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It was exactly 50 years ago, on 6 June 1975, that the UK learnt the result of its first-ever national referendum, on whether to remain in the European Community. The result was emphatic. Over 67 percent voted to stay, a 35 percent margin in favour of remaining, a decisive outcome. All four nations of the UK […]

Three weeks before the EU referendum, Sir John Major issued a stark warning to the British people. On 5 June 2016, the former Conservative Prime Minister appeared on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show and accused the Leave campaign of being “fundamentally dishonest” and “verging on the squalid.”

In early June 2016 – nine years ago – the UK stood on the edge of a knife. YouGov’s poll-of-polls showed Remain and Leave running neck and neck ahead of the EU referendum. On 26 May, Remain led with 46% to Leave’s 42%. But by 1 June, the two were tied at 44%. Even on the […]

Millions now recognise that Brexit has failed. But recognising failure is not enough. While the Brexit dream has soured, Nigel Farage’s Reform Party is gaining ground, capitalising on public frustration and dominating media space. Reform is filling the vacuum because those of us who believe Britain’s future lies back inside the EU are not working […]

I am delighted that I have been awarded one of the two UACES’ scholarships for conducting my research trip in Rome, Italy, in April 2025 as part of my doctoral studies. My thesis explores the European Union’s maritime security, now recognised as a crucial European security area and a vibrant field within current academic discourse. […]

Richard Tice, Deputy Leader of Nigel Farage’s Reform Party, says Labour’s new Brexit reset means the UK is: “basically going back to being a rule taker from the EU.” But Britain is already a rule taker – and has been since Brexit took effect in January 2020. When we were 𝗶𝗻 the EU, we weren’t […]

Starmer’s new EU deal may be a “Brexit reset” – but Britain remains adrift, and the damage isn’t undone. We’re still outside the Single Market, with lost rights, new barriers, and no real plan to go back in. That said, the new agreement this week between the UK and EU is a welcome sign of […]

When Keir Starmer ran for Labour leader in 2020, he promised to defend immigration and restore free movement with the EU.  He said: “We have to make the case for the benefits of migration, the benefits of free movement.”  Many pro-EU Labour members backed him because of that pledge. But after winning, Starmer quietly dropped it.

8 May 2025 marked 80 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe – Victory in Europe Day, first celebrated on 8 May 1945. What has VE Day to do with the European Union? Everything.

Reform UK party is making headlines. In the most dramatic shift in local politics for a generation, the party won around 677 council seats across England according to early results – more than any other party – and gained control of several councils for the first time. They also secured multiple mayoral positions, further cementing […]