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1 results

  • 5 - Britain and Europe

  • from Part I - Five Case Studies of Acts of Union and Disunion
  • Sionaidh Douglas-Scott, Queen Mary University of London
  • Book:
    Brexit, Union, and Disunion
    Published online:
    26 October 2023
    Print publication:
    09 November 2023, pp 254-294

  • Summary

    Lord Bingham noted that the Common Law was not an isolated island, and that English law had always shown a receptiveness to ‘the experience and learning of others’. Brexit might appear to have set back that optimism. However, British relations with continental Europe are deep and historical. British lawyers played a very strong role in the creation and founding of the European Convention on Human Rights, so ECHR rights (now incorporated in the Human Rights Act) are not alien, foreign devices. Furthermore, Britain was not forced into EEC membership, but joined voluntarily, persisting after its first two applications were rejected by General de Gaulle, because it perceived that it would be socially and economically enriched by such membership – a perception that turned out to be accurate. EU membership also provided an external support system for UK devolution, facilitating common approaches within the UK and conciliation between the UK and Ireland. The EU and ECHR provided external guarantees and entrenchment of human rights, many of which are now at risk post-Brexit.