Moving beyond Brexit: a case study of citizen narratives on the future of UK-EU Relations

Abstract

Conceptualising current UK-EU relations as a process of external differentiated integration, this paper explores UK citizen policy preferences for future UK-EU relations. Instead of drawing on public opinion polls, the research employs narrative analysis of data collected through qualitative interviews between December 2023 and November 2024; foregrounding citizen views and facilitating a nuanced understanding of attitudes towards UK-EU relations and European integration. It also explores the factors that underpin these public attitudes. The research finds that there is broad consensus across the Brexit divide for closer ties with the EU, particularly in three urgent areas of concern: trade, security and defence. This support is broad but contingent on changing domestic and international contexts. Leave participants largely remain opposed to any agreement perceived to threaten UK regulatory and political ‘sovereignty.’ While Remain participants want to return to EU membership, many have become sceptical that re-accession is worth pursuing.