The decision of the UK to ‘Leave’ the European Union (EU) was unexpected, and as a consequence the precise details of what would come next were left very unclear, and still today there is little certainty or agreement over what ‘Brexit’ will actually mean. It is within this context that this edited volume has been produced. The Commonwealth featured quite heavily in the referendum campaign, particularly on the ‘Leave’ side; claiming that a vote for Brexit would allow the UK to re-new and extend links with the countries of the Commonwealth. However, critics highlighted the potential limitations of a new bilateral link, and that in many instances the UK’s role is strengthened by its membership of the EU. The tension between aspiration and likely reality is a key theme of the volume. Another, is how the decision of the UK may have consequences across the Commonwealth in terms of both domestic policy and regional cooperation. In short, the volume shines a detailed light on the historical and contemporary nature of relations between the UK and the Commonwealth. Linked to this, and possibly of greatest utility, is the consideration of how policy should be formulated to best strengthen the relationship in the future.
This book originally appeared as a special issue of The Round Table.
Commonwealth Update Oren Gruenbaum Introduction Peter Clegg Brexit in its Worldwide Aspect: An Opportunity to be Grasped Peter Marshall A Divided Family: Race, the Commonwealth and Brexit Eva Namusoke Brexit and Trade Ties between Europe and Commonwealth States in Sub-Saharan Africa: Opportunities for Pro-poor Growth or a Further Entrenchment of North–South Inequalities? Mark Langan Myths of Commonwealth Betrayal: UK–Africa Trade Before and After Brexit Peg Murray-Evans Brexit, Development Aid, and the Commonwealth Sophia Price Paradoxes of Regionalism and Democracy: Brexit’s Lessons for the Commonwealth Wendy C. Grenade The Implications of Brexit for the Caribbean’s Future Relationship with Britain and the EU Sir Ronald Sanders The Repercussions of Brexit for CARICOM’s Cohesion Patsy Lewis Brexit and the Overseas Territories: Repercussions for the Periphery Peter Clegg Australia and Brexit: De´ja` Vu All Over Again? Derek McDougall Opinions Some Reflections on Brexit and its Aftermath James Mayall Brexit, the UK and the Commonwealth: Opportunities and Challenges David Howell Brexit: The View from Scotland John M. MacKenzie Bringing the Commonwealth Back into the Fold—A View from the Backbenches Frank Field Brexit: A View from UKIP and the European Parliament James Carver Brexit: A View from Gibraltar Joseph Garcia UK’s Exit from the EU: Consequences for Africa and the Commonwealth Kayode Soyinka Brexit: A Perspective from Singapore Yuen Foong Khong Brexit: A View from New Zealand W. David McIntyre Brexit: ‘Everybody Lost’ Shridath Ramphal Opportunities or Challenges for the Caribbean after Brexit? Christopher A. D. Charles
Biography
Peter Clegg is an Associate Professor in Politics and Head of the Department of Health and Social Sciences at the University of the West of England, Bristol, UK. His main research interests focus on contemporary developments within the British Overseas Territories and the international political economy of the Caribbean.
