Brexit and the Commonwealth: What Next?

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.

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.