Parliament’s role in the Brexit negotiations: Article 50 and beyond

If the recent high court ruling on Brexit is upheld, then MPs in the UK Parliament will have to approve the decision to trigger Article 50 and begin the process for leaving the European Union. But how would this vote actually take place and what influence will Parliament have over the negotiations? Based on a recent report, Sara Hagemann assesses Parliament’s role in Brexit, noting that with Westminster also obliged to transpose into domestic law all the EU law which currently has direct effect in the UK, the political and legal headaches caused by Brexit have only just begun

Giving MPs more power over the UK’s EU representatives would do far more for parliamentary sovereignty than a ‘red card’

The European Council summit scheduled for 18-19 February is expected to produce a deal on the UK’s renegotiation. Ahead of the meeting, Sara Hagemann writes on David Cameron’s attempts to negotiate further powers for national parliaments over EU decision-making. She notes that while a deal may be achieved on this point, including a possible ‘red card’ that would allow parliaments acting in tandem to veto policy proposals, the real way to increase the British Parliament’s role would be to allow for greater input by MPs and members of the House of Lords into the policy work of UK representatives in Brussels

A vote to leave the EU may have a detrimental impact on Parliament

What will life be like in the UK House of Commons and House of Lords if the UK leaves the EU? And if it is a vote to remain? Will Parliament have more or less influence on the government’s dealings with its European partners post-23 June? Sara Hobolt (left) and Sara Hagemann report on the expert evidence gathered at the eighth LSE Commission on the Future of Britain in Europe

A public vote on Jean-Claude Juncker in the European Council could be a significant step for transparency in EU politics

David Cameron has asked for a public vote to be held in the European Council on the nomination of Jean-Claude Juncker as the next President of the European Commission. Sara Hagemann writes that this would be a bold step as it would challenge the tradition of ‘consensus politics’ which has dominated key decisions over European integration in the past. She argues that this should be welcomed for reasons of transparency and democratic accountability, but that the debate nevertheless requires some nuance as there are both ‘good’ and ‘bad’ kinds of transparency

The ‘No’ in Denmark’s EU referendum poses a dilemma for all EU governments, not least the UK

On 3 December, Danish voters rejected a proposal from the government to change its status from being exempt from EU Justice and Home Affairs to a new position where it could ‘opt-in’ on legislation on a case-by-case basis. Sara Hagemann notes that the debate surrounding the referendum in Denmark was largely about ‘trust’ in the political system. Hence the ‘No’. Nevertheless, she stresses that the rejection is an ultimate dismissal of a Danish wish to participate in EU cooperation in an area which is set to define the Union in the future. It also comes at a politically sensitive time for the EU. Because of EU-sceptic pressures at home, other governments have to carefully consider whether to make Denmark a ‘case in point’, and decide what the consequences of an opt-out really are

EU referendum: do campaigns actually change voters’ minds?

Over £9m has been spent on leaflets for all British household outlining the arguments in favour of remaining in the EU. But do campaign activities actually sway voters in referendums? Would campaigners do best to try to change minds, or simply motivate their supporters to turn out at the polls? Which arguments will prove decisive? Sara Hobolt and Sara Hagemann report on the expert evidence gathered at the eighth LSE Commission on the Future of Britain in Europe

Politics and diplomacy: lessons from Donald Tusk's time as President of the European Council

The 2020 COVID pandemic has posed an unprecedented challenge to Europe’s economies, societies and political institutions. Finding solutions for the immediate and longer-term impact of the pandemic requires collaboration between the European Union’s (EU) member states and leadership from their governments at both national and European levels. The President of the European Council is central to this process, as he leads and facilitates the collaboration between the heads of states and governments. Looking back at the lessons from Donald Tusk’s time as President of the European Council from 2014 to 2019, this article argues that Tusk made an immensely important political contribution to the EU as he set the tone for a liberal and progressive agenda at a time of significant threat from populist and pro-Russian voices in Europe. However, with the recent political and institutional developments in the EU, and based on the insights from Mr Tusk’s successes and challenges, the article also argues that the role of the European Council President today requires strong brokering skills and leadership behind the scenes more than an openly political and public figure

Turn out or else: do referendum campaigns actually change voters’ minds?

Over £9m has been spent on leaflets for all British household outlining the arguments in favour of remaining in the EU. But do campaign activities actually sway voters in referendums? Would campaigners do best to try to change minds, or simply motivate their supporters to turn out at the polls? Which arguments will prove decisive? Sara Hobolt (left) and Sara Hagemann report on the expert evidence gathered at the eighth LSE Commission on the Future of Britain in Europe

Appeasing Eurosceptics? What’s really going on when Britain votes No in the Council of the EU

Those campaigning for a Leave vote in the EU referendum often state that the UK has never been on the winning side when it has voted against a proposal in the Council of the European Union. Remain campaigners, however, have responded by arguing that agreements are made by consensus in the Council and that the UK has a strong influence. Sara Hagemann, Sara Hobolt and Christopher Wratil (left to right) write that in reality, votes against a proposal in the Council act largely as signals to a government’s domestic audience, and this explains why UK governments have voted against proposals more than other member states

Does the UK lose out in the Council? How opposition to EU proposals acts as a signal to domestic audiences

Those campaigning for a leave vote in Britain’s upcoming referendum often state that the UK has never been on the winning side when it has voted against a proposal in the Council of the European Union. Remain campaigners, however, have responded by arguing that agreements are made by consensus in the Council and that the UK has a strong level of influence. Sara Hagemann, Sara B. Hobolt and Christopher Wratil write that in reality votes against a proposal in the Council act largely as signals to a government’s domestic audience, and this explains why UK governments have voted against proposals more than other member states