One of the main political issues plaguing the UK at the moment is the potential referendum on the UK leaving the EU, this has been pushed by Eurosceptics on both Conservative backbenches and also shown through the large number of votes and support of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) at the general election in 2015.
The purpose behind this study is to understand and evaluate the potential consequences of the United Kingdom (UK) leaving the European Union (EU) on the UK’s economic, political and social landscape.
The study will investigate the UK’s relationship and identity with Europe including past referenda and treaties to analyse the public’s opinion on the issue while also concluding that the UK could gain some major benefits such as international trade and a control on immigration from leaving the EU but may lose out on the shaping of Europe, while potentially losing its gateway to Europe status for trade unless the UK’s position could be renegotiated to include continued free trade with Europe. This study is important to be conducted due to the significance of an impending referendum by 2016/17 and is thereby important to evaluate in a non-biased way a guidance for the public to make up their mind.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 1.1 General Introduction:
- 1.2 Objectives of this study:
- 1.3 Structure of the thesis:
- 2. Literature Review
- 2.1 Introduction.........
- 2.2 History of Referenda:
- 2.3 History of Opinion Polls:
- 2.4 Impact on the UK Economy of Leaving the EU:.
- 3. Methodology
- 3.1 Introduction:
- 3.2 Data Source:........
- 3.3 SWOT Analysis of the UK leaving the EU on businesses:
- 4. Findings..........\n
- 4.1 Results of the YouGov Poll:
- 4.2 Results of SWOT Analysis:
- 5. Conclusion.
- 5.1 Summary:
- 5.2 Evaluation:..\n
Objectives and Key Themes
This study aims to understand and evaluate the potential consequences of the UK leaving the EU on the UK's economic, political, and social landscape. The study investigates the UK's relationship and identity with Europe, exploring past referenda and treaties, public opinion, and the potential benefits and drawbacks of leaving the EU.- The UK's relationship with Europe, including past referenda and treaties
- Public opinion on the issue of leaving the EU
- The potential economic impact of leaving the EU on the UK
- The potential political and social consequences of leaving the EU
- The potential benefits and drawbacks of leaving the EU for the UK
Chapter Summaries
- Chapter 1 introduces the subject of the study, outlining the objectives and structure of the thesis. It highlights the significance of the impending referendum and emphasizes the importance of a non-biased evaluation of the issue.
- Chapter 2 provides a comprehensive literature review, delving into the history of referenda and opinion polls in relation to the UK's membership in the EU. It explores the impact of leaving the EU on the UK economy, drawing upon existing research and analysis.
- Chapter 3 outlines the methodology employed in the study, specifying the data sources and the SWOT analysis framework used to assess the potential impact of leaving the EU on businesses.
- Chapter 4 presents the findings of the study, analyzing the results of the YouGov poll and the SWOT analysis. This chapter provides empirical evidence and insights into the potential consequences of the UK leaving the EU.
- Chapter 5 concludes the study, summarizing the key findings and offering an evaluation of the arguments presented. It highlights the importance of understanding the complexities of the issue and the potential implications for the UK's future.
Keywords
This study focuses on the UK's relationship with the EU, analyzing the potential consequences of a UK exit. The core concepts include referenda, public opinion, economic impact, political and social consequences, and the benefits and drawbacks of leaving the EU. Important terms and concepts include the UK Independence Party (UKIP), Euroscepticism, free trade, immigration, and the shaping of Europe.Frequently Asked Questions
What are the potential economic impacts of the UK leaving the EU?
The study evaluates potential benefits like independent international trade agreements but also highlights risks such as losing free trade status and the "gateway to Europe" position for businesses.
How does immigration influence the Brexit debate?
Control over immigration is identified as a major perceived benefit for those favoring leaving the EU, as it allows the UK to set its own border and migration policies independently.
What role did the UK Independence Party (UKIP) play in the referendum push?
UKIP's significant support in the 2015 general election and the pressure from Eurosceptic Conservative backbenchers were key political drivers for proposing the referendum.
What is a SWOT analysis in the context of Brexit?
The study uses a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) to assess how leaving the EU would specifically impact UK businesses and the broader economy.
Will the UK lose its influence in shaping Europe after leaving?
The analysis suggests that a major drawback of leaving the EU is the loss of the UK's voice in the decision-making processes that shape European regulations and policies.
How was public opinion measured in this study?
The research utilizes data from YouGov polls and analyzes historical referenda and opinion polls to understand the public's shifting stance on EU membership.
- Quote paper
- William Garner (Author), 2015, Would the UK Benefit from Leaving the EU at the Next Proposed Referendum?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/313141
