Description
Brexit will involve the most significant re-alignment of UK foreign policy and diplomacy in more than 40 years, particularly in terms of Britain’s relations with its European partners. Having been at the heart of the processes of institutionalised foreign policy cooperation that have evolved under the auspices of the EU - and been a major player in these - the UK will now find itself on the outside, its capacity to influence key debates and decision-making significantly reduced. Yet the UK and its former EU partners retain many common strategic interests, while the UK remains one of Europe’s key foreign policy powers. How should the two sides seek to engage following British withdrawal? What will be needed to establish an effective new foreign, security and defence relationship? This paper argues that if the UK is able to set out a clear and strategic vision for its longer-term foreign policy, it has a unique opportunity to re-boot its relations with its European partners, thereby re-establishing and strengthening its credentials as a serious and engaged international actor.
