What do people in Northern Ireland really think about the Protocol? Published: 10 May 2022 Commentary The Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland not only remains a matter of contention in UK-EU relations but is also very much an issue that divides opinion in Northern Ireland. Polling data that we have collected allows us to see what concerns voters in Northern Ireland most about the Protocol, how opinion has evolved since the start of 2021, and the nature of the divisions that exist over it. It also shows how voters want those who won seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly elections on 5 May 2022 to vote in 2024 on the endurance of core elements of the Protocol. By Katy Hayward and David Phinnemore
University challenge: what kind of ties will EU higher education maintain with the UK in a post-Brexit world? Published: 20 April 2022 Commentary Students and teachers from the European Union still want to take part in exchanges with British universities, but the UK’s withdrawal from the Erasmus+ scheme has thrown up obstacles and increased costs. Some of the least privileged individuals, institutions and regions could lose out, writes Sarah Morris. By Sarah Morris
How the war in Ukraine has driven the EU and Britain further apart Published: 12 April 2022 Commentary The UK government has used its response to the war in Ukraine as an opportunity to distance itself further from the EU, says Ros Taylor. By Ros Taylor
Adieu, ni hao: can UK universities thrive in the post-Brexit world? Published: 14 March 2022 Commentary With the UK now less attractive to EU students, British universities have successfully pivoted to the Anglophone world and Asia, writes Ros Taylor. But in an increasingly fearful and isolationist world, this strategy is risky. By Ros Taylor
The right to protest in the UK comes under further attack Published: 9 February 2022 Commentary An attempted crackdown on protest in the UK has suffered a partial defeat in the House of Lords, writes Ros Taylor. But the government is still determined to make it more difficult for Britons to organise and take part in public protest, and hand substantial powers to the police – just as their authority has come under new scrutiny. By Ros Taylor
How European security is changing Published: 17 December 2021 Commentary Migration policy, economic and trade policy, health policy, technology policy, and climate policy are increasingly being thought of in terms of “security”. By Alice Billon-Galland, Rita Floyd and Hans Kundnani
Learning from the UK’s exposure to the global gas crisis Published: 29 October 2021 Commentary The causes of the current global gas crisis are now well understood. Europe finds itself the convergence zone of two supply challenges, related to a shortfall of pipeline supplies and simultaneously an inability to attract deliveries of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Consequently, going into winter storage levels are low, and prices are extremely high. But the UK has been singled out as being more vulnerable than most, why is this so and what lessons can be learnt from the current situation? By Michael Bradshaw
Queuing for fuel and scrambling for a turkey: Britain’s anxious autumn Published: 7 October 2021 Commentary Yes, Brexit is partly to blame for Britain’s supply chain crisis, says Ros Taylor. But ending free movement has exposed deeper problems within the labour market. By Ros Taylor
Seen but not heard: the UK cracks down on protest Published: 21 September 2021 Commentary Ros Taylor presents a critique of the new law that allows the English police to crack down on protest and seize the vehicles of Roma, Gypsies and Travellers who stop on private ground. The public do not seem to be particularly bothered – though that may change as the scope of the legislation becomes apparent. By Ros Taylor
All things to all people: Britain’s wide-ranging new subsidy regime Published: 30 July 2021 Commentary Leavers had promised that Brexit would improve people’s lives. With its ‘levelling up’ policy, the British government is now promising large state aid investment in poorer regions, which it argues would not have been possible in the EU. Expectations are high and the potential for abuse and cronyism is significant, says Ros Taylor. By Ros Taylor