Brexit: Main Arguments For and Against, Foreign Affairs, Economy, and Trade

Brexit Process Overview

Brexit The Brexit process began when the United Kingdom (UK) voted to leave the European Union (EU) in a 2016 referendum (June 23rd).

Following the vote, there was four years of debate about the best scenario for the agreement between the UK and EU.

Here the key arguments:

Foreign Affairs Arguments

• 1 11Leave FOREIGN AFFAIRS Continuing to be EU membership would limit Britain's international influence, ruling out an independent seat at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Remain FOREIGN AFFAIRS As part of a community of 500 million people, Britain could have greater influence over international matters as a member of the EU.

Sovereignty Arguments

• 1 11Leave SOVEREIGNITY Britain will have more control of its laws and regulations, without the risk of having European policies forcefully imposed. Remain SOVEREIGNITY Britain proved that it could opt out of some EU policies, such as adoption of the euro, the Schengen Agreement and enforced migrant quotas.

Security Arguments

• 1 11Leave SECURITY Some in the Leave camp believe that Britain's domestic security could benefit from full border controls, which it would hope to gain outside the EU. 10 Remain SECURITY A union better equips Britain to tackle threats to security, including terrorism and cross- border crime.

Money Arguments

• 1 11Leave Remain MONEY EU membership fees - amounting to billions - could be spent on issues that matter most to the British people, like funding for the NHS. MONEY European businesses invest billions of pounds in the UK every year, both in the public sector and private sector.

Trade Arguments

• 1 11Leave Remain TRADE Membership of the EU keeps Britain far from fully capitalising on trade with other major economies such as Japan, India and the US. TRADE EU membership provides Britain access to the European single market, which is invaluable for trade and enables the easy movement of goods, services and people across member states.

Business Arguments

• 1 11Leave Remain BUSINESS The EU subjects Britain to slow and inflexible bureaucracy, making it more prohibitive for smaller companies to do business. BUSINESS Free trade within the EU reduces barriers and enables companies to grow.

Jobs Arguments

• 1 11Leave JOBS Improving global trade agreements and more selective immigration could have a positive effect on the British job market. Remain JOBS Millions of British jobs are linked to Europe and could be put at risk. Some sectors such as nursing and manufacturing could experience a negative period.

Consumer Goods Arguments

• 1 11Leave CONSUMER GOODS EU VAT contributions and agricultural subsidies policies cost UK consumers hundreds of pounds each year. Remain CONSUMER GOODS The average person in Britain saves hundreds each year thanks to lower prices of goods and services facilitated by the EU. I 1- 1 11