‘There will be a deal between the UK and the EU’

Co-organized by Urios and the Centre for Global Challenges the Brexit Symposium was divided in two parts, a political lecture by the Ambassador with an extensive Q&A and a subsequent legal discussion with Professors Sybe de Vries and Ton van den Brink who talked about the economic and human rights law aspects of Brexit, as well as the legal framework that includes Article 50.

Ambassador Wilson began with a promise and a warning: “I will only be as interesting as you will make me to be”. He presented himself on eye-level and created an open space for thought and discussion. However, he did not hide the fact that his position required him to take a stance of optimism and that he represented his government and his country, but he was also there to speak his mind. Some of these thoughts and his description of the situation will be picked up in this item.

According to Peter Wilson, the Brexit is a rapidly developing theme. What is interesting and current today is already old and irrelevant tomorrow. It is his sincere belief, that there will be a deal between the UK and the EU, because the parliament wants it. A referendum on the other hand is unlikely and there seems to be no interest within the political elites to take this path. Also, general elections are not feasible. What remains is a situation that requires a rethinking of old models of civil discourse.

Bad communication

With London, North Ireland and Scotland voting to remain and a polarization in the debate, that is not limited to socio-economic differences, Wilson criticizes especially the bad communication on both sides of fence, so to speak. There is a lack of acceptance for the position of the other in both camps which leads to isolation for those that think differently than their group, be it a Londoner who voted Leave or an old farmer who wanted to Remain. The vigorous media coverage on both sides does not really help this case.

But while he admits that politicians just underestimated the entire situation, he also underlines that it is now taken very seriously and that no matter if the country voted to leave the European Union, the British population does not close itself off from the outside. According to Wilson, the UK is and will remain an outward looking country just like the Netherlands is and will remain a strong partner sharing mutual respect and a frank line of communication. This respect is so deeply rooted that despite the common history the King of the Netherlands was able to go to the UK amidst the Brexit turmoil and tell the British people and their representatives what kind of country he wants them to become, receiving standing ovations. What will change is the form of partnership between the UK and the rest of the world. A new position needs to be found

More continental

“Interestingly,” he said, “as we are leaving the EU, politics in the UK become more continental.”  On the question if the EU does not require Brexit to hurt the British to avoid copycats, Wilson has a clear opinion. Firstly, the EU can be more self-confident and secondly it is in both parties’ interest, that both the EU and the UK create a strong and successful future.

The Ambassador criticized the political choice of the European nations to discuss all the negative aspects first, which admittedly provided them with good bargaining power, while leaving positive aspects to be discussed afterwards. Ton van den Brink later provided a legal perspective by introducing Article 50, that allows for countries to leave the EU and is structured in a way that crucial disagreements are tackled first.

The Irish backstop and the discussion on the border in Ireland are seen as the most essential part of negotiations because it is the most likely aspect that leads towards a No-Deal situation. The majority in the parliament is against a customs union and there seems to be a lack of belief among many groups that a solution to this problem can be found. This lack of belief is very dangerous as it leads to inaction and action is needed now more than ever.