UK Threatens to Renege on Brexit Deal
On September 9, 2020, Britain published draft legislation, which would overturn a key provision of the Brexit deal. The Internal Market Bill would undermine the Northern Ireland protocol and diminish the EU’s oversight of trade between mainland Britain and Northern Ireland. The EU subsequently threatened to pose financial or trade sanctions on the UK if Boris Johnson didn’t drop his plans within three weeks.
Instructors, click the link below to download this week’s lecture for use in your classroom. The deck contains a writing prompt and a debate question as well as other assessment questions.
Download the PowerPoint Lecture Spark for “UK Threatens to Renege on Brexit Deal”
Links
“Brexit: What Changes is the Government Planning for the Northern Ireland Deal?”
https://www.bbc.com/news/54088596
“Brexit Talks on Brink as UK Rejects EU Call to Drop Law-Breaking Plan”
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/sep/10/fears-grow-that-uk-is-preparing-to-quit-brexit-talks
“Brexit back in crisis: EU warns UK over divorce pact”
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-eu/brexit-back-in-crisis-as-uk-threatens-to-undercut-divorce-pact-idUSKBN25Y0EZ
“Reneging on Brexit deal would strengthen case for breaking up UK, government told”
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/sep/07/reneging-on-brexit-deal-would-strengthen-case-for-breaking-up-uk-government-told
“Boris Johnson’s Plans to Get Brexit Done and “Hang the Consequences”
https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/09/10/boris-johnson-no-deal-brexit/
“OPINION: Brexit brinkmanship revives risk of worst outcome”
https://ewn.co.za/2020/09/08/opinion-brexit-brinkmanship-revives-risk-of-worst-outcome
“Opinion: Andy MacIver: Why it’s unwise to make a song and dance over Brexit”
https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18710234.opinion-andy-maciver-unwise-make-song-dance-brexit/
Assessment
- Writing: Explain why the Northern Ireland protocol is key to Brexit negotiations.
- Debate: Boris Johnson should back down and resume negotiations with the EU until December 31, 2020.
- Poll: Will the UK and the EU be able to come to an agreement before the end of the year?
- Short Answer: What are the repercussions if the UK breaks international law?
Current events quiz:
1) What percentage of the British people voted to leave the European Union in 2016?
a. 48%
b. 52%
c. 57%
d. 35%
2) Which of the following statements is true concerning Brexit.
a. In 2019 most of the British people support leaving the EU.
b. In 2016 most of the British people support staying the EU.
c. In 2019 most of the British people support staying the EU.
d. The opinions of the British people have not changed.
3) In the 2019 poll 43% of voters wanted what exactly concerning Brexit?
a. Either they would not vote or would support leaving the EU
b. Either they would not vote or would support staying in the EU
c. Would support staying in the EU
d. Would support leaving the EU
4) The Brexit decision to leave the European Union was supported by a large percentage of British voters. (T/F)
5) If the UK moves forward with their Internal Market Bill, it would be considered a violation of an international treaty. (T/F)
6) The Brexit vote no longer remains a divisive issue. (T/F)
Answers:
1) B
2) C
3) A
4) False
5) True
6) False
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Featured Image Credit: Ben Shread / Cabinet Office /
