The Political Economy of Brexit

Over the past forty years, the UK's economy has become increasingly intertwined with and dependent on its relationship with the European Union. The UK's vote to leave the EU takes both parties into unchartered territory that this collection of essays explores. The contributors, who all draw on long experience of policy-oriented research, consider the impact, at least in the short term, of a weaker less influential UK economy and the likely flashpoints for the Brexit negotiations. The book examines Brexit's likely impact on the UK's already weak manufacturing base, on the withdrawal of EU funding for regional development, on wages and labour regulations, and on trade and industrial policy. Importantly, the essays address the specific challenges that face Northern Ireland, Scotland and the City of London, as well as the potential ramifications for the EU without its second largest economy. Together these essays provide an important first step in assessing the threats and challenges that Brexit poses and will be welcome reading for anyone in search of rigour and clarity after the rhetoric of the referendum campaigns. Book jacket.