What might a “Full Fat” Brexit have Looked Like?

15 June 2024

This article provides a general overview based on discussions around what a Full-Fat Brexit MIGHT look like. It is only intended to give a broad outline. The suggestions provided are based on knowledge of typical areas of focus and potential actions that could be taken by a government seeking to assert greater sovereignty post-Brexit. For detailed and specific policies or actions taken by the UK government, consulting official government publications, policy statements, or reputable news sources would be recommended.

The concept of a “full Brexit” often implies a more complete separation from the European Union, going beyond the measures already taken. Here are several areas where the UK government could have gone further* with its Brexit agenda to achieve what some might consider a more complete or “full” Brexit:

*It is noted that some of this has been delivered to some degree.

Trade and Economic Policies

  1. Rejoin WTO as an Independent Member:
    Emphasize the UK’s role as an independent member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) by negotiating new trade agreements directly, rather than rolling over existing EU agreements.
  2. Global Free Trade Agreements:
    Aggressively pursue bilateral free trade agreements with major economies like the US, China, India, and other Commonwealth nations to diversify trade and reduce reliance on the EU.
  3. Develop Domestic Industries:
    Implement policies to boost domestic industries, particularly manufacturing and agriculture, to reduce dependence on EU imports.

Regulatory Autonomy

  1. Regulatory Divergence:
    Adopt a regulatory framework that significantly diverges from the EU, tailored to the UK’s specific economic and social needs. This could involve changing regulations in finance, data protection, environmental standards, and labor laws.
  2. Deregulation and Innovation:
    Promote innovation by reducing red tape and regulatory burdens on businesses, especially in emerging industries like technology and green energy.

Immigration and Border Control

  1. Stricter Immigration Controls:
    Implement a points-based immigration system that prioritizes skilled workers and reduces overall immigration numbers, regardless of origin.
  2. Enhanced Border Security:
    Invest in advanced border control technology and infrastructure to more effectively manage and monitor the flow of goods and people.

Legal and Judicial Independence

  1. Exit from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR):
    Withdraw from the ECHR and establish a UK Bill of Rights to replace the Human Rights Act, asserting greater judicial independence.
    It is noted that the ECHR is not part of the EU, but withdrawal from it would be made easier with a full exit from the EU.
  2. Reform UK-EU Legal Agreements:
    Review and renegotiate legal agreements with the EU to ensure they reflect UK interests and sovereignty.

Fisheries and Agriculture

  1. Exclusive Fishing Rights:
    Assert exclusive control over UK fishing waters and renegotiate fishing quotas to benefit British fishermen.
  2. Agricultural Subsidies:
    Reform agricultural subsidies to support UK farmers and promote sustainable farming practices that are tailored to British agricultural needs.

Financial Contributions and Budget

  1. End Financial Contributions to the EU:
    Ensure that no UK funds are used to support the EU budget, reallocating those resources to domestic priorities.
  2. Reclaim EU Assets:
    Pursue a fair share of assets held by the EU that were funded by UK contributions over the years.

Political and Diplomatic Independence

  1. Independent Foreign Policy:
    Formulate an independent foreign policy that reflects UK interests, possibly diverging from EU positions on global issues.
  2. New Alliances:
    Strengthen alliances outside the EU, such as with the Commonwealth, NATO, and other global partners.

Economic and Social Reforms

  1. Reform Domestic Subsidies and Grants:
    Redirect funds previously contributed to the EU to support regional development and social programs within the UK.
  2. Tax and Investment Incentives:
    Create tax incentives and investment schemes to attract businesses and investors, fostering economic growth and job creation.

By pursuing these measures, the UK government could have pushed the boundaries of Brexit further, emphasizing independence and self-sufficiency.

However, the feasibility and desirability of such actions would depend on political will, economic realities, and the potential impacts on international relationships and domestic stability.

So there’s a long list of things the UK government could have pursued given the right political will, economics and stability of foreign relations.