When the UK entered the EU in 1973, the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales and the Northern Ireland Assembly did not yet exist. But not only does the UK now includes three devolved constituent nations, its EU membership is intimately woven into each of the devolution settlements. The Brexit vote has highlighted profound division and fragmentation along territorial lines, with seemingly irreconcilable governmental positions and contrasting public attitudes across the UK’s four nations. At this Policy Dialogue, organised with the support of the Wales Governance Centre and Cardiff University, speakers from the three devolved constituent nations discussed how Brexit and the Article 50 negotiations are viewed in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. They unpacked the politics and policy preferences within the UK against a post-General Election backdrop and in the context of the ever-diminishing two-year negotiating window.

Speakers included: Michael Russell, Minister for UK negotiations on Scotland’s place in Europe, Mark Drakeford, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, Wales, Cathy Gormley-Heenan, Professor of Politics, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Ulster University