so it is of paramount importance that Britain keeps the alliance strong.
Britain is making arrangements for the future, after the Brexit vote, this has been faster than ever.
The UK and US have set out a proposal for a potential US-UK free trade agreement have been laid out, intending to help both British and American industries from whatever repercussions Brexit has. As well as a potential CANZUK (Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom) Union, acting much like the EU.