Brexit, Biden, & turning points

Six years on from the Brexit and Trump votes, the emerging model of globalisation means that America First is likely to be enduring than hard Brexit

2016 was a pivotal year in the political backlash against intense globalisation.  The combination of the Brexit vote (‘take back control’) and the election of President Trump (with an America First agenda) represented an unexpected break with the prevailing policy consensus of economic integration. 

Despite PM Johnson’s promise to ‘get Brexit done’, and the victory of Mr Biden over Mr Trump in 2020 on commitments to return US politics to normal, various events this week – from London and Geneva to Singapore and Washington – show that these remain ongoing political processes.  And these dynamics have been further complicated by the regime change in globalisation crystallised by the Western-led response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Taking back control?

Brexit negotiations since 2016 have been largely about political symbols (and internal Tory party politics) rather than about delivering better outcomes.  This has been seen again over the week, with the introduction of a Bill to unil…